General Counsel

WHAT IS AVID?

We’re a nationally recognized nonprofit that partners with 8,000 schools across the country to shift to a more equitable, student-centered approach, closing the opportunity gap so that ALL students are prepared for college, career, and life. And the results? Well, they speak for themselves.

AVID provides 2.5 million students annually with the tools they need to think critically, collaborate, and set high expectations to confidently conquer the challenges that await them. We accomplish this work by training over 85,000 educators every year through in-person and virtual professional learning opportunities.

WHAT IS THE JOB?

The General Counsel is responsible for the development and execution of legal and compliance functions and risk mitigation for AVID Center. This role represents the organization on all legal matters, sets or reviews policies, and provides oversight and recommendations for regulatory compliance. The General Counsel advises senior leadership, the President and CEO, and Board of Directors.

WHY WORK WITH US?

• Competitive Salary: We've done our research and pay generously to attract the best to join our team. That's why we offer all employees the midpoint right from the start. There are no negotiations and no hassle, and you can be confident that you are being valued and offered an equitable salary. See below for our offer rates based on your geography.
  
  
• Taking Care of You Allowance: All AVID employees (that’s right, ALL employees) receive an extra $10,000 annually to support them in the most meaningful ways: housing costs, transportation, family expenses— whatever your needs may be.
  
  
• Retirement Planning: AVID Center provides a 10% salary contribution to a 403(b) retirement plan plus a $5,000 annual contribution to an exclusive 457(b) retirement plan, beginning after 90-days of full-time employment.*
  
  
• Flexibility in Work Location: This position may work 100% remote in any of the four times zones in the continental U.S., with an option for hybrid work at our San Diego campus.
  
  
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): This position is eligible for 27 days of PTO per year, with 12 paid holidays plus a winter break in between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
  
  
• Continued education opportunities: All full-time employees with at least 1 year of continuous AVID Center service are eligible for $5,250 per calendar year in tuition reimbursement for qualifying coursework or certification.
  
  
• Company-Provided Equipment: Our home office set-up includes a laptop, dock, and extra monitor, with other amenities available on request.
  
  
• Health and Welfare Plans to Support Every Aspect of Your Well-Being: AVID Center offers several benefits plans through our provider, Cigna, and greatly subsidizes the cost of these plans
  
  
• Connect in Person: A yearly All-Staff gathering will allow you to connect in person with the entire AVID team.

* Only director-level positions and above are eligible to participate in AVID's 457(b) retirement plan.

 

Pay rates for this position:

We bring in all employees at the midpoint of the salary range for your role. Knowing that not all cities share the same cost of labor, we make offers using a tiered approach based on your geographical location. While the majority reside in Zone 1 or Zone 2 areas, we acknowledge variations, even within counties, ensuring fair compensation for all based on their specific location's cost of labor.

For the General Counsel position, here is what we will offer:

Zone 1 (areas characterized by lower labor costs [e.g., Charleston, WV, Cleveland, OH, Phoenix, AZ, Omaha, NE, etc.]): $206,683 annually

Zone 2 (areas with moderate labor costs [e.g., Syracuse, NY, Ann Arbor, MI, Denver, CO, San Diego, CA, etc.]): $222,184 annually

Zone 3 (areas known for high labor costs [e.g., Washington, D.C., Trenton, NJ, Los Angeles, CA, Seattle, WA, etc.]): $237,685 annually

Zone 4 (areas with the highest labor costs [e.g., Bridgeport, CT, New York City, NY, San Francisco, CA, San Jose, CA, etc.]): $263,521 annually

*The specific cities listed above are examples of cities that fall within the respective salary zone. This is not an exhaustive list of cities.

 

WHAT WILL YOU DO IN THIS ROLE?

• Provide legal advisory, policy, general employment, and compliance recommendations. 
• Prepare, review, and negotiate contracts, requests for proposals, and agreements. 
• Evaluate legal documents and contracts to limit risk and maximize benefits. 
• Review and advise executives and department leaders on contract issues and agreements. 
• Represent the organization in support of federal and state regulations. 
• Monitor compliance and changes to regulations, promulgating updates/changes to the organization. 
• Collaborate with departments to ensure any public facing materials are compliant with laws, regulations and AVID’s bylaws and policies. 
• Implement and operate base level risk guidelines. 
• Judge the merits and risks of internal investigations, allegations, disputes, and court cases involving AVID, work with the appropriate executive(s) to define a strategic defense, suggest alternative dispute resolution where appropriate, and manage matters with outside counsel to approve settlements of disputes where warranted. 
• Maintain a current knowledge of legal issues of importance to AVID through ongoing research, participation in continuing legal education and membership in appropriate bar and professional associations. 
• Serve as lawyer/legal advisor on business and insurance issues / claims related to general or professional liability, workers compensation claims, and any other claim arising out of the operation of the organization. 
• Create and maintain effectiveness of compliance programs. 
• Provide support and counsel regarding board activity and communications. 
• Provide education or training on current, proposed or pending legislation or regulations that affect operations and identify operational obstacles to compliance and implement solutions. 

 

WHO ARE YOU?

• You are a strategist who can set direction and achieve desired outcomes while balancing risk and compliance.
• You are an advisor who confidently provides legal analysis and guidance to senior leaders.
• You are an expert across multiple legal domains including business, labor, nonprofit, intellectual property, real estate, and appellate law.
• You are a leader with integrity, respected for your professionalism, ethics, and ability to inspire trust at all levels of the organization.
• You are proactive, always one step ahead, anticipating legal issues and crafting strategic solutions to maintain compliance.
• You are detail-obsessed, ensuring compliance across every policy, contract, and public-facing material, while staying agile to adapt to regulatory changes.
• You have an advanced law degree such as a Juris Doctor (JD) and are licensed to practice law in California, with over 10 years of experience as corporate or senior counsel.
• You have a solid foundation in regulatory compliance, employment law, and labor relations, ready to lead internal investigations, drive dispute resolutions, and oversee robust compliance programs.

 

NICE TO HAVES?

• Employment law experience
• Nonprofit law experience

 

*Allowable Substitutions: Any combination of experience, training, or credential certification endorsement that provides the incumbent/applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability required to perform the work, as determined by AVID Center. Qualifying work experience, as identified by the Senior Director, Human Resources, may substitute for the education requirement.

AVID Center is committed to complying with federal, state, and local laws on employee vaccinations, and candidates and employees should be aware that the full vaccination against COVID-19 may be required in the future. Due to some district requirements, AVID Center may not assign employees to an in-person event in schools or districts unless they are fully up to date with all recommended COVID-19 vaccinations. AVID Center is an equal opportunity employer and will provide reasonable accommodation to those unable to be vaccinated where it is not an undue hardship to the company to do so as provided under federal, state, and local law.

AVID Center prides itself on the diversity of our workplace and continuously seeks to recruit individuals who will enhance this diversity and, ultimately, the effectiveness of our organization. To demonstrate this commitment, we encourage all who are truly excited about this role to apply, even if they don’t meet every requirement. We believe that people who are passionate about what they do can succeed in this role or in other roles within our organization.