Corporate Governance Assistant General Counsel
NPR
Washington, DCThis is a Full Time Job
OVERVIEW
Intro to Position
The lawyer who joins our team will help a mission-driven organization embrace business opportunities while managing risk and ensuring compliance with NPR's legal obligations. The ideal candidate will have broad knowledge of nonprofit tax laws, experience advising on regulatory compliance, and a robust background in counseling publicly supported charities on matters of corporate governance, sponsorships, and fundraising. The role reports to the Associate General Counsel, who leads the Governance & Regulatory team, and will work closely with senior staff who support the NPR Board of Directors and the NPR Foundation Board of Trustees, as well as operational leads in Finance and Development.
Application Deadline: Monday, June 8, 2026
Application Instructions: In your cover letter, please describe a specific instance where you advised a tax-exempt organization or complex membership organization on a high-stakes corporate governance or regulatory compliance issue.
Responsibilities
• Regulatory Oversight: Act as a key legal advisor on federal and state nonprofit law and compliance.
• IRS Compliance Monitoring: Monitor IRS regulations and provide timely, accurate legal counsel on implications for various business transactions.
• Contractual Drafting: Structure, draft, and negotiate complex agreements, including transactional contracts, grant agreements, and donor gift agreements.
• Fiduciary Litigation: Represent NPR in probate matters and trust/fiduciary litigation.
• Media & Broadcast Review: Review broadcast and corporate sponsorship opportunities for legal and regulatory compliance.
• Agency Compliance: Ensure ongoing compliance with FCC, FTC, IRS, and other relevant regulatory bodies.
• Board & Governance Support: Provide corporate governance support for the NPR Board of Directors and NPR Foundation Board of Trustees.
• Legal Research: Perform exhaustive legal research and draft clear, concise internal memoranda.
• Outside Counsel Management: Supervise outside counsel on corporate governance and specialized tax law matters.
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
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Bar membership in good standing in the District of Columbia, or eligibility to waive into the D.C. Bar.
• 5 years of professional experience representing nonprofit, tax-exempt, or complex membership organizations in corporate governance and regulatory matters.
• Fluency in state and federal tax laws, including regulations governing private foundations and 501(c)(4) organizations.
• Experience practicing before (or working at) the IRS, including drafting administrative pleadings, audits, agency comments, rulemaking, and executing IRS Forms 990 and 1023.
• Working knowledge of FCC, FTC, and/or FEC regulatory environments and best practices relating to communications.
• Demonstrated experience with planned giving, estate administration, and fiduciary litigation involving annuities, donor-advised funds, and charitable trusts.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience practicing within the IRS Office of Chief Counsel (TE/GE).
• Direct experience drafting and administering complex trusts and estates featuring charitable beneficiaries.
• Experience advising multi-tiered, federated membership associations or national public media entities.
Education Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree and a J.D. from an accredited law school are required.
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 the D.C. Metropolitan Area.
Job Type
This is a full-time, exempt position.
Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you.
Salary/Benefits
$150,000 - $165,000 /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 produces award-winning news, information, and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation. The NPR audience values information, creativity, curiosity, and social responsibility, which are also core principles for our employees. We are innovators and leaders in diverse fields, including journalism, digital media, IT, and development, impacting the lives of millions worldwide. Our organization fosters a collaborative workplace where diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is essential to our success. We are committed to integrity and ethical standards in our journalism and every role at NPR, ensuring compliance with legal obligations as fundamental responsibilities for all employees.
