The Wikimedia Foundation, the nonprofit organization behind Wikipedia and other free knowledge projects, is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to join its global team. This remote, home-based role provides an exciting opportunity to shape the legal landscape of one of the world’s most influential open knowledge platforms. The successful candidate will provide in-house legal guidance to the Fundraising, Product, and Engineering teams, ensuring innovation and privacy protection while supporting Wikimedia’s mission of freely sharing human knowledge worldwide.
About the Wikimedia Foundation
Founded to support free and accessible knowledge, the Wikimedia Foundation hosts Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, and multiple other free educational projects. The organization empowers millions of volunteers worldwide to contribute to a shared repository of human knowledge. Key aspects of the Foundation include:
- Developing and maintaining software for reading, contributing, and sharing content
- Supporting volunteer communities and global partners
- Advocating for policies that protect free knowledge and privacy
- Ensuring open access to information for all
With offices in San Francisco, California, and a remote-first workforce spanning more than 40 countries, the Wikimedia Foundation values inclusivity, collaboration, and transparency.
Role Overview
The Senior Legal Counsel will focus on providing comprehensive legal advice across multiple teams, particularly around marketing, fundraising, and product development. This includes:
- Navigating marketing and fundraising regulations across global jurisdictions
- Advising on data privacy and Generative AI implications
- Supporting product and engineering teams to develop innovative features while maintaining strict privacy standards
- Collaborating with internal legal and public policy teams to create a global legal ecosystem for free knowledge
Reporting to the Associate General Counsel, this role plays a pivotal part in enabling Wikimedia’s product innovation while safeguarding the legal and ethical standards of the Foundation.
Key Responsibilities
The Senior Legal Counsel will be expected to:
- Analyze regulations: Monitor and interpret laws related to marketing, fundraising, customization, and digital product development
- Support product teams: Provide legal guidance for software engineering, mobile apps, and technical innovations
- Mitigate risks: Advise on privacy, data governance, and user engagement strategies
- Collaborate globally: Work with public policy professionals and legal colleagues to address AI, marketing, and international legal considerations
- Advance mission-aligned initiatives: Identify opportunities to support Wikimedia’s goals within complex technological and legal frameworks
Required Skills and Experience
Ideal candidates will possess:
- A J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school or equivalent foreign degree, with substantial U.S. legal experience preferred
- 5–7 years of experience advising digital technology or internet companies on privacy, marketing, fundraising, and product issues
- Strong collaboration skills with engineering and product teams
- Excellent written and verbal communication, attention to detail, and fluency in English
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with marketing campaigns, fundraising initiatives, and online communities
- Background in marketing, computer science, engineering, or related fields
- Exposure to international legal frameworks or experience working outside the United States
- Multilingual abilities and global perspective
Work Environment and Compensation
This is a remote-first position, offering flexibility while maintaining collaborative engagement. Compensation is competitive and equitable:
- U.S.-based applicants: $109,920 – $167,448 annually, based on skills, experience, and location
- Non-U.S. applicants: Compensation adjusted to the country of hire, administered via a local Employer of Record
The Foundation prioritizes employee well-being and provides resources to support a positive and inclusive work culture.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Wikimedia Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. It values diversity and fosters an inclusive workplace by ensuring fair treatment regardless of:
- Race, color, ethnicity, or national origin
- Gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression
- Disability, age, veteran status, or parental status
- Other legally protected characteristics
Applicants from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply to contribute to the Foundation’s diverse and multicultural team.
Why Join Wikimedia
Joining the Wikimedia Foundation as Senior Legal Counsel offers the chance to influence the legal strategy of a globally respected nonprofit. The role provides exposure to cutting-edge technology, fundraising innovation, and international law while advancing a mission that impacts millions worldwide. Candidates will gain valuable experience in balancing innovation with ethical governance, working within a collaborative and transparent environment, and supporting one of the world’s most recognized knowledge platforms.
How to Apply
Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their applications through the Wikimedia Foundation careers portal. The organization evaluates applicants based on skills, experience, and alignment with its mission and values.
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