Senior Legal Counsel

Status: Full-time Exempt

About Us

IES Global headquartered in Chicago is a not-for-profit study abroad and internship provider dedicated to transforming the lives of nearly 10000 students annually through unparalleled study abroad experiences. We offer 400 programs in 85 locations worldwide partnering with 500 colleges and universities to create authentic educational experiences that exceed expectations.

IES Global comprises a collective of brands including IES Abroad IES Internships IES Customized & Faculty-Led Programs and the Study Abroad Foundation (SAF). We champion meaningful academic and cultural education integrate perspectives prioritize student health and safety and strive to better the world through our Global Good Commitment.

For 75 years we have been a trusted leader in global education. We are committed to expanding access to study abroad fostering a sense of belonging for everyone at IES Global and building cultural competence among our students partners and staff worldwide.

When all people feel included and valued in the workplace our work environment is enhanced and our mission becomes more achievable. At IES Global that looks like proudly bringing together top talent from across the globe with varying perspectives and expertise and enabling them to thrive at work.

Join us and become part of a community dedicated to creating global leaders and life-changing experiences.

Summary of Position

The Senior Legal Counsel will provide legal guidance to internal business clients under the supervision of the General Counsel and in collaboration with other department attorneys and staff. The position involves interaction at all levels within the organization domestically and internationally and access to sensitive and confidential information necessitating considerable use of tact diplomacy discretion and judgment. A significant portion of the role requires interpreting drafting and negotiating routine to complex contracts and related documents often in an expedited manner. The role includes other areas of legal support including but not limited to legal operations process improvement activities international entity management employment intellectual property issues marketing content review compliance-related activities such as privacy and record retention real estate leasing and legal research particularly relating to not-for-profit and tax-exempt status.

Essential Job Responsibilities & Duties:

• Interprets drafts and negotiates a variety of contracts across the organization which may include vendor agreements academic collaboration agreements international program agreements real estate leases (including international) rental and venue contracts NDAs SaaS agreements and other related matters balancing risk within agreed timelines.

• Demonstrates a strong understanding of material contract risks and mitigation strategies including international and domestic privacy and security risks.

• Support the management and maintenance of the organizations legal entities and affiliated organizations domestically and internationally including the maintenance of records.

• Demonstrated ability to integrate and work well with the legal team and other internal business partners such as College Relations and Marketing IT HR Academics and Customized Programs.

• Conduct or assist in investigations arising out of employment-related matters and academic conduct particularly international matters.

• Provide timely responses to internal clients estimating timeframe for completion of projects. Tracks progress of project and maintains appropriate communications with internal stakeholders. Effectively utilizes an electronic contract management system to manage the contract workload.

• Provides leadership to junior attorneys and staff.

• Works with outside legal counsel as directed often outside the US.

• Assist in the development and maintenance of legal resources that are required for our business such as templates terms of use privacy policies and similar policies and disclosures.

• May support the management of trademark and other intellectual property registrations and intellectual property disputes and/or settlement agreements.

• May assist in evaluating and managing claims and litigation against the company including working with outside counsel.

• Research and analyze federal state and local statutes ordinances court decisions legal documents and articles for use in providing guidance to various departments across the organization.

• May respond to and meet with broad range of internal and external individuals and groups frequently related to matters of immediate concern and

• Other projects and duties as assigned by the General Counsel.

Experience & Qualifications/Skills:

• At least 7 years of practicing law. Five years minimum would be considered if experience is directly related to role (i.e. higher education international education etc.)

• Strong computer experience (Internet Word Excel and PowerPoint - Publisher a plus);

• Ability to maintain confidential information with tact and discretion;

• Use of sound judgment while working effectively under minimal supervision;

• Exceptional interpersonal abilities and communication etiquette;

• High level organizational proficiency and proven ability to prioritize and meet deadlines;

• Project time management and problem-solving skills including the ability to articulate progress concerns and recommendations in a timely & concise manner; demonstrated ability to lead projects within a legal team or with clients

• Process improvement and organizational efficiency experience and mindset;

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills;

• Exceptional attention to detail;

• Ability to be flexible and highly adaptive to change;

• Ability to compose correspondence from notes discussions or independently from knowledge of circumstances and policy;

• Significant contract drafting and negotiation experience;

• Contract management system experience a significant plus;

• International experience strongly preferred;

• Privacy and security experience strongly preferred;

• Higher Education experience a significant plus

• AI experience as it impacts legal service and corporate operations a plus;

• Study abroad and/or experience living & working abroad helpful but not required;

Education Licenses and/or Certifications:

• Juris Doctorate required; Must be licensed to practice law in IL or is able to successfully apply for an Illinois law license within 90 days of the employment start date.

Hiring Salary Range

$135000- $185000

Benefits Eligible

Yes

IES Abroad offers a wide range of benefits for eligible employees including health retirement and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found on our website: to Apply:

All applicants should submit an application includingcover letterresume andsalary requirementsby clicking Apply at the top of this page.

Please visit for more information about working at IES Abroad. If you require an accommodation with the application process please emailus: .

Equal Opportunity Employment:

IES Abroad is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. We strive to treat people with respect; fully utilizing employees abilities and promoting workforce diversity.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race color ancestry sex (including pregnancy) age national origin citizenship religion marital status disability sexual orientation gender identity and/or expression veteran status and/or any other status protected by applicable laws.