Details
Posted: 02-Mar-22
Location: Washington, D.C.
Type: Full Time
Categories:
Other
With world attention on both the environment and the economy, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is where policymakers and business leaders turn for win-win solutions. By focusing on strong science, uncommon partnerships and market-based approaches, we tackle urgent threats with practical solutions. We are one of the world’s largest environmental organizations, with more than two million members and a staff of approximately 700 scientists, economists, policy experts, and other professionals around the world. We operate in 22 geographies with unique projects running across four programs. You will be part of a vibrant workplace where innovation and results are a way of life.
EDF envisions a world in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected to the environmental challenges we face and are engaged in creating durable, equitable solutions. We seek talented candidates who share our Core Values of Respect, Results, Innovation, Optimism, and Integrity, and support our Commitment to Diversity.
As an essential part of the Environmental Defense Fund’s global mission, we operate and engage in influential and ground-breaking program work, research, alliance-building and more in multiple locations around the world. We employ some of the world’s best climate scientists, economists, business strategists, policy advocates, development experts and support professionals all with a clear mission — to tackle the essential challenges of climate change and environmental justice. The EDF Legal & Compliance team supports the entire portfolio of EDF entities and mission operations around the world.
EDF Legal & Compliance is seeking Counsel - Commercial & Employment to join a highly-engaged commercial group to serve as a trusted advisor to EDF’s mission programs, enterprise operations, and human resources. As a team, Legal & Compliance strives to be a strategic legal partner that anticipates, supports and advances EDF’s business operations and mission. We are a small, experienced group of professionals with a reputation for quality, collegiality, and a commitment to each teammate’s development and success. As a member of the team in this role, you’ll have primary responsibility to proactively strategize, advise, manage and support EDF’s commercial contracting and global workforce support, and negotiate hiring and contractor engagements to align EDF practices with local laws, regulations and customs wherever we operate. You’ll be exposed to a range of legal matters confronting a multinational nonprofit organization and have opportunities to expand your skills and experience over time.
Locations
Preference for DC or NY, followed by San Francisco (Amsterdam, Brussels or London may be considered for EU-based candidates who meet the following qualifications, including being admitted to practice in the US).
The primary responsibilities of Counsel - Commercial & Employment are to:
- Uphold and advance EDF’s core values of Respect, Integrity, Optimism, Innovation and Results and realize its commitments to diversity, inclusion and equity across its mission and operations.
- Collaborate with HR, Ethics & Compliance, Global Ops, DEI, and other teams to provide strategic legal advice and guidance that helps shape sound employment and workforce engagement policies, practices and agreements worldwide.
- Investigate and advise on requirements for employment, contractor and academic engagements to optimize EDF programs work around the world.
- Draft and negotiate direct employment and individual contractor agreements, harmonize terms for specific jurisdictions, and continuously improve EDF’s forms, policies and practices.
- Coordinate legal advice regarding benefits. Collaborate with HR, Ethics & Compliance, the CLO and others to promote and provide training, monitoring and enforcement of the Code of Conduct as well as all other employment and workforce policies.
- Collaborate with and manage outside counsel, including international counsel.
- In collaboration with outside counsel and HR, advise on employee benefit and retirement programs and related agreements.
- Counsel on employee global mobility.
- Collaborate with HR, Corporate Services and Programs in the planning of EDF-wide events.
- Subject matter interests and time permitting, engage on other commercial, development and grant matters.
- Participates in advancing EDF DEI goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.
Qualifications and Experience:
- JD, admitted to practice, active and in good standing in at least one US jurisdiction that qualifies the candidate for in-house practice at an EDF location or the candidate’s remote location.
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience, ideally including:
o Practical experience negotiating commercial contracts, particularly consulting, research, technical and development services engagements.
o Subject matter exposure to employment law, employee relations, benefits, compensation and pay equity supporting an international workforce.
o Familiarity with global mobility and remote work standards.
o Experience assessing employee benefit and retirement services agreements.
o Experience responding to government/administrative inquiries.
- Prior in-house experience with a multi-national organization a significant plus.
- Language proficiency in addition to English a plus.
- Reputation for establishing and maintaining effective collegial relationships with HR, business leaders, and peers.
- Aptitude for managing multiple projects, effective prioritization, and expectation management.
- Ability synthesize and communicate complex legal requirements and advice in a timely, clear, contextual, and actionable way.
- Track record as a champion for progress and solutions orientation.
- Demonstrates self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
- Self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced environment.
- Curiosity, creativity, flexibility, and sound judgment are essential, as is a sense of humor.
To apply, please submit your Resume and Cover Letter on our careers site.
Environmental Defense Fund is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.
