General Counsel

NCInnovation Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

NCInnovation, Inc. in Research Triangle Park, NC, seeks a General Counsel reporting to the CEO to oversee the organization’s legal matters, including corporate law, contracts, risk management, compliance, and regulatory affairs, and to counsel management and the Board.

The role leads public policy and legislative affairs, works with outside counsel, ensures licenses, and oversees reporting to Officers, Directors, and oversight bodies while fostering ethical conduct and partnerships.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and ABA-accredited law degree
• Active membership in the NC State Bar
• Minimum of five years of relevant work experience
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel to Officers and Directors on all legal matters
• Draft and review legal documents including contracts and agreements
• Develop and execute the organization’s legal strategy
• Coordinate with outside counsel as needed
• Oversee licenses, permits, and related regulatory filings
• Lead public policy and legislative affairs efforts
• Ensure risk, ethics, and compliance oversight and reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree and ABA-accredited law degree

Active NC State Bar membership

Five years of relevant experience

Excellent verbal and written communication

Job description

Reporting to the CEO, the General Counsel shall have overall responsibility for the organization’s legal matters, to include general corporate law and contracts; public policy and legislative affairs; risk management, compliance, and regulatory affairs; and providing counsel to management and the organization’s Board of Directors and Committees. The General Counsel will serve as the organization’s risk, ethics, and compliance oversight.

Responsibilities

General Counsel will be responsible for the following:

General Corporate Law

• Provide legal counsel and guidance to the organization’s Officers and Directors on all legal matters, ensuring NCI operates with the highest levels of accountability, transparency, and in accordance with its authorizing legislation at all times
• Draft and review legal documents, including contracts, leases, engagement letters, grant agreements and awards, vendor agreements, and related legal instruments
• Develop and execute the organization’s legal strategy, and represent NCI in all legal proceedings
• Work with outside counsel as needed on technical, regulatory compliance, human resource, and other matters requiring external advisor support
• File and maintain all required business and non-profit licenses, permits, and related forms as required by law

Public Policy and Legislative Affairs

• Provide leadership and counsel regarding key legislative and public affairs matters
• Liaise with government relations teams and provide direction on overall government affairs strategies and tactics
• Remain abreast of state and national policy developments affecting the organization’s mission and activities

Risk Management, Compliance, and Reporting

• Provide primary risk, ethics, and compliance oversight for the organization, ensuring enterprise risks are assessed, mitigated, and monitored in a coordinated manner
• Provide counsel on and have primary responsibility for potential conflicts of interest and adherence to the organization’s related policies and procedures
• Ensure compliance with North Carolina’s Open Meetings Law and Public Records Act, and coordinate with the Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer regarding all requests for public records
• Liaise with outside advisors and provide direction to NCI staff to ensure the organization is compliant with all activities and reporting as required by law
• Oversee the preparation and delivery of all periodic updates and reports to Officers, Directors, or oversight organizations as requested or required by law

Requirements

The General Counsel must be well organized, flexible, and enjoy the challenges of working in a dynamic organization; must demonstrate a high level of professionalism and discretion; and be able to interact with stakeholders at all levels in a fast-paced environment while remaining proactive, resourceful, and efficient. The General Counsel will participate in a cooperative work environment while demonstrating the highest standards of moral and ethical conduct. Requires a proven ability to develop and leverage partnerships and relationships; expert written and verbal communication skills; independent decision-making; exceptional time management; and proactive attention to detail.

Qualifications

General Counsel should possess the following minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and American Bar Association-accredited law degree
• Active membership in the North Carolina State Bar
• Minimum of five years of relevant work experience, including but not limited to experience in local, state, and/or federal government policymaking and legislative affairs, regulatory compliance, or related roles
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills

NCI offers competitive compensation based on experience, to include a comprehensive benefit package with flexible paid time off; employer-sponsored medical, dental, and vision insurance; disability; and a 401(k) plan.

NCInnovation, Inc. (NCI) is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Research Triangle Park, NC. NCI was created to acceleratethe commercialization, capital formation needs, and scale of innovative research from North Carolina universities. Backed by more than $25M in corporate contributions from companies including Bank of America, Duke Energy, Truist,Wells Fargo, and SAS, and through an endowment established by the NC General Assembly, NCI is building the partnerships, organizational, and grant management capabilities to deploy state resources into infrastructure, applied research funding, and capital investments to position North Carolina as first-in-the-country in innovation.

NCInnovation is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion and strives to recruit a diverse slate of candidates to help us achieve that goal.