Legal counsel (remote)

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!

Step Up For Students empowers families to pursue and engage in the most appropriate learning options for their children. Step Up For Students empowers families to pursue the most appropriate learning options for their children. We unite communities to provide scholarships that open doors to a stronger future. With this support, students can choose the right learning environment and access resources to reach their full potential.

Our culture is rooted in two core values:

• Everyone is an asset
• Every event is an improvement opportunity

These values guide how we work together and continuously improve. We expect every team member to bring these principles to life in their daily work.

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, seeking guidance from the General Counsel and Senior Counsel, as appropriate, on complex or high-risk issues.
• Draft, review, revise, negotiate (as applicable), and provide counsel regarding contracts, legal memoranda, and other legal documents, including identifying risks and recommending appropriate risk mitigation strategies. For example, drafting, reviewing, and negotiating Master Service, Consulting, Non-Disclosure, Collaboration, and other Technology-related Agreements and managing transactional matters end-to-end.
• 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, maintaining contract templates, playbooks, and standard forms and tracking contract status and renewals, and assisting with monitoring compliance with contractual obligations in collaboration with Procurement, Vendor Management, and other relevant departments.
• Assist in maintaining compliance with Federal tax-exempt requirements under the Internal Revenue Service (e.g. 501(c)(3) compliance) and state nonprofit requirements (per applicable state law).
• Conduct legal research and analysis on assigned matters, including SFO/SGO statutory and regulatory requirements, scholarship program administration, organizational compliance, corporate governance, fraud and risk-related matters, present findings, analysis, and recommendations to support legal guidance and decision-making.
• 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, summarize potential operational impacts, and support related compliance updates in consultation with the General Counsel and Senior Counsel.
• Track claims, disputes, regulatory, and compliance matters, and potential litigation matters; identify and escalate legal risks to the General Counsel and Senior Counsel, as appropriate; and support approved risk mitigation actions.
• 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 (from intake through execution).
• Active membership in good standing with the Florida Bar or eligible for authorized in-house counsel registration.

You’ll Stand Out If You Have:

• 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, including the ability to identify legal risks and recommend practical solutions.
• 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. Ability to independently manage assigned matters with little to no oversight.
• 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

Why you’ll love working here:

• Award-Winning Culture: We’ve been named one of the Best Companies to Work For four years in a row by Florida Trend and Workforce Research Group and honored as one of the Healthiest Companies by Florida’s First Coast Worksite Wellness Council. Fast Company recognized us as one of the Best Workplaces for Innovators—proof that we foster an environment where big ideas and bold thinking are encouraged.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Enjoy medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus HSA, FSA, and Lifestyle Spending Accounts. We also offer a competitive 401(k) with company match to help you plan for the future.
• Flexibility & Work-Life Harmony: Remote work options and unique time-off programs—including 14 paid holidays, Care and Parental Leave, and our Flexible Leave policy.
• Growth & Development: From mentorship programs to management training and professional development opportunities, we invest in your career journey every step of the way.
• Supportive Professional Environment: Our dedicated coaching team is here to help you succeed, and employee-led committees give you a voice in shaping our workplace. Collaboration isn’t just encouraged, it’s how we work.

Working Conditions and Equipment Use:

Work is performed indoors in a typical office environment - not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions. 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.