Chief General Counsel - Color of Change
About The Position
Color Of Change is the nation's largest online racial justice organization. We help people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by millions of members, we campaign on issues of criminal justice, economic justice, voter freedom, big tech, and culture change, and work to move decision-makers in corporations and governments to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America. Visit www.colorofchange.org to learn more. The Chief General Counsel (CGC) is Color Of Change’s principal legal authority and trusted strategic advisor to the President & CEO, Executive Leadership Team, and Board of Directors. This is a builder role. The CGC will design and lead the organization’s legal function from the ground up, establishing the legal infrastructure that protects Color Of Change’s advocacy, people, funding, and public integrity. The CGC owns enterprise legal strategy across governance, compliance, labor, risk management, grants, contracts, and outside counsel, while serving as a core thought partner in high-stakes advocacy and organizational decision-making.
Requirements
- 10+ years of senior legal experience, ideally as General Counsel or Deputy GC.
- Demonstrated ability to operate as the primary legal authority within complex, mission-driven organizations.
- Deep experience in nonprofit governance, advocacy environments, or regulated sectors.
- Strong background in employment and labor law preferred.
- Exceptional judgment, discretion, and executive communication skills.
- Commitment to racial justice and the mission of Color Of Change.
Responsibilities
- Executive Legal Leadership & Strategic Advisory Serve as principal legal advisor to the President & CEO, Executive Leadership Team, and Board.
- Translate complex legal risk into clear, practical guidance that enables bold, values-driven action.
- Advise on legal implications of advocacy campaigns, corporate accountability efforts, organizational growth, and strategic partnerships.
- Act as a thought partner in moments of crisis.
- Governance & Organizational Compliance Oversee legal compliance across affiliated 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) entities.
- Advise on nonprofit corporate governance, board policies, fiduciary obligations, and regulatory requirements.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, including lobbying and political activity regulations.
- Lead Form 990 governance review and charitable registration oversight.
- Grant & Funder Compliance Advise on legal and compliance requirements tied to restricted and unrestricted funding.
- Partner with Finance and Development teams to ensure adherence to grant terms, reporting obligations, and use-of-funds requirements.
- Prepare the organization for audits, funder diligence, and regulatory reviews.
- Design internal controls and compliance systems to support philanthropic stewardship.
- Employment & Labor Law Provide strategic counsel on employment law, investigations, workplace policies, and personnel matters.
- Partner with People & Culture leadership on labor relations, union engagement, and collective bargaining.
- Balance legal protection with equity-centered people practices.
- Contracts & Transactions Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of agreements, including vendor and consulting agreements, partnerships and sponsorships, data and technology agreements, and fiscal sponsorships and campaign collaborations.
- Establish enterprise contract standards and review workflows and approval thresholds.
- Outside Counsel & Legal Operations Build and manage a high-performing external counsel network.
- Determine which work remains outsourced versus internalized.
- Oversee legal budgets and ensure cost-effective, high-quality legal support.
- Implement legal operations systems that scale with organizational growth.
- Risk Management & Crisis Response Proactively identify and mitigate legal, regulatory, and operational risk.
- Design enterprise risk management frameworks.
- Lead legal response during crises or investigations.
- Conduct post-crisis governance and systems review.
Benefits
- Color Of Change offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; 401(k) retirement plan; generous paid time off; paid holidays; and paid family leave.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
Education Level
No Education Listed
