Associate General Counsel & Director of Compliance

JOB SUMMARY

The primary responsibilities of the Associate General Counsel (AGC) & Director of Compliance include providing legal counsel and advice to the association (and its affiliates) on effective compliance with applicable data privacy, legal and regulatory requirements in all applicable jurisdictions where the association does business. This includes establishing frameworks, developing, and maintaining an efficient privacy program and compliance function as well as oversight responsibility to review and update ACC policies and procedures. The AGC & Director will also provide legal counsel and support the association to establish and manage a licensing strategy that encompasses both ACC proprietary information and ACC use of third parties’ copyrighted material in advancement of ACC strategic objectives.

The AGC & Director will assign tasks and oversee the legal work completed by the Office of General Counsel staff (a Sr. Manager & Assistant General Counsel and a Paralegal) to ensure the effective and timely provision of legal advice and counsel on all matters affecting ACC. This will include presenting to ACC staff, members, stakeholders, and volunteer leaders on compliance with laws, regulations, and ACC policies and procedures. Additionally, the AGC & Director may from time to time be requested to act as Assistant Secretary to the ACC Board of Directors.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Enhance and implement the privacy program and compliance function and program at ACC. Monitor and report compliance issues and concerns to senior management. Identify strategic, operational, and systemic compliance related issues both internally and externally. Negotiate with and influences stakeholders to resolve issues and implement solutions to mitigate risks.
• Keep abreast of developing global legal issues, rules and regulations for information technology, data privacy and vendor management to provide counsel to ACC on changes in law and modify policies and procedures as appropriate.
• Provide reports and memoranda, as requested, to senior management of the operations and progress of compliance efforts, and other legal issues.
• Coordinate with the Content division and other stakeholders to develop and implement a licensing strategy for ACC proprietary information and manage ACC’s use of third parties’ copyrighted material.
• Responsible for providing counsel on a variety of legal issues, including but not limited to drafting and reviewing contracts and leases, handle employee related matters, intellectual property and tax issues affecting ACC as a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization, and the legal, governance and corporate issues affecting its various chapters/divisions in the United States and overseas, and other legal matters as necessary.
• Enhance and manage procedures for ongoing vendor risk assessment and competitive bidding practices.
• Serve as Assistant Secretary to the Board of Directors. The duties will include taking minutes, drafting reports, including disclosures and financial reporting, and other board materials. Assist CLO with committee management.
• Serve as a point of contact and resource for legal issues for ACC, ACC non-US offices, and ACC foreign and domestic chapters.
• Develop, implement, and provide oversight into the creation of the corporate entities for the international chapters/divisions in line with ACC’s strategic global expansion efforts.
• Support the CLO as liaison to the Risk Management Committee of the board. Duties will include assisting with the enterprise risk management and crisis management programs.
• Managing the annual legal audit of ACC and its affiliated organizations to draft the legal opinion letter that the Chief Legal Officer annually delivers to the Risk Management Committee and ACC Board of Directors.
• Develop and monitor the department’s annual budget, inclusive of contract, risk and crisis management, privacy program and compliance function, as well as other the internal workings of the Office of General Counsel. Effective management of the budget includes taking affirmative steps to address and manage costs.
• Author resources and speak on programs on topics of interest to the in-house counsel community.

EDUCATION

Juris Doctorate or LLM from an accredited U.S. university, Bar membership within the U.S. is required, preferably in Washington, DC

WORK EXPERIENCE

• 10 years of legal experience as a licensed attorney with a minimum of five (5) years as in-house counsel is required. Trade association experience working with members is also required.
• Must have 5 years of experience working in privacy, compliance, and copyright licensing.
• Must have a strong ability to assess risk and quickly separate high from low-risk issues and provide necessary time and resources to mitigate the risks appropriately.
• Experience with both domestic and international commercial arrangements (contracts, incorporation, mergers) is a plus.

COMPETENCIES (KSAs)

• Excellent analytical, research, and problem-solving skills combined with a strong knowledge of international legal matters.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to get along with diverse constituencies and personalities, including the Board, members, committee chairs, chapter directors, staff, and contacts at external organizations.
• Can successfully direct significant courses of action on behalf of ACC; and make important and well-thought-out decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new areas of the law and business skills, including business analytics.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with a desire to write materials of interest to members for publication.
• Able to work with a high degree of independence, with minimum supervision, as well as collaborate well with colleagues and other contacts. Can maintain composure and critical thinking skills under pressure.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

One (1) direct report: Sr. Manager & Assistant General Counsel

LANGUAGES

ACC seeks to hire multi-lingual candidates. Fluency in English is required, and a second language is preferred.

TRAVEL

Travel as needed.

SALARY RANGE

$152,150 to $179,000 - When determining a salary offer, consideration is given to candidates that possess minimum requirements and preferred qualifications.

WHAT ACC PROVIDES YOU

• The flexibility of a hybrid schedule (only two days in the office on either Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday) and remaining days you can work from home. Staff working in the Washington, DC office must reside in the DMV area.
• Competitive base salary and benefits including:
  • 23 PTO days, 11 holidays, and a paid one-week end of year break
  • 401K match, annual bonus, and an additional annual employer retirement contribution
  • Subsidized healthcare plans, you can choose from an HMO, PPO, or HSA plan
• Office conveniently located in downtown Washington, DC with an onsite fitness center and easy access to the Metro Center station.

ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION

The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) is a global bar association that promotes the professional and business interests of in-house counsel who work for corporations, associations, and other organizations. We support our members by delivering a mix of relevant, timely services including information, education, networking, and advocacy.

We work diligently to anticipate and understand the needs of the in-house bar, help members deliver services to their corporate clients efficiently, promote the value of in-house services, and influence the practice of law as it affects the in-house bar.

With more than 47,000 members employed by over 10,000 organizations in 100 countries, ACC connects its members to each other and to the people and resources necessary for their personal and professional growth.

ACC is an Equal Opportunity Employer