The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is the national trade association for the solar and storage industry and represents more than 1,000 member companies and 255,000 Americans working across the United States. SEIA is leading the transformation to a clean energy economy and is creating the framework for solar to reach 30% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030. We work with our member companies and strategic partners to fight for policies that create jobs in every community and shape fair market rules that promote competition and the growth of reliable, low-cost solar power.
SEIA does this by supporting pro-solar policies at the state and federal level, developing cutting-edge market research, hosting educational events and webinars, and serving as the voice of the solar and storage industry.
SEIA employees are passionate, forward-thinking leaders that start every day knowing that their work makes a difference. SEIA values diversity and fosters an inclusive, lively company culture that celebrates team success. The association has earned numerous awards for its work and company culture and was named the Washington post as a 2023 Top Workplace and by the Nonprofit Times as one of the “Best Nonprofits to Work For” in America in April 2022.
Position Summary
The Vice President, General Counsel is a key member of SEIA’s leadership team and is responsible for managing and driving the Association’s legal operations, which includes leading the Association’s strategic and tactical legal initiatives for corporate governance, consumer protection, business initiative and other activities in support of the solar and storage industry. The Vice President, General Counsel works as a trusted business partner in providing the Board of Directors and the General leadership team with effective advice on Association strategies and their implementation. This executive manages the internal legal department and obtains and oversees the work of outside counsel. The Vice President, General Counsel is directly involved and an integral part of complex business transactions, legal policy challenges, and development and oversight of internal operations.
The Vice President, General Counsel is responsible for corporate governance, trade association compliance with tax, election laws, contract, policy development, and litigation efforts both in support of the Association activities (defending and asserting Association rights and property) and public policy initiatives. The Vice President, General Counsel will be a collaborative member of the Association’s executive team and will be professionally poised to step directly into a dynamic, high-energy organization, and serve in a rapidly growing industry. This is a strategic role which requires member collaboration and strategic leadership and execution.
Core Duties & Responsibilities
Establish the relationship of “trusted” advisor to the CEO and leadership team.
Provide legal guidance on all matters that affect the Association.
Oversee the compliance and risk management activities of the Association, including federal and state political giving compliance; ensure all contracts ratified by the organization follow policies and legal guidelines; advise on human resources legal and compliance matters.
Lead the legal operations/staff strategy and communicate overall direction of the organization while collaborating closely with the Association’s General leadership team, government constituencies, member companies, and other key audiences.
Serve as key legal advisor on all major business transactions, including acquisitions and joint ventures.
Provide member company executives with legal and strategic guidance on legal and policy issues impacting the industry.
Advise on corporate governance and appropriate business structures for transactions or in furtherance of policy goals.
Oversees the selection, retention, management and evaluation of litigation and other outside counsel.
Serves a key risk management function by focusing on Association compliance with applicable laws and regulations and its own governing documents.
Develop, implement, and manage comprehensive consumer protection programs and polices for solar and storage industry
Judges the merits of major court cases filed against or on behalf of the Association, works with the appropriate executive(s) to define a strategic defense and approves settlements of disputes where warranted.
Requirements:
Professional Experience, Education & Other Qualifications
Must have a minimum of 10 years of legal experience, preferably from comparable trade associations in highly regulated industries.
Must have substantive experience in issues related to risk management, contracts law, labor, consumer protection, and employment law.
Experience working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and outstanding manager of team.
Must have strong communication and organizational skills, credibility, and judgment necessary to gain respect and confidence of Associates General leadership and its members.
Must demonstrate familiarity with the trade association environment, the roles and responsibilities of a trade association vis-à-vis its member companies and the dynamics of member committee representation.
Must be outstanding strategist, and personal communicator with a track record of developing positive relationships with all stakeholders, including all levels of management.
Possesses a deep understanding of legal fundamentals, with the ability to advise General management and constituents with confidence.
Expertise in managing corporate governance and compliance; Deep understanding of antitrust and nonprofit taxation issues.
Ability to develop and execute both reactive and proactive strategies and tactics.
Juris Doctorate from an ABA-Accredited law school.
Active license to practice law in the District of Columbia and admission to the federal bar (preferably to include the US Supreme Court)
Experience working in the solar and/or broader energy industries.
Working Conditions
Position is based in Washington, D.C.
SEIA employees in the Washington, D.C. region follow a hybrid remote and in-person office model. Employees are expected work minimum of 3 days a week in an office environment and as needed when there are special events or meetings
Travel 20-25%
Compensation Range
$240,000 - $260,000 annually, based on experience, and excellent benefits package
Working at SEIA
SEIA values diversity, inclusion and equity within our organization and the promotion of these values across the solar industry. We strive to welcome different perspectives, identities, and backgrounds, regardless of job function in order to create a more resilient organization that supports a strong, equitable solar industry. SEIA envisions an industry that is committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity. We aim to achieve this by encouraging openness and transparency about diversity issues and progress. We will develop strategies, programs, and tools that seek to equalize opportunities within SEIA and allow for discussing and sharing best practices within the solar industry.
SEIA provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, homelessness, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. SEIA complies with applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which we employ staff. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.