General Counsel

KIPP Foundation • New York, NY

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The General Counsel sets the legal and governance strategy for KIPP Foundation and the network of KIPP schools, partnering with the Board and senior leadership team. As a strategic partner to the CEO and senior leadership, the General Counsel directs the Foundation’s response to legal, policy, and regulatory matters affecting the mission. This position provides a blend of both legal and business services enabling KIPP Foundation to reach its mission. The General Counsel will be a seasoned litigator and strategic counselor, drawing on experience in high-stakes, high-performance legal environments. This is a hands-on partnership role with the CEO — the right candidate brings sharp legal judgment, comfort with candor and rigor, and the credibility to push back when needed. The General Counsel is expected to work closely and effectively with board members.

Requirements

• J.D. required, with a record of high-stakes legal work in environments known for rigor and excellence
• Litigation experience required; corporate and transactional counseling experience is a plus.
• Demonstrated expertise across the substantive areas relevant to KIPP's work: education law, employment, labor, IP, compliance, general corporate law, and charitable organizations tax law.
• Senior leadership experience at a national scale, with a track record of leading effectively across functions and geographies; in-house or government leadership experience preferred.
• Proven ability to lead and influence through ambiguity and significant change - restructures, strategy pivots, regulatory shifts, without sacrificing team culture or execution quality.
• Experience owning a complex budget that balances short-term delivery with long-term capacity building.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a high-performance culture built on candor, rigor, and direct feedback.
• Deep commitment to education equity and to KIPP's mission, including a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Nice To Haves

• corporate and transactional counseling experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Foundation's response to high-stakes legal, regulatory, and reputational matters, including litigation, investigations, and politically sensitive issues affecting the network.
• Serve as a thought partner to the CEO on matters where legal, strategic, and reputational considerations intersect, exercising independent judgment and candid counsel.
• Set legal strategy in partnership with the CEO and senior leaders; direct the resolution of strategic matters with legal implications.
• Partner with the CEO and Board on all legal matters impacting KIPP Foundation; provide legal advice and support to all internal teams and leaders.
• Serve as a critical business partner to the office of the CEO in advancing the organization’s mission.
• Prepare reviews and negotiate contracts, legal documents, and business agreements; draft, review, and approve contracts between KIPP Foundation, vendors, service providers, as well as KIPP Schools and related entities.
• Ensure that KIPP Foundation conducts its operations according to applicable federal laws, state laws, and regulations including employment laws.
• Represent the Foundation before all legal forums including governmental and regulatory agencies, courts, and arbitration bodies; provide direction and oversight for government reviews, investigations, and other state entities.
• Facilitate and manage the appropriate use of outside counsel and coordinate legal operations and issues as needed.
• Oversee corporate governance documents, including bylaws, for all KIPP Schools and related entities.
• Oversee 1023 Applications (Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code) and IRS responses for all KIPP Schools and related entities.
• Oversee leases, service agreements, license agreements, and other legal documents for KIPP National and all KIPP Schools and related entities.
• Provide legal analysis and counsel regarding various issues (including employment and real property) for KIPP National and all KIPP Schools and related entities.
• Oversee regular legal training for KIPP School Fellows, School Leaders, and National staff.
• Monitor and review federal and state legislation concerning charter schools.
• Provide people and performance management for one direct report, the Associate Counsel

Benefits

• 25 holidays for + 18 days additional flexible PTO days (flexible PTO increases to 23 days for years 3 and 4 and to 28 days for years 5+).
• 100% paid parental leave
• 100% coverage of the premium for employee and 75% for employee + family’s medical/dental/vision plans.
• Wellness benefits such as fitness reimbursements, discounted tickets to theme parks/attractions, backup care support for children and adults/elders, and our employee assistance program
• Finance Security benefits include such as a 401K retirement plan with 4% match, employer-sponsored legal plans, life/disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree