PARTNERSHIP ON AI

GENERAL COUNSEL

The Partnership on AI (PAI) is seeking a General Counsel, a unique role with the opportunity to help shape a new and growing organization at the intersection of technology and social impact work. This position will have overall responsibility to develop and execute the organization's legal, governance, compliance, and risk management strategies. The General Counsel will be directly involved in a range of topics across corporate governance, intellectual property, tax-exempt organizations, and fundraising law. Importantly, the General Counsel will work to structure a variety of transactions, projects, and initiatives in research and policy, while considering means to document, assess, and mitigate risks in these matters. This position will work closely and collaboratively with the Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer, and Board of Directors as a member of the leadership team of the organization.

A background in artificial intelligence is not required, although successful candidates will be passionate about PAI’s work and mission. A passion for AI and tech policy will help make this a meaningful role, but the focus of this position will be operational.

Key Responsibilities: 

·       Provide counsel on legal matters including the legal implications of programmatic and operational issues;

·       Act as a strategic partner to senior management, and advise the organization on new and existing laws affecting PAI’s programmatic work and operations in the United States and abroad;

·       Manage issues of corporate governance and maintain PAI’s corporate records; 

·       Develop internal policies and procedures to ensure that PAI conducts its business in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including with respect to tax, employment, and lobbying by a 501(c)(3) exempt organization;

·       Serve as principal legal advisor on major transactions and programs, including contract review, negotiation, and drafting on topics ranging from procurement to partnerships with academic institutions, for-profit corporations, government institutions, and individual researchers;

·       Select, retain, manage and evaluate outside counsel as necessary to support the organization’s programmatic and operational needs;

·       Examine and draft template agreements, such as employment and vendor contracts;

·       Recommend human resources policies and procedures, including assisting in navigating HR issues when they arise, in close collaboration with the Chief Operating Officer and Human Resources Manager; 

·       Work with leadership to anticipate, prevent, and where necessary, resolve external disputes.

 Preferred Qualifications:

We are seeking candidates who excel in collaborative work settings, are well-organized, and mission-driven. You should have:

·       Juris Doctor (J.D.) from accredited U.S. law school.

·       Admitted to practice law in at least one U.S. state (admittance in California not required).

·       Minimum of 5 years of legal experience required (7+ preferred), with experience in U.S. not-for-profit governance and tax matters. Experience as in-house counsel is not a requirement but is strongly preferred; experience working with research organizations is also strongly preferred.

·       A track record of developing and maintaining strong working relationships with and among a diverse set of stakeholders.

·       The ability to analyze legal issues through risk assessment, risk management, and pragmatic decision-making lenses, rather than simply identifying areas of potential legal risk.

·       Experience with matters of corporate governance.

·       Excellent written and oral communication skills. 

·       Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced, innovative, rapidly changing environment.

·       Ability to work collaboratively with program and operations teams.

·       Strong interpersonal skills and ability to both partner with and provide strong guidance to associates at all levels of the organization.

·       Ability to proactively prepare PAI for changes in laws and regulations governing our programmatic work and operations, including antitrust law.

·       Experience with intellectual property rights issues strongly preferred (but not required), especially related to facilitating research, publishing, and collaboration with a range of institutions and partners.

Other Considerations:

·       PAI offers a generous paid leave and benefits package, including: Twenty vacation days, three personal reflection days, sick leave and family leave above industry standards, high-quality PPO and HMO health insurance plans, many 100% covered by PAI, Dental and vision insurance 100% covered by PAI, up to a 7% 401K match, vested immediately, pre-tax commuter benefits (Clipper), automatic cell phone reimbursement ($75/month), up to $1,000 in professional development funds annually, team lunches & reading days, opportunities to attend AI related conferences and events and to collaborate with our 90+ partners across industry, academia and civil society. Please refer to our careers page for an updated list of benefits.

·       Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States; we do not plan to sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.

·       PAI is headquartered in San Francisco, with a global membership base and scope. The role will be located in San Francisco and will report to the Executive Director.

PAI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  We celebrate diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment in all aspects of employment, including recruiting, hiring, promoting, training, education assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, and all privileges and conditions of employment.  Employment decisions at PAI are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications.

PAI will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance or similar laws.

The Partnership on AI may become subject to certain governmental recordkeeping and reporting requirements for the administration of civil rights laws and regulations. We also track diversity in our workforce for the purpose of improving over time. In order to comply with these goals, the Partnership on AI invites employees to voluntarily self-identify their gender and race/ethnicity. Submission of this information is voluntary and refusal to provide it will not jeopardize or adversely affect employment or any consideration you may receive for employment or advancement.  The information obtained will be kept confidential. 

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume. Applications will be accepted until October 11, 2019.