Contracts Counsel

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The Contracts Counsel at National Center for Missing & Exploited Children will manage the contract lifecycle, review, draft, and negotiate agreements including vendor, consultant, licensing, NDAs, and MOUs; oversee compliance filings, and maintain trademark portfolio while collaborating across divisions to support program needs.

Based in Alexandria, VA, this exempt, full-time role reports to the Chief Legal Officer and requires minimal travel, strong judgment, confidentiality, and ability to

Qualifications

• JD and admission to Virginia or DC bar, or eligible to waive in.
• Minimum of 2-4 years’ substantive experience handling contracts at a law firm, in‑house, or nonprofit organization.
• Demonstrated experience balancing legal issues with mission‑based goals and services.
• Demonstrated experience maintaining consistent workflows, balancing competing deadlines, and managing file maintenance and document management systems.

Responsibilities

• Review, draft, and negotiate contracts relating to NCMEC’s programs of work.
• Coordinate insurance coverage and compliance filings with NCMEC’s Finance Division and outside agency.
• Manage NCMEC’s trademark portfolio.
• Establish, maintain, monitor, and update as needed work processes and workflows relating to contract and compliance functions and databases.
• Other duties and special projects as assigned.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Verbal & written communication

Deadline management

Nonprofit experience

Document management

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

TITLE: Contracts Counsel

LOCATION: Alexandria, Virginia

FLSA: Exempt

DATE CREATED: October 2026

DATE UPDATED: October 2026

DIVISION: Office of Legal Counsel

DEPARTMENT: Office of Legal Counsel

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT

Minimal, less than 10%.

HOURS AND SCHEDULE

Generally, Monday – Friday, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm (minimum 37.5 hours within five (5) days per week). Ability to work flexible hours to meet occasional time-sensitive legal deadlines is required.

REPORTS TO

Chief Legal Officer

RESPONSIBILITY FOR PUBLIC CONTACT

Daily contact requiring courtesy, discretion, responsiveness, and sound judgment.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Contracts Counsel is a member of the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) and will support the mission of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) by managing the organization’s contract lifecycle; compliance and insurance registrations and renewals; and trademark portfolio. This role’s primary responsibility is reviewing, drafting, and negotiating agreements ranging from vendor, consultant, licensing, and fundraising agreements; NDAs, confidentiality agreements, and releases; and mission‑specific partnership agreements and MOUs. The Contracts Counsel will collaborate cross‑divisionally to provide guidance to internal teams relating to contractual terms that may impact NCMEC programs and will oversee the contract management process.

The Contracts Counsel will work closely with the OLC’s Senior Counsel; Finance Division; and team members throughout NCMEC’s divisions and branch offices.

The Contracts Counsel will promote a professional image and communicate with team members, senior leaders, and external lawyers and partners in a courteous and professional manner, including responding promptly when replying to internal and external correspondence and emails.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review, draft, and negotiate contracts relating to NCMEC’s programs of work.
• Coordinate insurance coverage and compliance filings with NCMEC’s Finance Division and outside agency.
• Manage NCMEC’s trademark portfolio.
• Establish, maintain, monitor, and update as needed work processes and workflows relating to contract and compliance functions and databases.
• Other duties and special projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• JD and admission to Virginia or DC bar, or eligible to waive in.
• Minimum of 2-4 years’ substantive experience handling contracts at a law firm, in‑house, or non‑profit organization.
• Demonstrated experience balancing legal issues with mission‑based goals and services.
• Demonstrated experience maintaining consistent workflows, balancing competing deadlines, and managing file maintenance and document management systems.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to perform as a high-level strategic thinker and communicate clearing verbally and in writing to a range of legal and non-legal audiences.
• Ability to adhere to deadlines and balance multiple pending projects and deadlines.
• Ability and dedication to learn about NCMEC’s unique nonprofit structure and its range of programs, and operations.
• Excellent judgment setting priorities and interacting with internal and external contacts.
• Demonstrated proficiency with basic word processing and database software tools.
• Adaptability, flexibility and ability to work as part of a team or in an individual capacity.
• Ability to handle and maintain the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive material and information.
• Ability to inspire trust and confidence relating to discussion of sensitive matters and to embrace team approach in achieving outcomes.

• Passion for issues affecting missing and exploited children.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee incumbent in this position. Employee will be required to follow any other job‑related instructions and to perform any other job‑related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

A review of this position has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.