LightEn
Location
Asheville, NC | United States
Job description
LightEn is a philanthropic organisation and educational platform that signposts pathways with the potential to raise consciousness and help humanity embody the highest levels of love and wisdom. LightEn pursues three main pathways: curating and creating exceptional educational content, and making that content available to all free of charge; providing grants to support the work of individuals and organisations inspired by its vision; and facilitating courses and retreats at locations in London (UK), Asheville, North Carolina (USA) and Mallorca (Spain). LightEn conducts its work through four separate entities operating in three countries, including a US-based 501(c)3 and a UK-registered charity. LightEn is funded by and maintains a coöperating relationship with The Children's Investment Fund.
LightEn is rapidly expanding its footprint and activities. With its new centre in North America set to open in 2025, construction to extend its headquarters in London under way, and significant plans taking shape along each of its pathways, LightEn is now building leadership across all dimensions to help guide, manage, and grow the organisation and its reach.
About the Opportunity
LightEn has engaged OE Consulting to conduct a search for a general counsel, based in the United States. The position represents an exceptional opportunity for an enterprising and sophisticated legal professional with an open heart to play a significant part in realising the potential of LightEn's complex and ambitious program and organisation.
Summary of role and responsibilities
As LightEn's chief legal officer, the General Counsel (GC) acts as an expert legal advisor on all matters including non-profit and corporate governance, labour and employment, information technology, tax, real estate, intellectual property, and risk management. The GC serves as a member of the organisation's senior management committee, and supports the chief executive and colleagues in achieving business and philanthropic goals and outcomes in the context of evolving legal and regulatory environments, and consistent with LightEn's values and consummate ethical standards. The GC maintains LightEn's status and ensures its operations in compliance with applicable law, including by anticipating and advising on potential or pending legal developments; and helps ensure that the organisation meets or exceeds industry standards and current best practises throughout its activities and endeavours. The GC provides leadership for the legal department and the enterprise by modelling LightEn's approach and values of reflection, collaboration, and soul-infused action; and by promoting conditions within which colleagues are encouraged and supported to do so throughout their own practises.
Responsibilities
Advice, risk, and compliance
Serve as an expert advisor to the chief executive, the Board, and senior leadership colleagues on legal matters, and contribute to organisational decision-making in all business domains;
Evaluate legal risk and contribute to risk evaluation and management across business units, programs, and activities;
Monitor applicable business legislation and regulations, including law pertaining to non-profit governance; labour and employment, intellectual property, taxes, and hospitality; educate and advise organisation leaders and colleagues on changes that may be indicated for policy or conduct;
Advise, ensure compliance, and coördinate all legal aspects of the organisation's structure and operations, currently comprising several legal entities in three countries, including a CIO in the UK and a 501(c)3 in the US that will operate an educational centre and campus in North Carolina (opening in 2025);
Review and draft contracts and agreements; negotiate, document, and assist with the negotiation and documentation of terms and conditions, including those relating to complex transactions across multiple legal environments and jurisdictions;
Contribute to audit, external and internal review processes and associated external relationships, such as those with regulators and consultants;
Engage and manage legal and other specialist consultants as indicated.
Management and organisation building
Build and maintain a comprehensive, service-oriented legal department and function;
Pursue and track progress against strategic and operational goals and intended outcomes, consistent with those of the organisation and in collaboration with key colleagues;
Support ongoing internal initiatives to create a work environment and community of practise that is inclusive, responsive, and accountable to its goals and values;
Manage hiring, performance, and professional development of department staff.
Representation
Represent LightEn in legal submissions, negotiations, disputes, and mediations;
Advise on content of public statements, actions, and representations; brief colleagues making public appearances and representing LightEn in the media.
Organisational relationships
The General Counsel
reports to the chief executive of LightEn's Centre of Consciousness and Action (NC) with a 'dotted line' relationship to the chief executive of LightEn UK;
manages a UK-based Head of Legal;
consults with the chief administrative officer and chief of staff on a regular basis, and with other staff as indicated;
coördinates with counterparts at TCI Fund and other entities within LightEn's organisational framework; and
engages and manages specialist consultants as indicated.
Qualifications
LightEn invites expressions of interest from candidates with the expertise and ability to deliver against the above responsibilities, and has identified the following characteristics as indicative of the abilities, aptitudes, and dispositions that will make for success in this role:
10+ years' experience as a practising attorney in the US, preferentially with experience working in legal roles and contexts in the UK or Spain;
Licensed to practise law in the US; licensed or eligible to be licensed to practise law in the State of North Carolina;
Experience and interests across a variety of legal and business categories and domains;
Expertise in one or more of the following areas of law: foundations and non-profits; intellectual property, labour and employment, taxation, hospitality;
Experience providing legal advice to executives and boards;
Working familiarity with the legal dimensions and landscapes of at least two of following: international organisations, family offices, philanthropic foundations, publishing and media;
Experience and an appetite for working in a start-up and rapid growth organisation;
Personal affinity with LightEn's mission and approach.
Position Detail
Location
The General Counsel may work on a hybrid or remote basis from within North Carolina (preferred) or another location in the Eastern Time zone. The GC will be expected to attend the Asheville, North Carolina office on a regular basis, and to travel to the UK and Spain periodically.
Compensation
The anticipated base salary for the position is $380,000. The GC will be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus.
LightEn offers comprehensive employee benefits including health insurance; paid vacation and holidays; family leave; and a retirement plan with both automatic and matching employer contributions.
A final compensation package contemplating the above elements will be designed for the successful candidate.
How to Apply
LightEn has retained OE Consulting to support this search.
In order to apply, please submit a CV and thoughtful cover letter that explains your interest and addresses your relevant qualifications. Applicants may expect an email from OE Consulting confirming receipt.
Applications will be accepted through Friday, 22 March 2024. Semi-finalists for the position will be invited to interview with OE consultants in North Carolina, USA during the week of 1 April 2024. Those selected to proceed from these interviews will be invited to meet virtually with LightEn's search committee on 17 April. Finalists proceeding from interviews with the search committee will be invited to meet with LightEn leadership and staff in London during the week of 29 April 2024. Provisions and accommodations will be made to facilitate full participation for all candidates at each stage of the search process, including support for invited travel. LightEn expects to extend an offer and complete this search by 31 May 2024.
LightEn is an equal opportunity employer, and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds and affinities.
Please refrain from contacting LightEn about this opportunity, and direct any questions to OEConsulting by clicking Apply to this Job below. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the application period.
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