Assistant Vice President, General Counsel

About Us: The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago is the largest and most interactive science museum in the Western Hemisphere. Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) exposes guests of all ages to awe-inspiring exhibitions that spark curiosity and bring science to life. MSI’s mission – to inspire the inventive genius in everyone – is realized through its world-class exhibitions and engaging guest experiences. The Museum of Science and Industry provides programs and experiences that deepen the engagement of students and teachers in science and science-related disciplines, with a vision to inspire and motivate our children to achieve their full potential in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

We offer a creative, collaborative, and innovative environment for our employees. Our employees get great perks such as: benefits starting day one of your employment, free admission to MSI for family and friends, free admission to other museums, free parking in MSI’s garage and more! If you are equally passionate about our vision and want to be surrounded by a team of dynamic, smart and innovative people, the Museum of Science and Industry is the right place for you!

The Job: The Assistant Vice President, General Counsel provides expert and strategic legal advice to the Museum’s management and Board of Trustees. As a member of the senior leadership team, this role will serve as the primary internal legal counsel for the Museum and will provide legal advice and counsel on all matters affecting the Museum.

This position will be expected to be a hands-on practicing lawyer who will also lead a lean legal function.

Responsibilities:

• Provide advice and counsel to the President and CEO and other members of senior leadership team on all legal matters.
• Work closely with management to support the legal and business needs to of the organization enabling the mission of the Museum.
• Review, negotiate, and draft contracts related to all aspects of Museum operations, including rental of temporary and fabrication of permanent exhibits, facilities maintenance, building construction, IP licensing, special events, education programs, fundraising, debt instruments, artifact loans, and other general Museum business.
• Serve as the General Counsel of the Board of Trustees and provide legal advice on board governance matters, including serving as staff liaison to the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board of Trustees.
• Advise on general employment and labor matters, including negotiations of, and compliance with, collective bargaining agreements.
• Retain outside counsel expertise as needed and manage the work performed by such counsel, including the representation of the Museum in all legal proceedings, to ensure the delivery of quality and cost-efficient legal services.
• Participate in the definition and development of corporate policies, procedures, and programs, providing continuing counsel and guidance on legal implications of all matters.
• Analyze risk exposures in Museum's operations and maintain the Museum's commercial property and casualty insurance portfolio. Co-lead the Enterprise Risk Management Program with the CFO.
• Assure that the Museum is in compliance with applicable governmental regulations and laws, including but not limited to those pertaining to the operation of the Museum as a not-for-profit corporation, the exhibition of information and artifacts related to science and technology, the use of the Museum facility for various purposes, and the solicitation of charitable donations.
• Serve as the Museum's Chief Ethics Officer under the Museum's Code of Ethics and advise on and manage the reporting of conflicts of interest.
• Provide counsel on copyright, trademarks, and other intellectual property mattes, in particular in areas of marketing and advertising, education programming, and exhibit development.
• Develop a thorough understanding of Museum operations and use this knowledge in providing guidance and counsel to internal clients. Establish and develop strong relationships with various departments within the organization.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate (JD) degree from an accredited law school and be licensed to practice in State of Illinois.
• A minimum of ten (10) years' of legal experience, preferably in an in-house environment (nonprofit, government, or corporate) and/or extensively to nonprofit organizations in a law firm environment.
• Some knowledge of federal and state laws, rules and regulations impacting 501(c)(3) organizations, especially in the cultural institution context.
• Experience handling complex contracts, employment and labor matters and other corporate generalist (e.g., intellectual property) matters preferred.
• Experience advising on board governance matters.
• Experience managing both an internal law department and external counsel.
• Must be willing and able to become a content expert in new areas of law; self-motivated and have a "roll-up-your-sleeves" and hands-on approach; displays a high degree of initiative and intellectual curiosity.
• Demonstrated skill in identifying and addressing matters beyond the applicable legal issues of a project; strong, pragmatic business acumen with the ability to recognize the business consequences of legal advice; a strategic and innovative thinker who can bring value to their clients and find creative solutions to complex legal problems.
• Highly effective in communicating complex technical legal matters to a variety of stakeholders; strong oral and written communication skills which demonstrate knowledge, persuasiveness, and the ability to inspire confidence throughout the organization; the ability to synthesize and communicate succinctly.
• Detail-oriented, diligent, organized, and efficient with strong follow-up and follow-through skills. Comfortable in a fast-paced environment that requires rapid turnaround on various high-priority needs; able to prioritize and re-prioritize based on changing business needs.
• Unquestionable integrity, credibility, judgement, and transparency.
• Team player with the ability to work well both independently and in a team environment.

The Museum of Science and Industry is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, which includes providing equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

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