Director, Legal Jobs

Explore Director, Legal opportunities for experienced attorneys ready to guide business strategy, manage legal risk, and lead high-impact teams. Ladders features vetted professional roles with salaries of $100,000 or more, helping you discover legal leadership positions that match your experience and career goals.

What Does a Director of Legal Do?

A Director of Legal oversees an organization’s legal work and provides practical counsel to executives and business teams. Responsibilities may include negotiating and reviewing contracts, advising on regulatory requirements, managing litigation and outside counsel, supporting corporate transactions, and developing policies that help the organization operate responsibly.

Common Qualifications and Skills

Employers often seek a law degree, an active license to practice in the relevant jurisdiction, and substantial experience in a law firm, in-house legal department, or both. Strong candidates combine legal judgment with communication, negotiation, leadership, and business skills. Depending on the employer, expertise in areas such as commercial contracts, privacy, employment, compliance, intellectual property, or corporate governance may be valuable.

Career Paths and Work Settings

Director, Legal roles are available across industries and organizations, including technology, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and professional services. The position may report to a general counsel, chief legal officer, or senior business leader, and can be a path toward broader general counsel or executive leadership responsibilities.

Find Director, Legal Jobs on Ladders

Search Ladders for vetted Director, Legal openings with salaries of $100,000 or more. Compare opportunities by location, industry, scope, and experience requirements, then focus your search on roles aligned with your legal background and leadership ambitions.

1,000+

Director, Legal Jobs

Average Salary: $195,810

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Top companies hiring for Director, Legal

Harrison and Star Cooley LLP Cisco Womble Bond Dickinson DLA Piper Prologis, Inc Real Chemistry Visa Inc Fish & Richardson PayPal Goodwin Procter Merck & Co, Inc Brex Inc Ankura Consulting Group Teva Pharmaceuticals

Top similar job titles to Director, Legal

Legal Counsel jobs Senior Counsel jobs Paralegal jobs Corporate Counsel jobs Associate General Counsel jobs Executive Director jobs General Counsel jobs Contracts Manager jobs Project Manager jobs Account Director jobs Compliance Manager jobs Litigation Attorney jobs Assistant General Counsel jobs Regulatory Affairs Manager jobs Senior Marketing Manager jobs

Top cities hiring for Director, Legal

New York, NY jobs San Francisco, CA jobs Los Angeles, CA jobs Chicago, IL jobs Boston, MA jobs Washington, DC jobs Atlanta, GA jobs Toronto, ON jobs Dallas, TX jobs Seattle, WA jobs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What does a Director of Legal do?
A Director of Legal leads or oversees legal services for an organization, advises business leaders, manages legal risk, and may supervise attorneys or coordinate outside counsel. The exact scope varies by company and industry.
What qualifications are typically required for Director, Legal jobs?
Employers commonly require a law degree, bar admission in the relevant jurisdiction, and significant legal experience. Leadership ability, business judgment, and expertise in the employer’s legal needs are also important.
How much do Director, Legal jobs pay?
Compensation varies based on factors such as location, industry, organization size, and experience. Ladders focuses on vetted professional opportunities paying $100,000 or more.
Where can I find Director, Legal jobs?
Search Ladders for vetted Director, Legal openings paying $100,000 or more, and use available filters to narrow results by location, industry, and other preferences.
What is the difference between a Director of Legal and a General Counsel?
A General Counsel typically serves as the organization’s top legal executive, while a Director of Legal may lead a function, team, or major area of legal work and often reports to the General Counsel. Titles and responsibilities vary by organization.