Paralegal

Title: Paralegal

Department/Location: Legal / Shared Services (St. Louis)

Position Type: Full-Time (Non-Exempt), 12-month

Summary

The Paralegal provides legal, administrative, and project support to the Office of General Counsel and serves as a key resource for immigration, compliance, governance, estate administration, and planned giving matters. The position assists with preparation of legal documents, correspondence, reports, and transactional materials; coordinates immigration processes for employees; manages legal records; and supports Finance, Accounting, and Advancement in the administration of estates, trusts, bequests, and other donor-directed gifts. The role requires exceptional judgment, attention to detail, discretion, and the ability to manage multiple confidential matters simultaneously.

Who We Are

At our award-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education—blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia’s team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of alumni and friends. 

Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued.

Primary Responsibilities

Legal Matter Support 

• Assists with preparation, submission, and tracking of immigration-related filings and supporting documentation for students and employees, including H-1B, E-3, and other visa-related matters
• Maintains immigration records and compliance calendars, monitors deadlines, and coordinates document collection with employees, HR, and external counsel
• Prepares draft correspondence, support letters, forms, and legal documentation for review by the General Counsel
• Partners with departments across the School, College, and Shared Services to coordinate policy development, revisions, and implementation efforts, ensuring alignment with legal, regulatory, and institutional requirements
• Conducts legal and regulatory research and compiles findings into concise summaries and recommendations for review by General Counsel
• Drafts, edits, and formats correspondence, reports, presentations, policies, procedures, and other legal and compliance materials
• Assists with preparation of board materials, executive reports, risk management summaries, and compliance communications.
• Monitors deadlines, action items, and follow-up requirements across active legal matters
• Supports compliance initiatives, training programs, audits, and reporting obligations

• Maintains organized electronic and physical legal files and records

Planned Giving, Estate, and Bequest Administration 

• Serves as the primary administrative liaison among Legal, Accounting, Advancement, donors, family representatives, attorneys, trustees, personal representatives, and financial institutions regarding estates, trusts, beneficiary designations, and bequests benefiting Principia
• Reviews, organizes, and maintains estate administration documents, including wills, trusts, probate filings, court orders, fiduciary correspondence, account statements, and gift documentation
• Tracks active estate, trust, and bequest matters from notification through final distribution and closing, maintaining accurate records and status reports
• Collaborates with the Bequest Oversight Committee (General Counsel, CFO, and CAO) to track progress on receipt of bequests, including confirming the appropriate institutional designation and use of received funds
• Coordinates collection of required documentation and assists in preparing correspondence, acknowledgments, receipts, and supporting materials related to testamentary gifts
• Monitors deadlines, follow-up items, and reporting obligations associated with probate proceedings, trust administrations, and other gift settlement matters
• Assists with documentation supporting planned gifts, beneficiary designations, charitable trusts, charitable gift annuities, and other deferred gift arrangements
• Works closely with the accounting department to ensure receipt, documentation, recording, and reconciliation of estate and bequest distributions
• Prepares periodic reports regarding active estates, anticipated distributions, realized bequests, and other planned giving matters
• Maintains confidential donor and estate records in accordance with institutional policies, legal requirements, and donor intent
• Supports Advancement and Planned Giving staff in stewarding estate representatives, attorneys, fiduciaries, and donor families

Core Competencies

Principia values the unique strengths each employee brings to their role. The following competencies are especially important for success at Principia:

• Continuous Learning & Expertise: Demonstrates mastery in your area of responsibility and seeks opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Accountability & Results Orientation: Manages time and priorities effectively, meets commitments, and consistently delivers high-quality outcomes.
• Problem Solving & Judgment: Approaches challenges thoughtfully, considers multiple perspectives, and makes sound, timely decisions that support institutional goals.
• Proactivity & Ownership: Takes initiative, anticipates needs, and drives projects forward with minimal supervision while taking responsibility for outcomes.
• Excellence & Attention to Detail: Produces accurate, polished, and high-quality work; continuously looks for ways to improve systems, processes, and results.
• Service Orientation: Builds positive, supportive relationships and responds promptly and professionally to the needs of students, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
• Collaboration & Collegiality: Works cooperatively across departments and teams; values input from others and contributes to a positive, respectful environment.
• Communication: Shares information clearly and concisely; listens carefully to others and adjusts communication style for different audiences and situations.
• Inclusion & Belonging: Demonstrates respect for all people; values diverse perspectives and fosters a culture of inclusion, belonging, and mutual respect.

Minimum Qualifications

• Student of Christian Science preferred 
• Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding-statements
• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience required
• Paralegal certificate
• 5–8+ years of experience in a legal, compliance, higher education, accounting, estate administration, or similar professional environment
• Experience preparing business correspondence, reports, and transactional documentation
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidential records and information
  

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work but are not a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of Principia. 

Compensation and Benefits

We offer a competitive starting salary range for this position commensurate with experience and qualifications.

In addition to salary, our comprehensive total rewards package includes:

• Generous Employee Tuition Discount: Enjoy a 90% discount on tuition (pro-rated for part-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Pre-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded).

• Relocation: Principia provides a relocation reimbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles.
• Professional Development: Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Learn more about all our benefits here, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, paid time off, a 403(b) retirement plan with Principia matching, and more.
  

Equal Opportunity 

Principia, a mission-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status.

In hiring, admissions, and related decisions, Principia—as an institution with a religious mission—gives preference, where appropriate, to Christian Scientists.