The Job: The General Counsel leads the Museum's legal function as its sole in-house attorney, offering a unique opportunity for broad responsibility, meaningful impact, and direct engagement with senior leadership and the Board of Trustees in a fast-paced environment. The position combines functioning at both a hands-on and strategic level, leveraging outside counsel thoughtfully to enhance internal capabilities.
Responsibilities:Legal Operations and Outside Counsel Management
- Retain, manage, and oversee outside counsel and specialized legal advisors to ensure high quality, cost-effective legal services.
- Lead and coordinate legal strategy for litigation, disputes, and legal proceedings involving the Museum.
Contracts and Commercial Matters
- Review, draft, and negotiate a wide range of complex agreements across all Museum operations including:
- Exhibit fabrication and rentals
- Construction and facilities maintenance
- Artifact loans
- Intellectual property licensing
- Special events and education programs
- Fundraising and development activities
- Debt instruments and general commercial agreements
Strategic and Executive Leadership
- Serve as the primary advisor to the President and CEO and senior leadership team on all legal, regulatory, and risk-related matters.
- Partner with executive leadership to support the Museum's mission, strategy, and business objectives while proactively identifying and mitigating legal risks.
- Participate in the development of organizational policies, procedures, and programs, providing ongoing guidance on legal implications.
Board Governance and Ethics
- Serve as the General Counsel to the Board of Trustees, providing legal guidance on governance, fiduciary duties, and compliance.
- Act as a staff liaison to the Nominating and Governance Committee.
- Serve as the Museum's Chief Ethics Officer under the Code of Ethics including oversight of conflicts of interest and ethics reporting.
Employment, Labor and Regulatory Compliance
- Advise on employment and labor matters, including union relations, collective bargaining agreements, and compliance with applicable employment laws.
- Ensure organizational compliance with federal, state, and local laws affecting nonprofit organizations including 501(c)(3) requirements.
Risk Management and Insurance
- Identify and analyze legal and operational risks across the organization.
- Maintain and oversee the Museum's property and casualty insurance portfolio.
- Co-lead the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program in partnership with the CFO.
Intellectual Property
- Provide legal counsel on copyright, trademarks, and other IP matters, particularly related to marketing, advertising, education programs, and exhibit development.
Cross-functional Partnership
- Develop a deep understanding of Museum operations and build trusted relationships across departments.
- Translate complex legal issues into clear, practical guidance for non-legal stakeholders.
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school; licensed and in good standing to practice law in the State of Illinois.
- Minimum of seven (7) years of relevant legal experience; significant in-house experience and/or advising nonprofit organizations preferred.
- Demonstrated experience advising executive leadership and boards on governance matters.
- Strong background in contracts, employment and labor law, and general corporate matters.
- Knowledge of laws and regulations impacting 501(c)(3) organizations, preferably within a cultural, educational, or mission-driven context.
- Experience managing an internal legal function and overseeing outside counsel preferred.
- Familiarity with intellectual property, risk management, and insurance matters preferred.
- Ability to be a strategic, pragmatic legal advisor with strong business acumen.
- Hands-on, solution-oriented, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent written and communication skills with the ability to explain complex legal matters clearly and concisely.
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to prioritize effectively amid changing demands.
- Demonstrated integrity, sound judgement, credibility, transparency, and a high-level of confidentiality.
- Collaborative team player with a down-to-earth approach and strong interpersonal skills.
- Intellectual curiosity with the ability to quickly develop expertise in new areas of law.
- Language:
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, standard operating procedures, etc.
- ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
- Ability to speak effectively before groups of employees of the organization.
- Mathematical:
- Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as percentages, turnover rates, retention rates, etc.
- Reasoning:
- Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
- Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
- Physical:
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel and talk or hear.
- The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.
- The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and taste or smell.
- The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
- Work Environment:
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
The salary range for this position is $200,000 - $225,000.
This fulltime position is eligible for benefits including:
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
- An attractive time off program including vacation, sick, and personal days
- 10 Company Holidays
- 401(k) plans (Traditional and Roth) including a generous employer match
- Robust Voluntary benefit plans including transportation, legal, and many others
- Free onsite garage parking
Position created on September 2, 2026
