Legal Director

About the Organization

ClimateWorks Foundation is a global organization committed to our mission: to end the climate crisis by amplifying the power of philanthropy. Since our founding in 2008, we have awarded over $1.7 billion in grants to more than 850 organizations advancing climate solutions worldwide. We helped grow the field of climate philanthropy to where it stands today, establishing infrastructure, global networks, and momentum for continued growth.

●        Scaling solutions: Our collaborative Global Programs — focused on solution areas including carbon dioxide removal, cooling, industry, transportation, and more — produce results that are bending the greenhouse gas emissions curve. From the U.S. to Europe, China, Brazil, and beyond, we collaborate with a diverse community of funders, NGOs, and climate leaders to accelerate just and equitable climate solutions.

●        Guiding and supporting funders: Our Global Services provide funders with comprehensive resources to assess, build, evolve, and execute high-impact climate-giving strategies. Our Global Intelligence service equips funders and the climate community with climate insights to pinpoint opportunities for impact and philanthropic insights to help identify investment priorities. We facilitate Global Collaborations that enable funders to increase individual and collective impact. Our Global Grantmaking services enable funders to invest in climate solutions around the world. 

●        Fostering collaboration, exploration, and growth: Our collaborative approach and commitment to learning ensures that we continuously explore innovative ideas and emerging opportunities — all with the aim of scaling philanthropy-supported initiatives to help end the climate crisis.

As experts in climate science, public policy, economic and social analysis, and strategic philanthropy, ClimateWorks’ staff understands the multi-faceted challenges and opportunities of climate change. We are researchers, strategists, collaborators, and grantmakers who care passionately about our mission. For more information, please visit www.climateworks.org. 

Job Summary

The Legal Director is responsible for internal legal counsel work and leading on enterprise risk management in a dynamic, collaborative, global, mission-based organization. The position resides within the Finance & Administration team and reports to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Essential Tasks

Provide Legal Advice and Representation

●      Provide strategic legal advice and consultation on compliance, governance, employment, intellectual property, and other legal matters.

●      Provide legal representation to ClimateWorks and support staff by providing counsel on a variety of complex issues. Represent ClimateWorks in interactions with individuals and external organizations.

Lead Risk Management

●      Lead a cross-functional Enterprise Risk Management team responsible for the annual survey of the risk landscape and for supporting teams across the organization in identifying risks and designing risk responses and actions.

●      Track risk and compliance inquiries/issues, recommend solutions, and escalate issues as appropriate.

Manage Relationships with Outside Counsel

●      Build and maintain strong relationships with outside counsel, including general counsel (both domestic and country-specific where applicable), employment counsel, and trademark counsel.

●      Work with outside counsel and cross-functional teams on any crisis communications issues that may arise.

●      Collaborate with outside counsel and leaders of the Human Resources team regarding employment law matters, including internal investigations.

Compliance and Training

●      Keep current on new and emerging laws, policy developments, legal trends, and best practices related to compliance programs, with a focus on those relating to tax-exempt organizations.

●      Assist in developing and delivering training on legal issues, including internal policies and compliance with applicable la