Associate General Counsel, Commercial Contracts
NPR
Washington, DCThis is a Full Time Job
OVERVIEW
Intro to Position
NPR is seeking a sharp, transaction-focused attorney to serve as a high-impact contributor in our legal department, as a Temporary Associate General Counsel, Commercial Contracts. You will be responsible for leading a small team of lawyers to deliver sophisticated commercial agreements. The ideal candidate would be a skilled dealmaker with strong drafting skills and managerial experience who can protect the mission while navigating the speed of a modern media marketplace.
Application Deadline: May 29, 2026
Responsibilities
• Strategic Deal Architecture: Lead the design and execution of various agreements, including membership agreements, network agreements, acquired program agreements, rights licenses, content deals, complex corporate sponsorships, brand integrations, and multi-platform advertising sales.
• Content Life-Cycle Rights: Direct the acquisition and clearance of intellectual property for NPR's flagship programming, ensuring all talent, music, and third-party content rights are seamlessly secured for global distribution through various platforms.
• Operational Procurement: Negotiate mission-critical vendor agreements, such as agreements for facilities management and specialized production services.
• Brand and Consumer Products: Oversee the legal framework for NPR's retail and licensing initiatives, ensuring trademark protection and compliance in all consumer-facing product ventures.
• Risk Orchestration: Provide real-time, actionable counsel to business leads on contract disputes, risk allocation, and the legal nuances of emerging digital media platforms.
• Transactional Stewardship: Modernize and refine NPR's library of commercial templates to reflect evolving market standards and nonprofit regulatory requirements.
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
• Significant Transactional Experience: At least 15 years of experience specifically focused on commercial law, with a track record of handling high-volume, high-complexity contract portfolios.
• IP Fluency: Deep, practical knowledge of copyright and trademark application within a media context; you should be comfortable navigating complex licensing schemes.
• Negotiation Skills: Exceptional ability to lead a negotiation, with the poise to represent NPR's interests with sophisticated entities.
• Regulatory Acumen: Significant experience interpreting how commercial activity affects a 501(c)(3) organization’s tax-exempt status.
• Bar Credentials: Active member of the D.C. Bar in good standing (or immediate eligibility to waive in).
Preferred Qualifications
• Media-First Experience: Direct experience in the legal department of a major broadcaster, streaming service, or digital publisher.
• Tech-Forward Workflow: Experience using modern legal operations tools and AI-driven contract management systems.
Requirements
• Application Requirement: Please submit a resume and a tailored cover letter. We are looking for candidates who can articulate how their specific commercial experience aligns with the unique needs of a nonprofit media organization.
Education Requirements
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school.
Work Location & Requirements
• NPR Hybrid Permitted: This is a hybrid permitted role. Some aspects of this role require duties better performed at an NPR facility. The employee will be required to be in the office at the Washington, D.C. location at least 10 days a year. The employee must also reside in an NPR-supported location based on the number of on-site days they choose.
Job Type
• This is a temporary (9-month), full-time position.
Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you.
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Salary/Benefits
$192,000 - $225,000 /year USD
Benefits
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability
• Paid time off (PTO)
• 401(k)
Perks
• Access to health and wellness
• Financial well-being
Additional Information
NPR is a thriving, mission-driven multimedia organization that serves the public interest by producing award-winning news, information, and cultural programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation. Known for its commitment to journalistic integrity and innovation in broadcasting, NPR values information, creativity, curiosity, and social responsibility, which are shared by its employees. The organization is home to innovators and leaders in diverse fields, including journalism, digital media, IT, and development, and every day, its employees and member stations touch the lives of millions worldwide. NPR is dedicated to building a collaborative workplace where diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is key to success, with integrity and adherence to ethical standards being fundamental responsibilities for every employee.
