Assistant General Counsel

This is a Full Time Job

OVERVIEW

Intro to position

The lawyer who joins our team will help NPR embrace business opportunities while balancing risk and supporting compliance with NPR's nonprofit status. We are seeking a versatile lawyer with a commitment to client service, practical business judgment, and the ability to build strong, collaborative relationships both internally and externally. An ability to manage multiple projects, set and adjust priorities, work under pressure, and maintain composure and a sense of humor while doing so is essential.

The ideal candidate will have experience handling contractual and legal matters in the media and/or entertainment fields and a passion for the important work of NPR and public media.

Application Instructions: A resume and cover letter are required.

Your cover letter must be 1-2 pages long and should specifically address your interest in - and relevant experience in - supporting public media or other nonprofit organizations, and what attracts you to this temporary position.

Responsibilities
• Review, draft, negotiate and advise on complex agreements relating to NPR-produced programming, licensed programming, and new programming initiatives, including a variety of agreements relating to the development, production, distribution and licensing of content for broadcast, satellite, podcast and digital distribution
• Provide advice and counsel with respect to rights and obligations under existing content licensing and distribution agreements, and manage the renewal, renegotiation and maintenance of such agreements
• Review, draft and negotiate various agreements in support of NPR's live events, including corporate sponsorship and brand partnership agreements, ad sales and media buy agreements, music licensing agreements, venue agreements, waivers and releases, and various vendor and production services agreements
• Review, draft and negotiate a variety of other commercial contracts, including marketing and consumer products agreements, co-production agreements, producer, writer, and talent agreements, consultant, service provider and vendor agreements, and facilities and operations agreements
• Advise legal and business colleagues on a broad range of related subjects, including trademark and copyright law, digital media law, consumer-facing disclosures, data privacy, and structuring transactions in a nonprofit context
• Review, draft, review and negotiate agreements with NPR's Member stations, and counsel NPR's Member Partnership division on various contractual, legal, business, and strategic matters.
• Support the continuous improvement of standard form agreements and legal processes
• Manage risk and support compliance with nonprofit tax law and regulatory requirements
• Lead and direct the work of others, including supervising and mentoring junior attorneys, paralegals, administrative staff, interns, and outside counsel

The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.

Minimum qualifications
• Membership in good standing in (or eligibility to waive into) the District of Columbia bar
• At least 7 years of experience practicing law as a transactional attorney at a law firm and/or as part of an in-house legal team

Education requirements

J.D. from an accredited law school is required.

Work location & requirements

NPR Remote-Permitted: This is a remote-permitted role. This role is based out of our Washington, D.C. office, but the employee may choose to work on a remote basis from a location that NPR approves. You will have the option of working (a) remotely from a location of your choosing within the United States that is supported by NPR; (b) on-site at an NPR facility, based on the availability of desks and approval from NPR; or (c) a combination of both. Regardless of where you choose to work from, you may be expected to travel to other locations from time to time to perform the duties of your position.

Required skills/ competencies
• Strong contract drafting, interpretation, analysis and negotiation skills
• The ability to analyze complex legal issues, and complex and sophisticated commercial contracts, and effectively communicate that analysis to internal stakeholders
• Experience handling contractual and legal matters in one or more of the following areas: content licensing and distribution; marketing and consumer products; the sponsorship and production of live events; mergers and acquisitions; strategic transactions
• An orientation toward collaboration and client service; strong client relations skills
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills, and the ability to communicate effectively at all levels and to both legal and non-legal professionals
• Proven ability to work under pressure, managing multiple projects and setting and adjusting priorities as needed, while maintaining a high degree of attention to detail and keeping the "big picture" in mind
• Experience managing a high volume of complex, deadline-driven projects, and providing high-level business and legal advice and risk mitigation strategies to key internal stakeholders
• Sound judgment, a strong work ethic, keen attention to detail, and a creative, collaborative and business-oriented approach to problem-solving

Preferred qualifications
• Experience working for a media and/or entertainment company, or a network organization
• Experience handling contractual and legal matters in ad sales and media buying; shared services; and facilities and operations
• Working knowledge of nonprofit tax law and/or experience representing tax-exempt organizations
• Trademark, copyright and music licensing experience
• Experience advising internal clients on business and legal issues at early stages of projects

Job type

This is a temporary (6-month) full-time position.

Compensation

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