What are the responsibilities and job description for the Product Counsel position at Coursera?
About Coursera
Coursera was founded in 2012 by Stanford professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller to make world-class learning accessible to everyone, everywhere. Today, over 190 million learners and 375 university and industry partners use our platform to gain skills in fields like AI, data science, technology, and business. As a Delaware public benefit corporation and Certified B Corp, we're driven by the belief that learning can transform lives through learning.
Why Join Us
At Coursera, we're looking for inventors, innovators, and lifelong learners ready to shape the future of education. You'll help build global programs and tools that power online learning for millions turning bold ideas into real impact. People who thrive here are customer-first builders who move fast, simplify ruthlessly, and iterate relentlessly on the metrics that matter.
We're a globally distributed team and let you choose the best way you work, whether it's from home, a Coursera hub, or a co-working space near you. Our virtual hiring and onboarding make it easy to join us and start making an impact from anywhere. If you're ready to make a global impact, scale unique products exclusive to Coursera, and expand your career horizons, apply below.
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
If this opportunity interests you, you might like these courses on Coursera:
- Promote the Ethical Use of Data-Driven Technologies
- Artificial Intelligence Privacy and Convenience
Coursera is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a welcoming and inclusive workplace. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics and provide reasonable accommodations upon request at accommodations@coursera.org. Learn more in our CCPA Applicant Notice and GDPR Recruitment Notice.
Coursera is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected class.
If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, please contact us at accommodations@coursera.org.
Salary : $133,000 - $167,000