Regional Director of Legal, North America

Who We Are 

International Justice Mission (IJM) is the global leader in protecting vulnerable people from violence around the world. Our team of over 1,200 professionals are at work worldwide in over 30 offices. Together we are on a mission to rescue millions, protect half a billion, and make justice unstoppable. 

We are a global community that cares for one another. We believe that the way we work is as important as the results we achieve. We provide professional excellence with joy and celebration to all those we serve.   

The Need 

For over 25 years, IJM has pioneered the work to protect vulnerable people from violence. 9 out of 9 times in the last decade, IJM’s Justice System Strengthening Projects have reduced slavery and violence between 50 and 85% for very large populations of people in poverty. As we grow to expand our impact to protect 500 million people from violence, we are seeking a Regional Director of Legal, North America.  

The Regional Director of Legal, North America is an individual contributor position that reports directly to the to the Regional President of North America, with matrixed reporting to the Chief Risk Officer and General Counsel of IJM. The Regional Director of Legal will provide high-level, strategic expertise and counsel on legal questions, compliance issues, and legal risk management to the Regional President, North America and regional leadership. He or she will ensure provision of transactional and operational legal support as needed throughout the North American region to allow regional teams to operate effectively, efficiently, and creatively, while still mitigating risk and maintaining compliance.   

This position is hybrid (onsite Tuesdays & Thursdays) if located in the Washington, DC area or remote for non-local candidates. It reports to Regional President, North America and is only available for candidates with the right to work in the US. 

Responsibilities: 

Strategic Legal Guidance & Risk Management  

• Ensure regional implementation and monitoring of global standards and policies that ensure legal compliance for IJM’s operations within the region. 

• Manage regional and other legally binding agreements to ensure IJM’s interests in the region are protected, and ensure contracts are elevated to Global Office of the General Counsel, when necessary. 

• Provide strategic legal research, analysis, and recommendations as necessary to the Regional President, North America and other regional leadership. 

• Provide strategic legal guidance and transactional legal support on all regional matters, elevating to the Chief Risk Officer and General Counsel as necessary. 

• Ensure all teams within the region receive necessary transactional and operational legal support, particularly on critical areas such as fundraising, employment, and nonprofit compliance.   

• Collaborate with regional fundraising and finance teams to develop solutions that allow the region to pursue innovative, high-yield fundraising initiatives, events, and partnerships in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. 

• Collaborate with Human Resources team(s) to ensure compliance with and proactively respond to all relevant employment-related standards and legal requirements throughout the region. 

• Oversee management of regional registrations and filings, and in coordination with the Officer, Global Governance, ensure all entities within the region are in good standing. 

• Responsible for management and outcome of all regional engagements with external legal counsel (paid and pro bono).