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Executive Counsel Jobs (NOW HIRING)

HR Executive Counselor

$49K - $66K/yr

The Executive Counselor (EC) serves as a dedicated senior strategic partner to CHROs and senior HR leaders, combining first-hand CHRO experience with McLean & Company's proprietary research ...

Legal Counsel

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$300K/yr

Partner with executive leadership in managing a global network of external law firms * Collaborate ... Oversee relationships with outside litigation counsel, including strategy, case management, and ...

Legal Counsel

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

$300K/yr

Partner with executive leadership in managing a global network of external law firms * Collaborate ... Oversee relationships with outside litigation counsel, including strategy, case management, and ...

Executive Agency Counsel

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$125K - $150K/yr

EXECUTIVE AGENCY COUNSEL - 95005 Qualifications Admission to the New York State Bar; and four years of recent full-time responsible, relevant, satisfactory legal experience subsequent to admission to ...

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Executive Counsel information

See salary details

$43.5K

$135.2K

$205.5K

How much do executive counsel jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for executive counsel in the United States is $135,231.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $96,500.00 and $175,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an Executive Counsel?

An Executive Counsel is a senior legal advisor who provides strategic legal guidance to a company's executive team and board of directors. They typically handle high-level legal matters such as corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance, and risk management. Executive Counsels often serve as the chief legal officer or general counsel, ensuring the organization operates within the law while supporting its business objectives. Their role may also include overseeing a team of legal professionals and managing external legal relationships.

What are the typical challenges Executive Counsel face when balancing legal oversight with business strategy?

Executive Counsel often encounter the challenge of aligning legal risk management with the company's broader business objectives. Balancing the need to ensure compliance while enabling innovation and growth requires strong strategic judgment and proactive communication with senior leaders. Additionally, Executive Counsel must stay updated on evolving regulations and anticipate legal issues that could impact the organization's operations or reputation. This role frequently involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, requiring both legal expertise and business acumen to provide actionable, forward-thinking guidance.

What is the difference between Executive Counsel vs Corporate Counsel?

AspectExecutive CounselCorporate Counsel
Required CredentialsJD, bar license, extensive legal experienceJD, bar license, legal experience in corporate law
Work EnvironmentHigh-level legal advisory, strategic decision-makingLegal support for corporate operations, compliance, contracts
Employer & Industry UsageCorporations, large organizations, executive teamsCorporations, legal departments, in-house legal teams
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding senior legal roles, executive legal responsibilitiesLegal department roles, corporate legal support

Executive Counsel typically refers to senior legal advisors involved in strategic decision-making at the executive level, often with broader responsibilities. Corporate Counsel generally denotes in-house lawyers providing legal support for corporate operations and compliance. While both roles require similar credentials, Executive Counsel usually operates at a higher strategic level within the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Executive Counsel, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Executive Counsel, you need an advanced law degree (J.D.), strong expertise in corporate law, and licensure to practice, often backed by significant legal experience. Familiarity with legal research databases, contract management software, and corporate compliance systems is typically required. Exceptional negotiation, strategic thinking, and communication skills set outstanding candidates apart. These qualifications ensure sound legal advice, risk mitigation, and effective leadership in high-stakes corporate environments.
What cities are hiring for Executive Counsel jobs? Cities with the most Executive Counsel job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Counsel jobs? The most popular types of Counsel jobs are:
What states have the most Executive Counsel jobs? States with the most job openings for Executive Counsel jobs include:

$49K - $66K/yr

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago


Job description

The Executive Counselor (EC) serves as a dedicated senior strategic partner to CHROs and senior HR leaders, combining first-hand CHRO experience with McLean & Company's proprietary research, diagnostics, and benchmarking data to help HR deliver measurable organizational outcomes. The EC helps clients de-risk critical people decisions, strengthen HR's strategic position at the executive table, and ensures McLean membership is fully realized against their most pressing enterprise challenges.
Through ongoing 1:1 advisory partnership, strategic facilitation, and evidence-informed judgment, the EC helps clients navigate complex organizational challenges to ensure HR operates as a decisive driver of organizational performance.
Key areas of responsibility:
Strategy Development & Execution Support:
  • Build and maintain trusted relationships with a portfolio of senior HR leaders across diverse industries, serving as a thought partner to guide executive-level decision-making and strategic direction.
  • Provide ongoing strategic advisory support through regularly scheduled and ad hoc engagements (typically via videoconference), ensuring full McLean membership value is realized; with every tool, diagnostic, and framework applied to the client's most critical enterprise challenges.
  • Evaluate client needs and develop priority resource plans to help clients establish / evolve their HR strategy, achieve their objectives, and deliver on key initiatives.
  • Guide clients through enterprise-level decisions and high-stakes moments, including organizational restructuring, leadership succession, and large-scale transformation, with evidence-backed judgment and confidence.
  • Design and deliver high-impact strategy sessions (virtual and onsite) on critical HR and organizational topics, as identified by the client (e.g., HR strategy, organizational design, team effectiveness)

Account Management:
  • Contribute across the full client lifecycle, including onboarding, delivery, engagement, renewal and growth.
  • Ensure clients fully realize the value of their membership through proactive engagement and alignment to priorities.
  • Identify opportunities to deepen partnerships and expand impact within accounts.

Business Development & Thought Leadership:
  • Provide input into research and content development based on client needs and emerging trends.
  • Host and/or facilitate business development efforts including proof of concept calls, webinars, roundtables, CHRO dinner events and presentations at annual forums and conferences.

Internal Collaboration & Enablement:
  • Partner with sales and other internal teams in proactive account management, identifying growth opportunities and ensuring account health.
  • Share insights and best practices to strengthen team capability and service delivery.

Required qualifications:
  • Prior experience as a CHRO or equivalent top HR executive, with direct exposure to board dynamics and CEO relationships (required; this is the foundation of the Counselor Seat value proposition)
  • 20+ years of progressive HR experience, with exposure to multiple HR functions
  • Demonstrated experience advising or influencing senior leaders and executive teams
  • Broad and deep expertise across multiple HR disciplines
  • Strong business acumen and understanding of organizational dynamics
  • Demonstrated experience in working directly with members of the C-Suite and Boards of Directors.

Core Competencies:
Executive Influence & Relationship Building - Ability to build credibility and trust with senior leaders and sustain long-term partnerships
Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving - Ability to synthesize complex information and translate it into clear, practical direction
Advisory & Facilitation Excellence - Skilled at leading executive discussions and guiding groups to actionable outcomes
Communication & Storytelling - Exceptional ability to communicate ideas with clarity, impact, and relevance to senior audiences
Commercial Acumen - Ability to identify growth opportunities and contribute to account expansion and retention
Curiosity & Continuous Learning - Strong intellectual curiosity and commitment to staying current on HR and business trends
Role Scope & Expectations:
  • Manage a portfolio of executive-level client relationships
  • Deliver advisory services primarily through virtual engagement, with some onsite facilitation
  • Travel up to approximately 30% as required for client engagements
  • Operate in a dynamic, fast-paced, and highly client-focused environment
  • Flexibility to support clients across time zones and outside of standard business hours when required
  • Must be eligible to work in the country hired in
  • Must be eligible to obtain a TN Visa for travel to onsite engagements

McLean & Co is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion and does not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected status or characteristic including Minority/Female/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Disability/Veteran and are pleased to consider all qualified applicants. To that end, upon request, McLean & Co will ensure, to the extent possible, that accommodation be made available to applicants throughout the recruitment and hiring process.
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Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.