[Hiring] Legal Counsel @Step Up For Students

Role Description

Do you have a passion for children and education? Would you like to positively impact families in need of help? We want to speak with you!

The Legal Counsel provides strategic and practical legal support to Step Up For Students, Inc. and its affiliates (SUFS) across a broad range of transactional, regulatory, compliance, corporate governance, and operational matters. This role serves as a trusted legal advisor to the organization, independently managing assigned legal matters from intake through execution, including the drafting, review, negotiation, and administration of contracts, terms and conditions, vendor agreements, and other legal documents.

In addition to transactional responsibilities, the Legal Counsel supports the SUFS Legal team in interpreting and advising on scholarship-funding organization (SFO) and scholarship-granting organization (SGO) requirements, regulatory obligations, organizational policies, risk management initiatives, and fraud prevention matters. The role conducts legal research, analyzes emerging laws and regulations, and provides timely, business-focused guidance to support organizational objectives while mitigating legal and compliance risks.

Working closely with leaders and stakeholders across the organization, the Legal Counsel contributes to the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and governance frameworks that promote operational effectiveness and regulatory compliance. The position also supports dispute resolution, litigation management, investigations, and other legal projects as needed.

Reporting to the General Counsel and partnering closely with Senior Counsel, this role exercises sound legal judgment, proactively identifies risks and opportunities, and escalates complex, high-risk, or sensitive matters as appropriate. The ideal candidate combines strong legal expertise with a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach and the ability to balance business needs with legal and regulatory requirements.

Location: Remote (United States)

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide legal advice and support on assigned business transactions, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and other legal and operational matters across the organization.
• Draft, review, revise, negotiate (as applicable), and provide counsel regarding contracts, legal memoranda, and other legal documents.
• Manage assigned commercial and transactional matters end-to-end, including issue spotting, drafting and redlining, negotiation, coordination with business stakeholders, approval and escalation of material risks, execution, and post-execution legal support.
• Support the contract management process and workflows by coordinating contract reviews and required approvals.
• Assist in maintaining compliance with Federal tax-exempt requirements under the Internal Revenue Service (e.g. 501(c)(3) compliance) and state nonprofit requirements.
• Conduct legal research and analysis on assigned matters, including SFO/SGO statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to obtain information and supporting documentation related to contracts, legal requests, disputes, litigation, compliance, and other assigned legal matters.
• Monitor changes in laws and regulations relevant to assigned practice areas.
• Track claims, disputes, regulatory, and compliance matters, and potential litigation matters.
• Communicate and coordinate with external counsel on assigned legal matters, as directed.
• Provide additional legal support as needed to fulfill the responsibilities and priorities of the SUFS Legal team.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Minimum four (4) years of progressively responsible legal experience, preferably experience in contract drafting, review, revision, negotiation, and managing transactional matters end-to-end.
• Active membership in good standing with the Florida Bar or eligible for authorized in-house counsel registration.

Requirements

• Experience in financial services technology (fintech), payments, digital commerce, marketplace platforms, or other technology-enabled regulated businesses is desirable.
• Prior in-house experience or experience working collaboratively with procurement, vendor management, and other business functions desirable.

Key Competencies

• Strong contract review, drafting, and revision skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple matters, competing priorities, and deadlines.
• Ethical judgment and professional integrity.
• Collaboration and teamwork within the legal function as well as functions across the organization.
• Initiative and self-direction.
• Accountability and follow-through.
• Adaptability and flexibility.

Interview Process

• Veriff Identity Verification
• Recruiter Video Interview
• Senior Counsel Video Interview
• General Counsel Video Interview
• Peer Final Video Interview

Benefits

• Enjoy medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus HSA, FSA, and Lifestyle Spending Accounts.
• Competitive 401(k) with company match.
• Remote work options and unique time-off programs, including 14 paid holidays, Care and Parental Leave, and our Flexible Leave policy.
• Mentorship programs, management training, and professional development opportunities.
• Dedicated coaching team and employee-led committees for workplace collaboration.

Working Conditions and Equipment Use

• Work is performed indoors in a typical office environment.
• Valid driver’s license and proof of insurance may be required, depending on role responsibilities.
• Must be able to lift up to fifteen (15) pounds.
• Frequent use of office machines to include telephone, computer and printer.

Step Up For Students is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity & inclusion in the workplace.