Senior Vice President, General Counsel

Company Profile

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 an industry workforce of more than 255,000 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 advocate[JJ1] for policies that create jobs 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 who start every day knowing that their work makes a difference. SEIA fosters an inclusive, lively company culture that values our employees’ varied backgrounds and experiences and celebrates team success. The Association has earned numerous awards for its work and company culture and was named The Washington Post as a Top Workplace in 2023 and 2024 and by the Nonprofit Times as one of the “Best Nonprofits to Work For” in America in April 2022

Position Summary

The General Counsel, Senior Vice President, is a key member of SEIA’s executive leadership team and serves as a strategic legal partner to the CEO, executive leadership team, and the Board of Directors, supporting sound governance, informed decision-making, and the achievement of the Association’s strategic objectives. The General Counsel provides enterprise-wide legal counsel and partners across all departments.

This executive oversees the Association’s legal function, providing leadership and guidance to internal legal staff and directing the work of outside counsel across a broad range of legal matters. Working collaboratively across the organization, the General Counsel advises on corporate governance, contracts, employment matters, tax-exempt organization compliance, political law, intellectual property, litigation, strategic partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, and other complex business and operational initiatives. The General Counsel plays an integral role in evaluating organizational opportunities, resolving legal and business challenges, and developing policies and practices that strengthen the Association’s operations.

As a member of the executive leadership team, the General Counsel works closely with leaders across all business functions to ensure legal considerations are thoughtfully integrated into organizational planning and decision making. This role requires a collaborative, solutions-oriented leader who can balance legal risk with practical business objectives while building strong relationships with member companies, external partners, policy makers and key stakeholders.

Importantly, the scope of this executive role may also be tailored to reflect the experience and expertise of the successful candidate to help address the Association’s strategic needs and goals. Depending on the needs of the Association and the specific areas of expertise of the executive, the position may also include executive oversight of one or more of the Association’s related functional areas, such as advocacy, regulatory affairs, or trade.

The General Counsel reports to the CEO.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

• Foster trusted, collaborative relationships with the Board of Directors, CEO, executive leadership team, and departmental leaders to support effective governance and organizational decision making.
• Provide strategic legal counsel to the CEO and executive leadership team in support of  the Association’s mission, strategic objectives, and business operations.
• Partner with leaders across all departments to integrate legal strategy into organizational planning, decision-making, and execution.
• Oversee the Association’s legal affairs, including corporate governance, contracts, employment law, litigation, tax-exempt compliance, political law and lobbying compliance, antitrust, intellectual property, privacy, and enterprise risk management.
• Serve as the lead legal advisor on significant business transactions, strategic partnerships, acquisitions, joint ventures, and other complex organizational initiatives.
• Coordinate legal services across the Association by partnering with executive leadership and departmental leaders to assess legal needs, engage and oversee outside counsel as appropriate, and ensure consistent, effective legal support for organizational initiatives and business operations.
• Develop, implement, and oversee the Association’s legal compliance and risk management programs, ensuring adherence to applicable laws, regulations, and governing documents.
• Lead, develop and mentor internal legal staff while fostering collaboration and alignment across the organization.
• Represent the Association in litigation, government investigations, administrative proceedings, and other legal matters.
• Provide strategic legal guidance to support member engagement and initiatives that advance the Association’s mission and the solar and storage industry.
• Represent the Association with member companies, policymakers, industry partners, and other external stakeholders on legal, governance, and business matters, as appropriate.
• Depending on the experience and expertise of the selected candidate and the strategic needs of the Association, the position may include executive leadership responsibility for one or more of SEIA’s functional areas, such as advocacy, regulatory or trade.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible legal experience, preferably in a senior leadership role within a trade association, nonprofit organization, corporation, or law firm serving highly regulated industries.
• Demonstrated experience providing strategic legal counsel to executive leadership on complex legal, governance, business, and operational matters.
• Significant experience in corporate governance, contracts, employment law, litigation management, compliance, enterprise risk management, and tax-exempt organization law. Experience with antitrust, political law, and intellectual property is strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and mentor high performing legal teams while effectively managing and coordinating outside counsel.
• Demonstrated success partnering across multiple business functions and collaborating with diverse internal and external stakeholders to advance organizational objectives.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills, with the executive presence, integrity, and judgement necessary to build trusted relationships with the Board of Directors, executive leadership, member companies, and external stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of the governance, operations, and legal responsibilities of trade associations and nonprofit organizations, including the dynamics of member engagement and committee governance.
• Strategic thinker with a practical, business-oriented approach to legal counsel and a demonstrated ability to balance legal risk with organizational priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement proactive legal strategies, compliance programs, and risk management initiatives that support organizational success.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate across multiple functions, balancing legal considerations with strategic business objectives in a complex, mission-driven organization.
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-Accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in the District of Columbia, or eligibility to obtain admission. Admission to the U.S. Supreme Court Bar is preferred.  
• Experience working in the renewable energy, clean energy, or broader energy industries is preferred.

 Working Conditions

• Position is full-time.
• This position is based in the Washington, D.C. office.
• SEIA employees in the Washington, D.C. region follow a hybrid remote and in-person office model. Employees are expected to work a minimum of 3 days a week in SEIA’s offices (or engaged in in-person meetings on behalf of SEIA).
• Evening or weekend hours may be required when there are special events or meetings
• Travel 20-25%

 Compensation Range

• $275,000- $350,000 annually, based on experience, with an excellent benefits package. 

Working at SEIA

SEIA welcomes different perspectives, identities, and backgrounds, working collaboratively in support of our mission, regardless of job function. We believe this creates a more resilient organization that supports a strong, equitable solar industry. SEIA envisions an industry that is committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect for all.

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 applicable 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.

SEIA is an EVerify employer.