General Counsel

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry•Chicago, IL

9d•$200,000 - $220,000

About The Position

The General Counsel leads the Museum's legal function as its sole in-house attorney, offering a unique opportunity for broad responsibility, meaningful impact, and direct engagement with senior leadership and the Board of Trustees. The position combines hands-on legal work with strategic judgement and leverages outside counsel thoughtfully to enhance internal capabilities.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school; licensed and in good standing to practice law in the State of Illinois.
Minimum of ten (10) years of relevant legal experience; significant in-house experience and/or advising nonprofit organizations preferred.
Demonstrated experience advising executive leadership and boards on governance matters.
Strong background in contracts, employment and labor law, and general corporate matters.
Knowledge of laws and regulations impacting 501(c)(3) organizations, preferably within a cultural, educational, or mission-driven context.
Ability to be a strategic, pragmatic legal advisor with strong business acumen.
Hands-on, solution-oriented, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent written and communication skills with the ability to explain complex legal matters clearly and concisely.
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to prioritize effectively amid changing demands.
Demonstrated integrity, sound judgement, credibility, transparency, and a high-level of confidentiality.
Collaborative team player with a down-to-earth approach and strong interpersonal skills.
Intellectual curiosity with the ability to quickly develop expertise in new areas of law.
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, standard operating procedures, etc.
ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
Ability to speak effectively before groups of employees of the organization.
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as percentages, turnover rates, retention rates, etc.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel and talk or hear.
The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.
The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and taste or smell.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing an internal legal function and overseeing outside counsel preferred.
Familiarity with intellectual property, risk management, and insurance matters preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary advisor to the President and CEO and senior leadership team on all legal, regulatory, and risk-related matters.
Partner with executive leadership to support the Museum's mission, strategy, and business objectives while proactively identifying and mitigating legal risks.
Participate in the development of organizational policies, procedures, and programs, providing ongoing guidance on legal implications.
Serve as the General Counsel to the Board of Trustees, providing legal guidance on governance, fiduciary duties, and compliance.
Act as a staff liaison to the Nominating and Governance Committee.
Serve as the Museum's Chief Ethics Officer under the Code of Ethics including oversight of conflicts of interest and ethics reporting.
Retain, manage, and oversee outside counsel and specialized legal advisors to ensure high quality, cost-effective legal services.
Lead and coordinate legal strategy for litigation, disputes, and legal proceedings involving the Museum.
Review, draft, and negotiate a wide range of complex agreements across all Museum operations including: Exhibit fabrication and rentals Construction and facilities maintenance Artifact loans Intellectual property licensing Special events and education programs Fundraising and development activities Debt instruments and general commercial agreements
Advise on employment and labor matters, including union relations, collective bargaining agreements, and compliance with applicable employment laws.
Ensure organizational compliance with federal, state, and local laws affecting nonprofit organizations including 501(c)(3) requirements.
Identify and analyze legal and operational risks across the organization.
Maintain and oversee the Museum's property and casualty insurance portfolio.
Co-lead the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program in partnership with the CFO.
Provide legal counsel on copyright, trademarks, and other IP matters, particularly related to marketing, advertising, education programs, and exhibit development.
Develop a deep understanding of Museum operations and build trusted relationships across departments.
Translate complex legal issues into clear, practical guidance for non-legal stakeholders.
Other duties as assigned.