Deputy General Counsel

Key Responsibilities:

1. Legal Function:

1. Contract Negotiation and Management:

• Lead the negotiation drafting review and execution of a wide range of complex agreements critical to the churchs operations. These include but are not limited to property transactions (sales purchases rentals and leases) title perfection processes facility management contracts equipment supply and maintenance agreements and other commercial or ministry-related contracts with vendors partners and stakeholders. Ensure all agreements are legally sound mitigate risks and align with the churchs strategic objectives and mission-driven values. Conduct thorough due diligence to verify compliance with local and international laws and collaborate with relevant departments to incorporate operational and financial considerations into contract terms.

1. External Legal Counsel Coordination:

• Manage the engagement and performance of external law firms retained by the church (including those on pro-bono basis) to provide specialized legal regulatory or advisory services. Serve alongside the General Counsel as primary liaison drafting clear instructions setting performance benchmarks and monitoring progress to ensure high-quality timely and cost-effective service delivery.
• Maintain detailed records of legal engagements including budgets scopes of work and outcomes to optimize resource allocation. Evaluate the effectiveness of external counsel through regular performance reviews and recommend adjustments to engagement strategies to enhance efficiency and alignment with the churchs priorities.

1. Dispute Resolution and Litigation Oversight:

• Strategic management and resolution of conflicts disputes claims or litigation involving the church ensuring minimal disruption to its operations and reputation. Conduct comprehensive risk assessments developing mitigation strategies and preparing legal documentation to support the churchs position. Support the engagement and supervision of external solicitors ensuring alignment with the churchs objectives and cost considerations.
• Proactively identify potential legal vulnerabilities through trend analysis and recommend preventive measures such as alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to reduce the likelihood of escalation and foster amicable resolutions.

1. Legal Advisory Services:

• Provide comprehensive legal research and advisory support to the churchs Management Senior Leadership and operational teams on a diverse array of legal regulatory and compliance issues. Deliver precise actionable and mission-aligned guidance on topics such as corporate governance property transaction intellectual property labour law and practice non-profit regulations etc..
• Leverage advanced legal research tools and stay abreast of legislative and regulatory developments to anticipate challenges and inform decision-making.
• Present complex legal concepts in clear accessible language to non-legal stakeholders fostering informed strategic choices that balance legal compliance with the churchs spiritual and operational goals.

1. Policy Formulation and Monitoring

• Collaborate with the General Counsel and the Office of the Global Lead Pastor to develop implement and maintain internal legal and compliance policies that govern the churchs operations across domestic and international jurisdictions.
• Draft and review policies related to ministry operations risk management ethical conduct data protection and reporting human resources volunteer management etc. to ensure alignment with applicable laws and the churchs values.
• Conduct periodic policy audits to identify gaps or areas for improvement and work with relevant departments to integrate policies into operational workflows.
• Conduct policy awareness training initiatives to educate staff and leadership on policy adherence fostering a culture of compliance and accountability throughout the organization.

2. Regulatory and Compliance:

1. Compliance Oversight

• Ensure that all operations of The Elevation Church across domestic and international jurisdictions adhere rigorously to applicable laws statutory regulations and legal instruments governing nonprofit organizations tax exemptions and ministry activities.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive compliance frameworks and incorporate risk-based monitoring systems to ensure adherence to legal and regulatory standards.
• Conduct periodic compliance audits using advanced data analytics tools to identify potential vulnerabilities and implement corrective measures promptly.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate compliance protocols into operational workflows delivering targeted training to staff and leadership to foster a culture of legal integrity and accountability aligned with the churchs values.

1. Regulatory Strategy and Engagement:

• Develop and execute a robust regulatory engagement strategy to cultivate and sustain productive relationships with government agencies regulatory bodies and external stakeholders at international national state and local levels.
• Represent the church in high-level regulatory negotiations advocacy efforts and policy discussions to address operational challenges and secure favorable regulatory outcomes.
• Monitor global regulatory and geopolitical trends to anticipate risks and opportunities providing strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
• Partner with external legal and regulatory advisors to ensure the churchs positions are robustly articulated and aligned with its long-term strategic objectives.

1. Filings and Reporting:

• Oversee the preparation review and timely submission of all mandatory regulatory filings including annual returns financial statements tax compliance documents and other disclosures required by government agencies in all jurisdictions where the church operates.
• Ensure filings are accurate compliant with local and international standards and submitted within deadlines to avoid penalties or reputational risks.
• Implement streamlined processes and leverage compliance management software to track filing obligations maintain organized records and ensure consistency across all submissions.
• Provide guidance to internal teams on documentation standards and regulatory expectations enhancing the quality and reliability of all reports.

1. Regulatory Enquiries and Audits

• Manage responses to information requests enquiries or audits from regulatory authorities with precision professionalism and strategic foresight.
• Develop cohesive response strategies coordinating with relevant departments to compile accurate data and produce legally sound submissions that safeguard the churchs interests.
• Maintain detailed centralized records of all regulatory interactions including correspondence logs and databases to ensure transparency and facilitate future compliance efforts.
• Proactively prepare for audits by conducting internal reviews stress-testing compliance systems and ensuring the church remains audit-ready with processes in place to demonstrate full regulatory adherence.

