Senior Director, Legal

The Senior Director, Legal at U.S. Energy Foundation is responsible for leading key legal strategies to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements for both the foundation and Energy Action Fund. This includes providing legal advice on governance and employment matters, overseeing outside counsel, managing enterprise risk, and developing training programs on compliance matters.

To qualify for the Senior Director, Legal role at U.S. Energy Foundation, candidates need a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school, active bar membership, and significant legal experience in corporate or nonprofit law. Strong analytical skills, experience advising senior management, and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion are also necessary.

U.S. Energy Foundation actively prioritizes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by seeking candidates from diverse backgrounds, promoting equitable systems, and ensuring their work environment shows respect and humility towards everyone’s experiences. The foundation’s commitment is a key aspect of their operations.

The target salary for the Senior Director, Legal position at U.S. Energy Foundation ranges from $270,000 to $297,000 for candidates in major metro areas and between $245,000 to $269,500 for candidates in other locations across the U.S. Additionally, EF offers a comprehensive benefits package.

The U.S. Energy Foundation is headquartered in San Francisco, CA, but promotes a remote-first work environment, allowing team members to work from various locations across the U.S. They have a collegial office atmosphere that includes shared workspaces and fosters collaboration.

In this role, compliance entails ensuring that the organization adheres to laws and regulations inherent to 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations. Candidates should discuss their knowledge of these regulations and provide examples of how they have successfully managed compliance issues in prior roles.

Highlight your past experiences where you've worked closely with senior management. Focus on instances where your legal analyses influenced strategic decisions and how your input benefited the organization. Concrete examples will illustrate your ability to communicate effectively.

Interviewers look for practical examples of risk management. Share a specific instance where you mitigated a potential legal risk, detailing your thought process, the steps you took, and the outcomes achieved, demonstrating your analytical skills and solutions-oriented approach.

Effective communication is key. Discuss your approach to simplifying complex legal concepts while ensuring clarity. Provide examples where you've successfully communicated legal matters to a diverse audience, enhancing understanding and decision-making.

Outline steps for conducting risk assessments, engaging cross-functional teams, and implementing tailored risk response strategies. Stress the importance of collaboration and ongoing evaluation to ensure the effectiveness of the initiative.

Demonstrate your understanding of DEI principles in the legal context. Discuss how you have promoted DEI values in your legal practice and highlight the importance of inclusivity when providing legal counsel and navigating organizational challenges.

Showcase your commitment to continuous learning by discussing resources like legal journals, professional associations, and networking with other legal professionals. Mention attending conferences and relevant training sessions to stay current on nonprofit legal developments.

Share an example where your legal guidance led to a pivotal outcome. Focus on how your advice was acted upon and the benefits it provided, as well as the collaborative aspects of your role that made it possible.

Explain your approach to resolving conflicting legal opinions by emphasizing the importance of thorough analysis, consultation with other experts if necessary, and ultimately guiding the organization towards a well-informed decision.

Discuss strategies for building trust and rapport, including open communication, responsiveness, understanding stakeholders' needs, and fostering a sense of collaborators rather than just external entities. Practical examples will highlight your relationship-building skills.