About the position
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 and NG Next, our strategy plan through June 2026. As a member of LBA, the Director and Associate General Counsel is responsible for drafting contracts and leading negotiations, and providing general legal support and business advice to the Society's Experiences teams (Exhibitions, NG Live and Speakers Bureau) and the Campus team ('Base Camp' or the 'Museum of Exploration'). The Exhibitions team creates and licenses National Geographic exhibitions and immersive experiences that are presented at Base Camp and venues in the U.S. and internationally. NG Live brings the stories of National Geographic to life through bespoke public performances presented by theaters, performing arts centers, museums, universities, and other venues around the world. The National Geographic Society Speakers Bureau acts as an in-house, full service, talent booking agency for personalities associated with the National Geographic brand including Explorers, photographers, authors, and executives. Base Camp is the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, DC which will reopen to the public in 2026. The reimagined space will include an expanded museum, public spaces, and immersive experiences, together known as the 'Museum of Exploration.' The project is designed to be a hub that connects the Society's headquarters with the public, and to engage visitors of all backgrounds. This position will report to the Vice President, Senior Associate General Counsel for Advancement, Public Experiences and Anti Corruption Compliance, and will also work closely with the Vice President, Senior Associate General Counsel for Privacy, Technology, Facilities, and Operations and his team on matters related to our Campus.
Responsibilities
- Provide legal support and business advice for Museum of Exploration exhibitions, National Geographic traveling exhibitions (both domestic and international) and immersive experiences.
- Structure, draft, review and assist in negotiation of exhibition loan and license agreements, immersive experience promoter and exhibition co-development agreements, object loan agreements and deeds of gift.
- Prepare and periodically update templates.
- Provide legal support for the NG Live team, including contract negotiation; assist in the review venue and speaker agreement contracts; draft and periodically update contract templates for NG Live and Speakers Bureau.
- Work with the Finance department to provide business tax advice; work with outside counsel to advise on visa issues for non-US resident speakers and support the NG Live production team on legal and content issues.
- Structure, draft, review and negotiate critical Museum of Exploration and other headquarters-related contracts. These include architecture, construction, creative, and other physical services contracts; development contracts; renewals & amendments for consulting/project management contracts, operator and outsourced services contracts.
- Provide ongoing legal support and guidance to Society's Facilities and Security teams.
- Provide ongoing legal support and guidance on headquarters regulatory, permitting, licensing, and property tax issues.
- Address other legal matters as the need may arise.
Requirements
- JD with license to practice as an attorney in DC
- 6+ years of relevant legal experience, including in the businesses described above and experience in the areas of contract negotiation and providing legal guidance to all levels of staff.
- Skilled in drafting and negotiating business contracts and similar documents
- Experience with intellectual property and brand licensing
- Superior 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 strongly required
Nice-to-haves
- Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills to effectively interface well with internal and external clients in a highly professional manner.
- Familiarity with legal issues relating to tax-exempt organizations
- Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and ability to work independently
- 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
Benefits
- 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
- 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
- A variety of National Geographic discounts and perks
