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 A World Leader in Geography, Cartography and Exploration Company, 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