Description
Job: 26-01 Date: 01/09/2026
Title: Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary
Grade: Exempt
Division / Department: Office of the Chief Legal Counsel
Reports To: President and Chief Executive Officer (President & CEO)
POSITION SUMMARY
The Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer (CLO) and Secretary serves as a key member of A4A’s senior leadership team, reporting to the President & CEO. This role oversees all legal, regulatory and corporate governance functions to ensure organizational compliance with federal, state and international laws. The CLO provides strategic legal guidance on issues impacting member airlines, leads A4A’s legal and regulatory advocacy, manages complex litigation and builds strong relationships with key government agencies and member airline legal teams.
The CLO leads a high-performing legal team, ensuring alignment with A4A’s mission and strategic priorities. The role also serves as A4A’s legal spokesperson, advises the Board of Directors on governance and antitrust matters and ensures Board activities follow A4A bylaws. Additionally, the CLO manages external counsel and translates strategic goals into effective legal and operational outcomes that support the industry and organization.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Legal & Corporate Governance: Provide expert legal, regulatory and policy counsel to the President & CEO, senior leadership, and Board. Oversee all legal functions and ensure organization-wide compliance with federal, state and international laws.
- Staff Leadership: Lead, mentor and develop a collaborative legal team aligned with organizational and member needs. Foster cross-departmental collaboration and ensure staff understand lobbying, ethics and campaign finance compliance requirements to deliver effective legal and regulatory support.
- External Affairs: Build and maintain strong CLO Council relationships with agency legal/regulatory officials and A4A member legal teams. Lead the CLO
- Council and related committees to support strategic goals. Develop persuasive regulatory filings, advocacy documents and oversee complex litigation affecting the industry. Monitor emerging legal and regulatory trends.
- Spokesperson Responsibilities: Serve as A4A spokesperson on legal matters, effectively communicating positions and priorities. Ensure alignment and consensus within the CLO Council. Represent A4A within the broader aviation legal community.
- Board Relations: Maintain strong, collaborative relationships with the Board. Ensure compliance with governance structures and bylaws. Brief the Board on antitrust and other key legal issues. Prepare legal reports and implement Board directives across the organization.
- Strategic Direction: Translate high-level strategic priorities into actionable goals, aligning communications, resources, processes and performance measures to drive sustainable results.
- Consultant Management: Oversee and manage external counsel to ensure effective, efficient use of organizational resources.
Requirements
- High ethical integrity with the ability to build credibility across the organization.
- Strong analytical capability to identify, interpret and shape emerging industry and legal issues.
- Experience managing complex litigation and/or regulatory and policy matters.
- Proven ability to contribute effectively as a key member of a collaborative senior leadership team.
- Demonstrated ability to anticipate industry trends and proactively lead initiatives to address them.
- Charismatic executive presence with the gravitas to earn the confidence of the CEO, Board, staff and external stakeholders.
- An undergraduate degree and Juris Doctorate from well-respected institutions are required.
- Membership in good standing in at least one state bar is highly desirable.
- Minimum 12 years of experience in a law firm, corporate legal department, association and/or Capitol Hill environment.
- Strong understanding of antitrust laws relevant to association operations, administrative law, the Administrative Procedure Act and federal rulemaking.
- Familiarity with laws, regulations and treaties governing the airline industry (highly desirable).
- Proven ability to attract, develop and retain top legal talent and lead a high-performing, collaborative team.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build trusted relationships with internal colleagues, government officials, outside counsel and industry partners.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, capable of producing concise legal analysis and articulating complex issues clearly and persuasively.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
If approved by your immediate supervisor, A4A employees have the option to work from home on Fridays.
SALARY INFORMATION
The annual salary range for this position is $475,000 to $550,000. New hires are typically brought in between the minimum and midpoint of the range, depending on experience, qualifications and internal equity.
COMPETITIVE BENEFITS
Comprehensive benefits package including multiple medical plan options, fully paid life, dental and vision coverage; a 401(k) plan with employer matching; paid time off (PTO); airline space available travel privileges; tuition reimbursement; and 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume and salary requirements to hr@airlines.org, attention JOA# 26-01.
Airlines for America is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
