How to apply for Director, Investments Counsel

Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

About Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) is a unique philanthropic organization founded by Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, dedicated to leveraging technology and innovation to solve some of society's toughest challenges in science, education, and criminal justice reform. Working here means being at the intersection of technology, philanthropy, and impact investing, with the resources and mission-driven focus to make a tangible difference in the world.

About the role

As Director, Investments Counsel, you will be the lead legal strategist for CZI's investment team, guiding complex fund structures and transactions across public and private markets. Your work will directly enable CZI's philanthropic goals by ensuring that investments are structured efficiently, compliantly, and with maximum impact, while also building scalable legal frameworks that support the organization's growth.

A typical day

A typical day might involve reviewing fund documents for a new private equity investment, meeting with the tax team to discuss the structure of a co-investment, and drafting a playbook for future investments in a new asset class. You'll also advise the investment team on regulatory matters and coordinate with external counsel on complex transactions, all while keeping CZI's mission at the forefront of your strategic guidance.

Who Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is looking for

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Tips for this application

Tailor your resume to highlight specific transactions or fund structures you've led, quantifying the scale and complexity (e.g., 'Managed $500M co-investment in healthcare tech') to demonstrate your depth in alternatives.
In your cover letter, explicitly connect your legal expertise to CZI's philanthropic mission—show you understand how investments can drive social impact and that you're excited to support that mission.
Research CZI's investment areas (e.g., science, education, criminal justice reform) and mention any relevant experience or interest in these sectors in your application.
Demonstrate your ability to build processes and frameworks—provide examples of playbooks or governance structures you've created in previous roles.
If you are not a California bar member, clearly state your willingness to obtain California bar membership and explain your plan for doing so (e.g., timeline for taking the bar exam).

What to cover in your cover letter

- Emphasize your 15+ years of experience in investment funds and asset management law, with specific examples of alternative investments and complex transactions. - Highlight your ability to lead legal strategy and work cross-functionally with tax, finance, and compliance teams. - Show your passion for CZI's mission and how your legal work can contribute to their philanthropic goals. - Mention your experience in developing standardized legal processes and your vision for creating playbooks that scale efficiency.

Draft a cover letter

Research before applying

Explore CZI's investment portfolio and the sectors they focus on (science, education, criminal justice reform) to understand how legal counsel supports their impact.
Read about CZI's approach to philanthropic investing and any public statements from leadership about their investment strategy.
Look into recent news about CZI's investments or legal challenges to stay current on their activities.
Understand CZI's organizational structure and the role of the investment team within the broader initiative.

Chan Zuckerberg Initiative website

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

Describe a time you structured a complex fund investment or co-investment. What were the key legal challenges and how did you resolve them?
How do you approach regulatory compliance for private investments across different jurisdictions?
Tell us about a time you collaborated with tax and finance teams to optimize an investment structure. What was the outcome?
How would you develop a legal playbook for a new type of investment CZI is considering? Walk us through your process.
Why do you want to work at CZI, and how does your legal expertise align with our mission?

Practise interview questions

Common mistakes to avoid

Using a generic cover letter that doesn't address why you're specifically interested in CZI or how your experience aligns with their mission.
Focusing solely on your legal expertise without showing an understanding of the philanthropic context or the business side of investments.
Neglecting to highlight your ability to create scalable legal processes and frameworks, which is a key requirement for this role.

Deadline

No deadline is listed. Roles without a deadline usually close once the employer has enough candidates, so apply soon if you are interested.