Counsel

Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors•New York, NY

33d

About The Position

The Director, Assistant General Counsel (AGC) provides high-quality, practical legal support across RPA and its sponsored projects. This role focuses on day-to-day legal counsel, contract review, compliance support, issue spotting, and legal research that advances operational efficiency and ensures organizational compliance. Working under the guidance of the Senior Director, Legal / Associate General Counsel, the AGC handles a broad portfolio of routine and moderately complex legal matters, supports policy development, and contributes to training and legal resource creation. This role regularly partners with internal teams, external vendors, and outside counsel, helping translate legal requirements into clear, actionable guidance.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
Active membership in good standing with a U.S. state bar.
A minimum of 10 years of experience with a minimum of 4 years’ relevant legal experience ideally in nonprofit law or working with tax-exempt organizations, and experience reviewing and drafting contracts.
Must be willing to commute to RPA’s NYC and or San Fransico office(s) as needed, at least quarterly.
Must be willing to travel for business as needed.
The incumbent in the role must demonstrate a commitment to RPA’s Mission and Values: At Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, our mission is to accelerate philanthropy in pursuit of a just world, by providing deep global expertise to make philanthropy more thoughtful, equitable and effective. We believe that philanthropy can help create a better world. We make decisions that center people and communities. We believe philanthropy has a responsibility to pursue equity. We uphold the highest standards of integrity and trust. We are committed to learning and sharing knowledge.

Nice To Haves

Exposure to compliance or governance work is beneficial but not required.
Additional relevant certifications (e.g., relating to privacy, employment, or compliance more broadly) are a plus.

Responsibilities

Legal Advisory & Research Provide timely, well-reasoned legal guidance that supports organizational operations and decision making.
Provide legal support on issues related to nonprofit operations, employment, intellectual property, contracts, and data privacy (with guidance as needed).
Conduct legal research on regulatory changes, policy questions, and operational issues.
Assist in the development and delivery of legal trainings and explanatory materials.
Risk Management and Compliance Support Strengthen compliance and proactively identify legal risks across internal departments and sponsored projects.
Monitor compliance questions and escalate as needed to senior legal leadership.
Assist with drafting, reviewing, and updating organizational policies.
Support internal teams in understanding regulatory or compliance requirements.
Advise internal stakeholders on contractual terms, obligations, and processes.
Contract Management Ensure that all agreements safeguard organizational interests, reduce risk, and support efficient, mission-aligned operations.
Review, draft, and negotiate a wide variety of contracts, including service agreements, grant agreements, vendor contracts, and MOUs.
Advise internal stakeholders on contract terms, obligations, and risks to support informed decision making.
Maintain legal integrity and consistency in RPA’s contract templates, processes, and standards.
Cross-Functional Partnership Deliver responsive and effective legal support to internal teams.
Partner with Advisory, Sponsored Projects & Funds, People & Culture, Finance, IT, and Operations teams to address legal questions and operational challenges.
Coordinate with external legal counsel on specialized matters, ensuring accurate information gathering and issue tracking.
Maintain positive, service-oriented relationships across the organization.
Governance & Documentation Support Strengthen the legal foundations of organizational governance.
Assist with governance needs for RPA and affiliated entities, under senior legal direction.
Research and prepare drafts of resolutions, policies, and governance-related documents.
Support Board meeting preparation, documentation, and compliance tasks as assigned.

Benefits

Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including health coverage, retirement benefits, paid sick leave, vacation and holidays, tuition reimbursement and access to professional development resources.

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