1. Corporate Governance and Entity Management

• Support the General Counsel in overseeing corporate governance and the management of all Elevation Church entities globally ensuring alignment with best practices and legal requirements.
• Facilitate the organization and execution of board of trustee meetings for all entities including preparing agendas drafting resolutions and ensuring accurate minute-taking and follow-up on action items.
• Manage governance processes such as board appointments policy approvals and conflict-of-interest disclosures to uphold transparency and accountability. Oversee statutory filings for all entities maintaining a centralized register to track obligations (e.g. annual returns tax filings and corporate registrations) across jurisdictions.
• Produce regular compliance reports to provide management with actionable insights into the compliance status of all entities enabling informed decision-making.
• Serve as a key liaison between the boards of related entities and the Global Office/HQ ensuring seamless communication alignment on strategic priorities and resolution of governance-related issues.
• Implement training programs for board members and entity leaders to enhance governance literacy and ensure consistent application of policies.
• Proactively identify governance risks and recommend enhancements to policies and processes to strengthen the churchs global governance framework.

3. Global Missions and Establishments:

1. Strategic Support for Global Expansion

• Collaborate closely with the General Counsel and the Global Missions Office to design and execute a comprehensive strategy for The Elevation Churchs global missions and expansion ensuring alignment with the churchs vision and long-term objectives.
• Provide strategic legal and operational guidance to identify viable regions for establishing new church expressions conducting in-depth market and regulatory analyses to assess feasibility and prioritize opportunities.
• Develop detailed expansion road-maps incorporating timelines resource allocation plans and risk mitigation strategies to ensure successful launches.
• Partner with cross-functional teams including finance operations and ministry departments to align expansion initiatives with organizational capabilities and budgetary constraints.
• Facilitate the creation of governance structures for new expressions ensuring compliance with local laws and seamless integration with the churchs global framework.
• In conjunction with the Global Missions Office monitor and evaluate the performance of expansion initiatives using key performance indicators (KPIs) such as membership growth and operational stability to refine strategies and drive continuous improvement.
• Engage with local stakeholders to navigate cultural legal and logistical complexities in a way that builds sustainable growth and ministry penetration globally.

Educational Qualifications:

• Law degree from an accredited institution and active licensure to practice law in relevant jurisdictions. Masters degree in international law nonprofit management or corporate governance are a plus.
• A qualified lawyer with a Masters Degree (LL.M) from a recognized and accredited University in a relevant jurisdiction with a minimum of second class (lower) law degree (LL.B) grade.
• A Masters degree is an added advantage.
• 10-12 years of legal experience in corporate law nonprofit regulations regulatory compliance and corporate governance with expertise in navigating diverse jurisdictional requirements.

Relevant Experience and Expertise

1. Corporate Governance and Entity Management
2. Commercial Legal Drafting and Communication:

• Proven experience overseeing governance processes for multiple entities including board of trustee meetings statutory filings and compliance tracking.
• Ability to develop governance frameworks maintain a centralized register of statutory obligations and produce compliance reports for management decision-making.
• Skilled in acting as a liaison between global entity boards and the Global Office/HQ to ensure alignment and seamless communication.
• Deep knowledge of contract law property law data protection and global regulatory frameworks for compliance and risk mitigation.
• Strong negotiation skills to secure favorable contract terms regulatory outcomes and partnership agreements while upholding the churchs interests and values.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills to articulate complex legal regulatory and governance concepts to diverse audiences including non-legal stakeholders board members and global partners.

1. Strategic Planning and Cultural Adaptability
2. Leadership and Collaboration
3. Technology Ethics and Organizational Proficiency

• Strong strategic planning and analytical skills to support global expansion including market analyses risk assessments and development of expansion road-maps with key performance indicators (KPIs).
• High cultural sensitivity and adaptability to work effectively across diverse international contexts with experience navigating cultural legal and logistical complexities in global operations. Ability to tailor strategies to local needs while maintaining alignment with the churchs global mission and values.
• Demonstrated leadership in supervising teams mentoring personnel and managing external counsel with experience training board members and staff on governance and compliance.
• Exceptional collaboration skills to work with finance operations and ministry teams fostering cross-functional alignment and driving strategic initiatives.
• Outstanding communication and negotiation abilities to articulate complex legal and regulatory concepts to diverse stakeholders including non-legal audiences.
• Proficiency in legal research platforms compliance management software and data analytics tools to streamline filings audits and governance processes.
• Unwavering commitment to ethical conduct confidentiality and the churchs mission-driven values handling sensitive matters with discretion.
• Superior project management and organizational skills to manage multiple priorities deadlines and complex projects in a fast-paced global environment.

Attitude and Behavioural Traits

• Broad-based positive attitude a strong desire to work as a member of a high-performance global team.
• Be collaborative open to working with a diverse group and interested in dynamic progressive and evolving work responsibilities.
• A vibrant personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour
• Demonstrates the virtues and qualities of a devoted follower of Jesus Christ
• Embodiment of the ASHLIE values of The Elevation Church
• Teachable willing to learn and must be a self-starter with capacity for lateral thinking.
• High-energy and willing to take on responsibilities beyond the call of duty.