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The Job Title: VP & General Counsel
The Company: GIA is the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA is a global organization with headquarters located in Carlsbad, CA. GIA in Carlsbad boasts a 17-acre ocean view campus that accommodates approximately 600 of its 3,000 total employees worldwide. It offers many competitive health and commuter benefits that promote the well-being of its employees as well as that of the environment. Click here to learn more about GIA!
The Location: This position is located in Carlsbad, California at our corporate headquarters.
The Environment:
On-site cafe - affordable custom breakfast and lunch meals and Starbucks drinks!
Economic friendly services - electric vehicle charging stations on-site
Ergonomic assessments offered on-site and virtually
The Culture: We foster an environment of autonomy, performance, and passion. Our team members collaborate extensively across various departments, providing high-quality service to internal staff, stakeholders, and the organization as a whole. We value initiative, cross-functional cooperation, and a commitment to excellence in all our endeavors.
What to expect:
We offer competitive medical, dental, vision and matching 401-K plans
Paid vacation, sick and holidays, tuition assistance, commuter benefits
GIA’s Legal Affairs Team is the Institute’s dedicated in-house law firm, policy consultant, thought partner and all-around advisor. The team helps GIA do the right thing the right way, make better decisions, understand and manage risks, and creatively navigate challenges.
GIA’s Legal Affairs team is responsible for overseeing all the Institute’s global legal matters and programs. We champion GIA’s mission and strategies, role-model its values, and protect our Institute in concert with our colleagues. We're a small and high-performing team with a great culture and a passion for delivering big-impact results. We're seeking a General Counsel to join and lead our team. This role will report to GIA’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
JOB DESCRIPTIONGIA’s General Counsel is a corporate legal generalist capable of delivering and managing high quality, responsive legal support to all of GIA’s global operations. This role serves as a senior member of the executive team and is the chief legal advisor for the Institute. This role works closely with all members of the global leadership team including the President and CEO, our Board of Governors and senior management. Our General Counsel is responsible for addressing legal risk and oversees the Institute’s legal services including the negotiation of key contracts and agreements, litigation, privacy, employment matters, intellectual property, and other advisory services. GIA’s General Counsel oversees global corporate governance and will serve as the Corporate Secretary to GIA US.
The General Counsel works closely with the Institute’s Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer to ensure employees understand our core values and the principles outlined in GIA’s Code of Conduct as well as legal mandates in order to allow the Institute to operate in compliance with the law and in accordance with its mission at all global locations. It is planned that GIA’s Ethics and Compliance function will be transitioning to the General Counsel.
ACCOUNTABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES- Counsel the President and CEO, as well senior leadership on matters arising under U.S. law and provide guidance on matters arising under the laws of the Institute’s global locations in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
- Working with the Manager of Global Corporate Governance, implement good corporate governance for GIA US and its subsidiary boards and committees. Manage the planning of Board and Committee meetings, and act as legal advisor to the Board of Governors. Ensure compliance with applicable organization documents (articles of incorporation, bylaws, charters, etc.)
- In coordination with GIA’s Finance and Tax Departments, facilitate compliance with all corporate legal requirements including IRC 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization laws and regulations.
- Oversee litigation strategy in concert with the President and CEO and executive leadership and oversee the management of ongoing litigation.
- Report to the Audit and Risk Committee of the Board on litigation and other matters of material risk.
- Leverage GIA’s enterprise risk management framework and risk thresholds to support business colleagues in effective decision-making, smart risk taking, and risk mitigation with regard to legal risks.
- Provide legal support as requested to business functions including labor and employment matters, mergers/acquisitions, real estate negotiation, contract negotiation and support, intellectual property and general corporate matters.
- Oversee the Institute’s Privacy Program, corporate policy program and document retention practices.
- Oversee the Institute’s Ethics and Compliance team and program.
- Coordinate staff training on a wide range of legal matters.
- Manage relationships with outside attorneys providing corporate advice and assistance.
- Other duties and responsibilities as assigned or required.
You are a respected and collaborative enterprise leader whose orientation is the larger organization. Your expertise and education are essential in helping guide and lead the legal and compliance teams to contribute to enterprise results. You demonstrate the utmost integrity and a growth mindset. You are a team player and have effective relational skills that are visible internally and externally. You have strong business and industry experience and acumen.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE- Juris Doctorate degree awarded from recognized university and admission to the Bar in California.
- MBA degree is desirable.
- Minimum of 15 years relevant experience at a law firm and/or in-house corporate legal department preferably with a non-profit organization.
- Experience working in a global organization including corporate work, and preferably awareness of global tax/litigation matters.
- Experience managing legal issues relating to contracts, real estate, lease agreements, and financial and business transactions.
- Experience managing a regulatory and compliance program including anti-money laundering, international trade controls, U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, U.K. Bribery Act, Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctions and data privacy.
- Experience with higher education law and labor/employment law a plus.
- Experience leading teams of legal and non-legal professionals.
- Demonstrated ability to build relationships and become a trusted advisor and resource for colleagues throughout a global organization as well as to be credible with outside counsel, board members, the industry, outside affiliations and members of the public.
- Builds effective teams. Experience managing others and bringing out the best talent in employees. Influences without authority to lead others who may not be in direct reporting lines, for example, peers and more senior team members.
- Teaches and mentors others. Invests in helping others learn, understand and acquire knowledge. Strives for transparency and shares knowledge and expertise.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. Assesses the risks of complex multi-location operations and provides options to manage these risks. Frames and explains complex topics that allow business leaders to understand the risks and tradeoffs to make effective decisions.
- Outstanding attention to detail while meeting multiple, tight deadlines.
- Demonstrated business acumen reflected in delivery of legal support and guidance that highlights an understanding of the business issues and / or complexities.
- Excellent verbal and written communication; ability to articulate important legal concerns/principles to non-legal business units.
- Proactively keeps apprised of trends and developments in the industry.
- Ability to understand, synthesize and manage conflicts of law and regulatory policy across multiple global locations.
- Demonstrates curiosity and willingness to challenge self and others to learn and evolve regardless of situation or context.
- Focuses on outcomes and demonstrates ownership and accountability for results beyond individual or team.
- Demonstrates the ability to bounce back when faced with challenges and setbacks. Inspires others to stay the course by keeping mission and purpose front and center at all times.
Posting range: $370k - 460k
An Equal Opportunity Employer
All employment decisions are made without regard to unlawful considerations of race, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected status. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.
Disclaimer: This job description indicates in general terms, the type and level of work performed as well as the typical responsibilities of employees in this classification and it may be changed by management at any time. Other duties may also apply. Nothing in this job description changes the at-will employment relationship existing between the Company and its employees.
- $370,000 - $460,000
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