General Counsel

Who We Are

ghSMART is a leadership advisory firm dedicated to creating value for CEOs, boards, and investors. We partner with our clients to solve their most critical business decisions, becoming their trusted advisor on their most important people and talent priorities. As the first call for some of the world's most influential executives, we offer a data driven perspective on their leadership and talent strategy. Our team is made up of over 175 extraordinary individuals who become trusted advisors to these leaders, helping amplify their positive impact on the world. We advise on the art and science of building winning leadership teams, doing meaningful work every day. We hire the very best talent, and our team has the freedom to work where they choose.

What You’ll Do 

As General Counsel, you will be responsible for providing enterprise-wide legal support to help scale our organization. You will work closely with the Operating Team (President, CFO, CHRO), compliance function, and our client service teams across several geographies, reporting directly to the CFO. Your role will involve leading contract negotiations with existing and prospective clients and building and fostering strong relationships with clients, internal colleagues, and third-party service providers. You will oversee the assessment and prioritization of legal issues, evaluate client services and internal practices, and ensure compliance with evolving laws and regulations affecting our business. Additionally, you will lead the implementation of necessary legal changes, driving adoption throughout the organization. Success in this role requires strong client service orientation, a high level of executive presence, clear communication, and collaboration with key stakeholders to ensure alignment on solutions. 

Responsibilities

• Align legal strategy with firm goals, supporting >90% client satisfaction, >90% team retention, and ensuring adherence to financial budgets. 
• Foster internal relationships to effectively support all teams across the organization. 
• Build strong client relationships, providing commercially viable solutions while minimizing risk to ghSMART. 
• Manage and control external legal expenses, keeping them within budget. 
• Streamline contract processes to reduce cycle times and optimize efficiency. 
• Master and continually improve core client documents to reduce unnecessary negotiations. 
• Measure and minimize contract turnaround times while delivering exceptional service to clients and internal stakeholders. 
• Materially reduce third-party legal spend on contracting and HR issues, including severance and benefits, 2023 levels. 
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legal regulations, including corporate, shareholder, HR, and employment policies, and stay informed on legal updates affecting the business. 
• Maintain company policies in line with labor and tax laws. 
• Be a value-added partner, proactively advising the operating team, consultants, and partners on ethical issues like conflicts of interest and do-not-serve lists. 
• Lead special projects, such as new market entry. 

You Bring

• Juris Doctorate (JD) degree with at least 5 years of relevant legal experience. 
• Expertise in contract law, employment law, and data privacy. 
• Experience with professional services firms and a strong understanding of business operations and strategic alignment with organizational goals. 
• A proactive approach to identifying and addressing legal needs with minimal direction. 
• The ability to manage both company-wide and individual requirements effectively. 
• Appropriate calibration in assessing and managing risk that supports business objectives and mitigates downside. 
• A commitment to ethical standards and transparency in all dealings. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to convey complex legal information clearly and persuasively. 
• The ability to effectively influence and persuade others to align with legal strategies and solutions. 
• Strong follow through on commitments made, meeting all deadlines.
• Genuine care and appreciation for the well-being of clients and team members. 

Why join ghSMART? 

Opportunity to become the best. Our clients are the best of the best, so we have to be too. You’ll learn and grow as part of a team of exceptional people, working in an environment of generosity and gratitude. 

Do meaningful work. Our clients are leading world impact, and you will influence that daily. 

Have your voice and talents recognized. We are a flat organization that values proactivity and ability over bureaucracy and tenure. All our decisions and actions are guided by our Values and Credo - to help leaders amplify their positive impact on the world. 

Feel like an owner. ghSMART is 100% employee owned. All team members have the opportunity to buy our stock. 

Compensation  

Certain US jurisdictions require ghSMART to include a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role. We are built on a culture of freedom and flexibility, we operate fully remotely, and our team members balance deeply energizing, high intensity work, with flexible schedules to support life outside of work. Our compensation model reflects these values. Compensation for this role in the United States includes base salary, annual discretionary performance bonus, 401(k) plan with an annual employer contribution, and a comprehensive benefits package. You should reasonably expect a base salary of $175,000 - $215,000.

We are ranked #1 in 14 Consulting categories by Vault. See what others think about working at ghSMART on Glassdoor.

Please be advised that all emails will originate from the @ghsmart.com domain; any other domains are fraudulent, should be ignored, and deleted. 

ghSMART is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace across all of our global locations. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and ensure equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Our global policies and practices are designed to support an environment of respect and equity for all.