VP & Deputy General Counsel
VP & Deputy General Counsel
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Job Description
The Company: GIA is the worlds 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 3000 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. We offer a hybrid schedule (subject to change) provided if metrics such as productivity and the quality of the deliverables are achieved.
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 (no vesting )
Paid vacation sick and holidays tuition assistance commuter benefits
Position Summary
The Deputy General Counsel is a key member of the legal leadership team providing senior level counsel to the General Counsel executive management and the Board of Governors. This global role spans a wide range of responsibilities including labor and employment law oversight of litigation intellectual property transactional work such as mergers and acquisitions data privacy and regulatory compliance including trade controls anti-money laundering and anti-corruption laws. The Deputy General Counsel also advises on matters related to education and education compliance including student protection licensing accreditation and the fair resolution of student complaints and addition the role provides oversight on global health and safety supporting compliance with workplace and student safety all areas this position safeguards the Institutes nonprofit status manages legal risk and supports global operations across all locations ensuring consistency accountability and adherence to applicable laws and regulations in alignment with the Institutes mission and core values.
Essential Functions
Labor & Employment (15%)
Advise on employee relations workplace policies investigations and disciplinary actions.
Ensure compliance with federal state and local employment laws and regulations.
Partner with Human Resources on employment agreements terminations and workforce initiatives.
Litigation Supervision (15%)
Manage and oversee all litigation claims and disputes including supervising outside counsel.
Develop litigation strategies evaluate risk exposure and report to leadership and the Board.
Direct responses to subpoenas discovery and pre-litigation demands.
Intellectual Property (10%)
Provide counsel on protection licensing and enforcement of the organizations IP portfolio.
Draft and negotiate IP-related agreements.
Educate staff on copyright trademark and fair use policies.
Compliance & Regulatory (15%)
Lead compliance efforts with U.S. and international regulations including FCPA OFAC trade controls and AML requirements.
Design and implement policies training and monitoring systems to ensure compliance.
Conduct risk assessments and internal investigations when required.
Data Privacy (5%)
Oversee the global data privacy program including GDPR CCPA HIPAA (as applicable).
Advise on the development and maintenance of data protection policies procedures and employee training.
Collaborate with IT and Compliance teams to oversee data security incidents and breach responses.
Corporate Governance (15%)
Develop expertise in nonprofit corporate governance best practices and fiduciary duties and provide support to the General Counsel and Assistant Secretary as needed.
Gain a strong understanding of the Institutes governing documents policies and governance framework.
Build knowledge of the processes supporting board and committee meetings including the preparation of materials and maintenance of corporate records in order to provide informed support where needed.
General Legal Counsel & Transactions (15%)
Negotiate draft and review a wide range of contracts MOUs and organizational agreements.
Provide guidance on transactional matters including vendor agreements financing alliances and collaborations.
Support due diligence and structuring for nonprofit M&A joint ventures or strategic alliances.
Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on organizational risk management and business opportunities.
Education Compliance and Accreditation (10%)
Advise on global education compliance including student protection licensing and accreditation requirements.
Support risk management in student-facing activities including policies on admissions tuition refunds and grievance procedures.
Ensure education initiatives are aligned with the Institutes mission and consistent with non-profit obligations.
Provide counsel on processes for handling student complaints and grievances ensuring they are resolved fairly consistently and in compliance with applicable laws.
Health & Safety (10%)
Provide legal guidance on occupational health and safety matters across the Institutes global operations.
Oversee compliance with applicable workplace safety student safety and public health regulations.
Support the development and review of policies and procedures designed to promote a safe learning and working environment.
Advise on risk management strategies related to health and safety and emergency preparedness.
Supervisory Responsibilities
May supervise attorneys paralegals compliance or privacy staff as assigned.
Provides mentoring training and guidance to members of the Legal Affairs department.
Qualifications
Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
Active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar (preference for CA or ability to register as in-house counsel).
Minimum 10-15 years of a combination of law firm and in-house progressively responsible legal experience including:
o Significant expertise in labor and employment law.
o Demonstrated experience managing litigation and supervising outside counsel.
o Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills across a range of transactions.
o Familiarity with nonprofit and corporate M&A transactions including due diligence and integration.
o Experience with data privacy and protection requirements (GDPR CCPA HIPAA or equivalent).
o Experience with compliance regulatory frameworks (FCPA OFAC AML Trade Controls).
o Experience advising on education law and compliance including accreditation.
o Background in nonprofit corporate governance and intellectual property matters.
o Experience on advising on occupational health and safety laws and regulation including workplace and student safety requirements.
o Background supporting global operations with sensitivity to diverse cultural regulatory and business environments.
Exceptional written oral and interpersonal communication skills.
Proven ability to work collaboratively manage multiple priorities and provide practical solutions-oriented advice.
Commitment to the mission values and ethical standards of the Institute.
Core Competencies
Integrity & Accountability. Maintains the highest standards of ethics and responsibility.
Leadership. Inspires confidence provides guidance and fosters growth within the team.
Respect & Inclusion. Values diverse perspectives and builds collaborative relationships.
Strategic Thinking. Anticipates challenges identifies risks and develops proactive legal strategies.
Teamwork. Works effectively across departments and with external partners.
Business Acumen. Understands the financial and transactional context of global and nonprofit operations.
Data Stewardship. Protects sensitive information and champions strong privacy and cybersecurity practices.
Working Conditions
Normal office environment with potential for hybrid work.
Domestic and international travel may be required (approx. 25%).
Extended hours may occasionally be necessary for urgent legal matters or board meetings.
Performance Metrics
Timely and accurate delivery of legal advice and risk assessments.
Effectiveness in managing litigation and outside counsel costs.
Compliance program implementation and monitoring effectiveness.
Understanding of board governance support and documentation.
Success in negotiating favorable transactional terms and supporting M&A initiatives.
Implementation of effective data privacy policies training and incident response protocols.
Leadership and mentorship within the Legal Affairs department.
Salary range: $248-408K
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.
Required Experience:
Exec
Employment Type
Full-Time
