Senior Legal Counsel

Job Posting Organization:
The Wikimedia Foundation is a nonprofit organization that operates Wikipedia and other Wikimedia free knowledge projects. Established with the mission to make the sum of all human knowledge freely accessible to everyone, the Foundation is a hub for a global movement involving hundreds of thousands of contributors. It is dedicated to protecting the privacy of its readers, contributors, and donors, which is a fundamental aspect of its operations. The organization is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity based in the United States, with offices in San Francisco, California, and it operates in over 40 countries worldwide. The Foundation relies on donations from millions of individuals, with an average contribution of about $15, and also receives institutional grants and gifts. As an equal opportunity employer, the Wikimedia Foundation values diversity and inclusivity in its workforce, striving to maintain an equitable workplace for all individuals regardless of their background.

Job Overview:
As the Senior Legal Counsel, you will play a crucial role in providing comprehensive in-house legal guidance to the Fundraising, Product, and Engineering teams. Your primary responsibility will be to ensure that the Foundation can innovate while safeguarding the privacy of its global community. This position requires navigating the evolving landscape of regulations related to marketing and artificial intelligence, advising on the development of the Wikimedia technical platform, and fostering a global legal ecosystem that supports the mission of free knowledge. Reporting to the Associate General Counsel, you will focus on legal matters pertaining to marketing and fundraising engagement, as well as disintermediation, ensuring that the Foundation's initiatives align with legal standards and best practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Your duties will include analyzing current and upcoming regulations concerning marketing, customization, and fundraising initiatives to support the Advancement, Product, and Technology teams. You will collaborate with the Foundation's legal team and public policy professionals to address the implications of Generative AI and work towards creating a legal environment conducive to the growth of free knowledge. Additionally, you will identify and implement opportunities to advance the Wikimedia mission within a complex and changing technological and legal landscape. Supporting the Product and Engineering teams, you will help develop a data governance model that allows for innovative features while upholding high privacy standards, particularly in reader engagement.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for this position, you must possess a J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school or an equivalent foreign degree, ideally complemented by significant legal experience in the U.S. You should have a strong background in product, privacy, marketing, and internet law issues, particularly in advising user-facing digital technology or internet companies. A minimum of 5-7 years of experience in legal review related to go-to-market strategies, fundraising, technical products, or online services is essential. You should also have substantial experience collaborating with engineering teams as a counselor and advisor to achieve organizational objectives. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, along with meticulous attention to detail and fluency in English, are mandatory.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited U.S. law school or an equivalent foreign law degree. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complex legal landscape in which the Wikimedia Foundation operates, particularly in relation to product development, privacy, and marketing.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least 5-7 years of relevant legal experience, particularly in the areas of product, privacy, and internet law. Experience working as in-house counsel for a user-facing digital technology or internet company is highly desirable, especially if the company has a global reach. Familiarity with legal review processes for go-to-market strategies and fundraising initiatives is also important, as is experience working closely with engineering teams to achieve organizational goals.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, it would be advantageous to have proficiency in other languages, as this could enhance communication with diverse teams and stakeholders across the globe. Experience living or working outside the United States or involvement in international legal issues would also be beneficial.

Additional Notes:
This position is remote-first, allowing for flexibility in work location. The Wikimedia Foundation is committed to maintaining a diverse workforce and encourages applicants from various backgrounds to apply. The anticipated annual salary range for this position for applicants based in the United States is between $109,920 and $167,448, with compensation adjusted based on individual factors such as location and experience. For applicants located outside the U.S., the pay range will be tailored to the specific country of hire. The Foundation does not consider salary history in its compensation decisions, focusing instead on the skills and experience of the applicant. The organization is open to hiring in various U.S. states and several countries, ensuring compliance with local employment laws.