Deputy General Counsel at Harbor in Chicago, IL

Harbor is a high-growth, private equity-backed consulting and technology services firm formed through the integration of multiple specialized businesses. As the company scales globally, driven by both organic growth and M&A, it is building a sophisticated, sales-oriented, and operationally rigorous platform.To support this next phase of growth, Harbor is seeking a Deputy General Counsel (DGC) to serve as a senior legal leader and strategic business partner. This role will help build and scale a best-in-class legal function aligned with a high-velocity commercial organization and evolving global footprint. The Deputy General Counsel will partner closely with the CEO, Board, and leadership team to drive business outcomes while managing legal risk. This individual will own and scale the global legal function, balancing strategic leadership with hands-on execution in a fast-paced, sales-driven environment.This role requires a commercially oriented, board-ready operator with deep experience in high-volume contracting, PE-backed environments, and global professional services or tech-enabled businesses. The DGC will lead legal strategy across contracts, employment, litigation, risk, compliance, and M&A, while building scalable infrastructure and processes to support continued growth. This is a remote position that can be worked anywhere in the United States with a preference for candidates in Chicago, where Harbor's corporate headquarters is located. Key Responsibilities: Legal Leadership & Function Ownership: Own and lead the global legal function, including team management, outside counsel oversight, and budget responsibility Build and scale a high-performing, data-driven legal organization with appropriate processes, operational workflows, tools, and KPIs Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO, executive leadership, and Board of Directors on legal, risk, and governance matters Operate as a player-coach, balancing strategic leadership with hands-on execution Commercial Contracts & Revenue Enablement: Lead legal support for a high-volume, sales-driven contracting environment, partnering closely with CRO/CGO and Sales leadership Oversee drafting, negotiation, and execution of complex commercial agreements (clients, partners, vendors) Design and implement scalable contracting frameworks, playbooks, and approval workflows to accelerate deal velocity Ensure alignment between legal risk tolerance and revenue objectives Employment, Litigation & Risk Management: Provide strategic guidance on global employment matters, including disputes, investigations, and compliance Manage litigation and disputes, including oversight of outside counsel Partner closely with HR and leadership on employee relations and workforce strategy Oversee enterprise risk management, insurance programs, and mitigation strategies Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) & Corporate Transactions: Serve as lead in-house counsel on M&A transactions, including buy- and sell-side deals Drive legal aspects of due diligence, deal structure, negotiation, and integration Partner with Corporate Development, Finance, and external advisors to execute transactions aligned with strategic goals Compliance, Governance & Board Engagement: Support corporate governance and Board engagement, including preparation and presentation of materials Ensure compliance with global regulatory requirements, including data privacy and cybersecurity Develop policies and controls appropriate for a PE-backed, scaling organization Act as a board-ready advisor, translating complex legal issues into actionable business guidance Cross-Functional Partnership: Act as a key partner to Finance, Sales, HR, and executive leadership Drive alignment between legal, operational, and commercial priorities Support enterprise-wide initiatives, including international expansion, operational refinement and integration efforts Qualifications: Required: 15+ years of legal experience, including a mix of law firm and in-house roles 3–5+ years in a senior in-house leadership role (GC, Deputy GC, or SVP Legal), preferably in PE- or late-stage VC-backed companies Demonstrated full ownership of a legal function, including team leadership and operational buildout Extensive experience in high-volume commercial contracting within a sales-driven organization (ideally tech-enabled services, software, or SaaS) Strong experience in employment law, disputes, and litigation management, including oversight of outside counsel Proven ability to build scalable legal infrastructure in low-process or high-growth environments Experience advising senior executives and presenting to Boards of Directors Track record as a cross-functional operator, partnering effectively with Sales, Finance, HR, and executive teams Strongly Preferred: Experience in high-growth environments, working closely with CRO/CGO and revenue teams M&A experience as lead in-house counsel on at least one buy- or sell-side transaction Background in global professional services, consulting, or tech-enabled services businesses Demonstrated player-coach leadership style Education & Credentials: Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school Active membership in at least one U.S. state bar (Illinois preferred) Why Join Harbor? This is a unique opportunity to step into a legal leadership role at a critical inflection point in the company’s growth. As Deputy General Counsel, you will help shape the legal function, influence strategic decisions, and directly impact the trajectory of a global, PE-backed business.You will operate at the intersection of strategy, execution, and growth, partnering with senior leadership and the Board while building a modern, scalable legal organization from the ground up. About Us: Harbor is the preeminent provider of expert services across strategy, legal technology, operations, and intelligence. Our globally integrated team of 800+ strategists, technologists, and specialists navigate alongside our clients – leading law firms, corporations, and their law departments – to provide essential resources and invaluable insights. Anchored in a rich heritage of deep knowledge, steadfast relationships, and mutual respect, our unwavering dedication lies in shaping the future of the legal industry and fostering enduring partnerships within our community and ecosystem. Harbor is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, civil union status, national origin, ancestry, age, parental status, disabled status, veteran status, or any other legally protected classification, in accordance with applicable law.