Director, Legal Operations

Braven

Director of Legal Operations at Braven, supporting core Legal Team functions and risk compliance efforts. Involves legal research, transactional matters, and collaboration with General Counsel.

Posted 6/23/2026full-timeNewark • New Jersey • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $101,200 - $126,400 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as the first point of contact for contract and grant review requests
Prepare and provide guidance on organizational contracts, grant agreements, leases, and memoranda of understanding
Own the contract management infrastructure, including systems, practices, clause libraries, periodic audits, and analytics, evolving practices to maximize organizational efficiency
Support Braven’s New Sites and Current Sites teams during Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) negotiations and renewals as needed
Mitigate organizational risk through implementing a strategy that strengthens contract terms, ensures organizational compliance, and supports Braven’s mission and strategic direction
Develop and lead or co-facilitate staff trainings related to contract negotiation, Braven policies, and relevant developments
Own the trademark application process
Maintain and provide updated agreement templates in accordance with shifting policies
Manage and continuously improve Higher Education Partner MOU templates
Track baseline metrics for contract response times, rates, turnaround, and completion to evaluate efficiency and effectiveness
Steward internal teams through the execution of contracts and agreements, ensuring signatories understand their obligations
Own and ensure organizational compliance with the record retention policy, and schedule knowledge management processes
Coordinate with and support the Finance team as needed regarding state registrations and corporate filings
Serve as a thought partner to staff members navigating internal legal processes and requirements
Partner with the Data and Systems teams to ensure data sharing agreements associated with partner MOU’s and vendor contracts are aligned with Braven's policies and values
Partner with Data and Transformation teams related to Braven’s AI initiatives
Design and manage the Legal Team’s knowledge management page on Confluence
Own the monitoring of legislative and regulatory changes in all Braven hubs; propose organizational policy changes as needed
Research and provide updates to staff on matters pertaining to federal and state law compliance and university partnerships
Support Braven’s Policy team with the review of current and proposed legislation impacting Braven and/or its higher education partners
Direct and guide the work of ensuring lobbying activity is compliant across jurisdictions by reviewing required filings, monitoring federal and state developments, and coordinating with General Counsel and Policy team
Support Braven’s People team by assisting with workplace investigations as needed
Support Braven’s Finance team with issues related to procurement and financial audits
Develop and facilitate risk management trainings
Monitor incident report submissions regarding students and coordinate organizational response as appropriate
Lead document collection and production in response to external information requests
Identify and mitigate risk in organizational operations/processes and independently escalate critical compliance issues as needed
Serve as the subject matter expert on legal AI trends, tools, and opportunities, and co-lead the Legal Team's AI strategy
Conduct research and analysis on various issues relevant to the higher education industry and nonprofit organizations
Prepare and present slide decks as needed
Draft, review, update, and interpret Braven policies and procedures
Coordinate matters with outside counsel as needed
Assist in shaping the Legal Department’s strategic priorities for future fiscal years
Support the General Counsel with unplanned, time-sensitive requests arising from the dynamic nature of a growing organization, including drafting communications, preparing materials for urgent stakeholder engagements, and executing on organizational priorities as they emerge.
Drive various projects that may involve other teams
Be a strategic and innovative thinker who can offer a solutions and outcomes mindset to complex legal matters
Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

What you’ll need

4 years of experience in a legal setting (can include experience after college prior to earning a JD and legal internships)
Juris Doctor
Licensed to practice law in any of Braven’s hubs
Technical Skills and Knowledge: Proficiency in Google Suite and Slack
Exemplify an ability to work both independently and collaboratively, efficiently and effectively in a fast-paced environment
Knowledge of issues impacting higher education and/or the nonprofit sectors
Ability to nurture collaborative approaches to problem solving
Experience that has informed your belief in Braven’s mission and has prepared you to work with or for Braven’s students
Excellent analytical, drafting, research, and oral and written communication skills
Steady, unflappable demeanor

Benefits

Comp & perks

Unlimited vacation time in addition to org-wide holidays and week-long shutdowns in July and the end of the calendar year (this is a minimum of 19 days per year)
Braven supports your path to parenthood and beyond with $25,000 in lifetime Carrot benefits for fertility, family-building, and hormonal health
Match of your 401K contribution up to 5% of your base annual salary, starting your first full month
Coverage of 85% of health insurance premium for employee and dependents
12 weeks of paid parental leave
A one-month paid sabbatical after 4 years on staff

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

contract managementgrant reviewlegal researchpolicy draftingrisk managementcompliance monitoringdata sharing agreementsnegotiationanalytical skillsdocument production

Soft Skills

collaborative problem solvingstrategic thinkingeffective communicationindependent workteam leadershiptraining facilitationadaptabilityattention to detailtime managementinnovative mindset

Certifications

Juris Doctorlicensed to practice law