Director & Associate General Counsel

National Geographic Society; Dallas (TX); Hybrid; USD 171,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Geographic Society seeks a Director & Associate General Counsel to provide legal support for its Advancement division. This hybrid role involves handling legal matters for fundraising and donor relations while collaborating with various internal teams. The ideal candidate will have a JD and extensive legal experience, particularly in contract negotiation and tax-exempt organization compliance. Join a committed team aiming to enhance NGS’s mission.

Benefits

401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions

Flexible paid time off benefits

Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid parental leave and other family benefits

National Geographic discounts and perks

Qualifications

• 6+ years relevant legal experience including contract negotiation.
• Proven ability to advise on compliance matters.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail required.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel on donor engagement and IRS compliance.
• Draft and negotiate vendor agreements for events.
• Coordinate with outside legal counsel on litigation matters.

Skills

Drafting and negotiating complex business contracts

Familiarity with legal issues relating to tax-exempt organizations

Experience with intellectual property and brand licensing arrangements

Strong writing and analytical skills

Effective interpersonal communication

Education

JD, with license to practice as an attorney in DC

Job description

How You’ll Contribute

Who We Are
The Legal and Business Affairs team provides strategic, practical, and timely legal and business advice and support to all Society divisions in support of our mission.

How You’ll Contribute
Job Profile Summary

On behalf of the National Geographic Society (“NGS”), the Director & Associate General Counsel (“DAGC”) is responsible for legal and contract matters supporting NGS’s Advancement division. Within the scope of NGS’s Advancement work, the DAGC is the primary representative in the Legal & Business Affairs (LBA) Department managing the legal aspects of the Global Special Events team, the Annual Giving and Membership team, the Planned Giving team, and support for the Advancement Operations team. The DAGC also provides legal guidance and support for other NGS needs as assigned. In addition, the DAGC advises on claims and litigation that may arise in any of these subject matter areas as needed. The DAGC will be a collaborative, strategic and solutions-oriented advisor to business clients in keeping with NGS’s business strategy. This position reports to the Senior Director and Associate General Counsel (“SDAGC”) who also supports the Advancement division.

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include:

Advancement Legal & Contract Support: (65%)

• Provide legal counsel on a wide range of matters, including charitable solicitation, donor engagement, IRS compliance related to charitable contributions, and special projects.

• Support the Annual Giving and Membership team by advising on solicitation campaigns, promotional initiatives, and related materials.

• Draft and negotiate vendor and production agreements for donor and signature events, including regional events, the annual Explorers Festivals, the Storytellers Summit, Board functions, and high-level donor trips and experiences.

• Draft and review donation solicitation materials, benefits, agreements, and advise on IRS charitable donation rules and compliance.

• Manage all legal aspects of NGS’s portfolio of bequests and trusts, working closely with the Advancement and Finance teams. This includes interpreting will and trust provisions, coordinating with external counsel, donors, financial institutions, executors, and accountants to ensure proper administration and compliance with internal procedures and legal requirements pertaining to wills and trusts.

• Provide guidance on planned giving vehicles—such as charitable gift annuities and other deferred gifts—and help assess risk, resolve disputes, and document procedures to support long-term fundraising and stewardship efforts.

• Manage charitable solicitation registrations across relevant jurisdictions.

• Periodically review and update contract templates to reflect evolving legal and organizational needs.

• Support the SDAGC in drafting and negotiating agreements with corporate and institutional partners, foundations and other donors, as needed.

Other Legal Guidance and Contract Negotiation: (30%)

• Provides legal guidance and contract negotiation on matters to other departments as assigned by the SDAGC and Chief Legal Officer.

Litigation and Claims Management:(5%)

• Coordinate as needed with outside legal counsel on legal claims and litigation matters for areas within the subject matter portfolio of the DAGC. The DAGC monitors legal counsel’s work and resulting service payments and confirms satisfactory resolution is achieved.

What You’ll Bring

Educational background

JD, with license to practice as an attorney in DC

Minimum Years and Type of Experience

6+ years relevant legal experience, including experience in the areas of contract negotiation and providing legal guidance to all levels of staff, and advising on compliance matters.

Knowledge and Skills Required

• Skilled in drafting and negotiating complex business contracts and similar documents.

• Familiarity with legal issues relating to tax-exempt organizations, including with respect to unrelated business income tax, corporate sponsorships, fundraising, commercial co-ventures (CCVs).

• Experience with intellectual property and brand licensing arrangements, in the fundraising context.

• Adroit at quickly and effectively mastering the fundamentals of different areas of law, as needed.

• Strong writing and analytical skills required, and an ability to quickly learn the fundamentals of different areas of the law.

• Ability to interface effectively with all levels of staff.
  

Desired Qualification

• Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills to effectively interface well with internal and external clients in a highly professional manner.

• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail required.

• Ability to meet designated deadlines is also a critical qualification.

• Must be able to maintain the highest level of confidentiality and be able to handle sensitive materials.
  

Supervision

None

Salary Information

The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. Our compensation structure and transparent pay philosophy are based on industry-specific market data for similar-sized nonprofit organizations.

The salary range for this position accounts for a wide range of factors including but not limited to organizational need; specific skill sets; experience and training; certifications; and more. At the National Geographic Society, individuals are typically hired at or near the starting point of the salary range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The salary range for this position is $171,000 - $180,000

In addition, the National Geographic Society offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance; engaging and comprehensive wellness program; 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment; flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year) and 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31; paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; Lifestyle Spending Account; pet adoption assistance and insurance; pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy; employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit; and a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks.

Job Designation

Hybrid - At the Society, we believe in the advantages of coming together to build community, mentor and learn from colleagues, and connect more deeply with our mission. As a result, the majority of our staff are Hybrid. Our Hybrid category requires that staff work at Base Camp two days each week: every Tuesday and Wednesday. Hybrid staff are also always welcome to come in additional days each week if preferred.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.