Product Counsel

Job Overview:

Legal and Compliance is responsible for managing all legal and regulatory matters, including contracts, corporate governance, general compliance, academic compliance, employment law matters, intellectual property, product counseling, government relations, and claims. The team includes dedicated teams that support every aspect of Coursera's platform, including university, enterprise, and industry partnerships.

Coursera is looking for a talented tech  lawyer with global experience to serve as our Product Counsel. Working across the entire company, you will provide strategic legal guidance on product development, marketing initiatives, consumer protection, intellectual property  and SaaS matters globally. A key responsibility will be collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders (including Product, Marketing, and Engineering teams) across multiple geographies to ensure compliance with consumer protection, product safety, privacy, and marketing regulations, particularly in the US. The role involves conducting legal risk assessments, reviewing marketing materials, advising on product features, and navigating complex regulatory requirements across jurisdictions. Knowledge of privacy and AI regulations will be essential as these areas increasingly intersect with product development.

We're looking for a team member who is passionate about business growth and education, and energized by the challenges of growing a mission-driven business globally. The role requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with global stakeholders across different cultures and time zones.

Responsibilities:

• Global Product Regulatory and Consumer Protection: Act as the primary point of contact on global product regulations, consumer protection laws, and subscription matters, with a primary focus on US (including FTC regulations and state laws) and EU regulations. Ensure adherence to these frameworks across all product and service offerings while providing pragmatic counsel to support business objectives. Work collaboratively with cross functional teams to devise strategic initiatives that not only ensure compliance but also enhance product safety, foster user trust, and align with business goals. 
• Privacy Compliance. Expertise in privacy and data protection compliance, focusing on US state and federal laws and the GDPR, particularly as they intersect with product development and marketing initiatives. Work closely with privacy counsel to provide business-aligned risk mitigation strategies, ensuring compliance with relevant privacy regulations. 
• AI Regulations: Expert on the emerging landscape of AI regulations, including the EU AI Act and similar global frameworks under development. Guide the organization in adopting ethical AI practices that comply with these evolving standards. Monitor advancements in AI-specific compliance requirements, ensuring responsible implementation of AI technologies. Collaborate with product, engineering, security and cross functional legal teams, to embed AI regulatory adherence across all AI/ML-enabled features, safeguarding data privacy and promoting ethical use of artificial intelligence.
• Strategic Product Counseling and Cross-Functional Collaboration Collaborate closely with Product, Engineering, Marketing, and other business teams across various geographies and time zones to provide strategic legal guidance throughout the product development lifecycle. Review product roadmaps, feature implementations, and user experiences to ensure compliance with applicable regulations while supporting business objectives. Develop and implement practical, risk-based solutions that balance legal requirements with business needs. Build strong relationships with stakeholders, serving as a trusted business partner by offering practical guidance that fosters business growth and ensures regulatory compliance.
• Marketing/Promotions Compliance: Partner with marketing and product teams in reviewing promotional activities across all channels. Ensure compliance with global marketing and advertising laws, including promotion terms, and dark patterns.
• Program Development and Risk Management: Help develop, implement, and scale our global product compliance program. Create standardized policies, tools, processes, and training materials. Build and improve playbooks for product launches and marketing initiatives. Conduct product risk assessments and implement appropriate mitigation strategies. Track and analyze regulatory developments in consumer protection, privacy and data protection, AI laws and regulations in key markets and potential impacts on products and services.

Qualifications:

• A Juris Doctor (JD) degree and admission to a state bar with good standing
• 5+ years of relevant experience at a law firm or in-house legal department or both
• Experience with global consumer protection laws and, specifically, experience with FTC regulations and US state consumer protection laws
• Experience developing and implementing compliance programs and playbooks
• Experience with US state and federal privacy regulations as they intersect with product development
• Experience with building rapport with stakeholders at all levels of seniority across the business and the ability to analyze and explain complex concepts quickly and accurately

Nice to haves:

• 5-10 years of relevant experience at a law firm or in-house legal department or both
• Prior in-house experience at a technology company with a product serving users globally across at least two of the following verticals across multiple international jurisdictions: consumer, enterprise, and education.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, global technology company
• Demonstrated ability to balance legal risks with business objectives
• Track record of building strong relationships with stakeholders across different cultures and time zones
• In CST or EST time zone

Compensation

This role is available in the following US Pay Zones:

Not available in Zone 1 OR Zone 2

Zone 3: 143,000 to $179,000

Zone 4: $133,000 to $167,000

At Coursera, we offer competitive, zone-based pay aligned to your location, experience, and role level across four U.S. pay zones. Our total rewards package goes beyond salary, with comprehensive health and wellness benefits, bonus and RSU equity programs, and global perks designed to help you grow and thrive wherever you are.

US Pay Zones:

• US-Z1: Bay Area
• US-Z2: NYC and Seattle Metro
• US-Z3: CA, WA, NY, NJ, CO, CT, DC, GA, IL, MA, MD, OR, RI, TX, VA
• US-Z4: AK, AZ, DE, FL, HI, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NV, NH, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, UT, VT, WI