Managing Chief Counsel
We are seeking a leading legal voice to help shape the future of technology and society. As General Counsel, you will be a member of the Senior Leadership Team, providing legal and strategic counsel on both programmatic and operational decisions. You will lead an internal legal team and manage a network of specialized outside counsel, serving as a trusted advisor to our executive team and Board. This role reports to the Senior Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and Chief Operating Officer.
Strategic Legal Counsel
Serve as the organization’s authority on nonprofit, tax, and philanthropic law, including IRS 501(c)(3) compliance, foundation governance, and the legal dimensions of grant‑making and impact opportunities
Advise on legally innovative structures to maximize mission impact — including cross‑border grantmaking, fiscal sponsorships, and collaborative funding mechanisms
Represent ON externally as a member of our Senior Leadership team – including philanthropic legal networks as well as mission‑aligned convenings and fora
Act as Corporate Secretary to the Board of Directors, overseeing all governance matters and ensuring alignment with bylaws, policies, and applicable regulations
Manage the organization’s multi‑entity structure, including international entities, in close collaboration with finance and operations
Compliance and Risk Management
Ensure ongoing compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including IRS regulations governing tax‑exempt organizations, LDA, FARA, UBIT, OFAC sanctions and screening requirements, as well as global data privacy laws such as GDPR
Ensure compliance with conflict‑of‑interest policies
Lead comprehensive risk assessments across grantmaking, investments, operations, and staff engagement — and translate findings into practical mitigation strategies
Monitor and analyze the evolving legal, regulatory, and political landscapes to safeguard the organization’s mission and reputation and assist with organizational crisis response planning, contingency planning, and reputational risk management
Legal Operations
Partner closely with functional leaders across the organization to provide timely, accessible, and actionable legal guidance
Support continuous improvement and innovation in our investment, grants, and contracts management processes, developing best‑in‑class templates and toolkits that reflect both legal compliance and operational excellence
Develop and maintain templates, toolkits, and training programs that empower staff on topics ranging from grant‑making and advocacy to investing and compliance
Oversee outside counsel relationships and budgets for specialized legal needs, ensuring value, efficiency, and mission alignment
ON is currently operating in a hybrid capacity, with employees working in the office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. This position will be based out of our Washington DC or San Francisco office. Employees must reside within 100 miles of their assigned office location. This is a full‑time, salaried position that features competitive pay and benefits, including health care (medical/dental/vision), paid time off, and a generous employer 401(k) contribution. ON manages pay equity seriously and new hires generally start at the midpoint of this range.
15+ years of legal practice, including significant in‑house experience at a private foundation and/or large law firm
~ S. nonprofit and foundation tax law, preferably including experience in a grant‑making context
~ Experience advising on early‑to‑growth‑stage venture capital equity or fund investments (desirable)
~ Experience working in global settings on cross‑border deals and grants (desirable)
~ Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex legal issues for non‑legal audiences
~ An autonomous self‑starter who exercises sound independent judgment and drives effective resolution of legal issues
~ Ability to interpret and analyze complex data and information
~ Experience building strategic alliances (desirable)
~ Demonstrated ability to turn complex legal advice into practical processes and guidance materials
~ A genuine commitment to ON’s mission and the ability to counsel staff on how to achieve organizational goals— accounting for legal risk while keeping impact at the center
Omidyar Network is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes people from all experiences, abilities, and perspectives to apply.