Sr. Director & Associate General Counsel, Employment Law & Ethics

How You’ll Contribute

How You’ll Contribute
Job Description Summary
The Senior Director and Associate General Counsel will provide legal advice in the management of all employment related matters including benefits, payroll and immigration. Provide legal advice relating to anti-discrimination laws with respect to both employee and external constituents. Act as the lead for the Legal & Business Affairs Department on ethical allegation matters, including with respect to ethical issues relating to NGS Explorers. Will be a collaborative, strategic and solutions-oriented advisor to numerous business clients regarding how these subjects influence NGS’s business strategy. This position reports to the Vice President & Senior Associate General Counsel for Privacy, Technology, Facilities and Operations.

Your Impact

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include:

• Legal Guidance & Negotiations: Advise Human Resources professionals, Senior Leadership and other managers on NGS policies and practices relating to local and federal employment and anti-discrimination laws, including Titles II & VII, DC law, ACA, FMLA, ADA, FLSA, COBRA, ERISA, ADEA, USERRA, EO 11246 as well as U.S. immigration laws. Stay abreast of and advise regarding pending legislation and developments in case law. Advise on corporate downsizings, hiring, terminations, reorganizations, discipline and other matters. Draft, negotiate and review employment contracts, severance agreements, temporary staffing agreements and independent contractor agreements. Advise on and manage outside counsel with respect to benefits agreements and international employment law issues. (50%)

• Claims Management: Manage employment-related claims including those brought under the Society's Alternative Dispute Resolution program and keep program current with developing law.  Work with and manage outside counsel and work with mediators, human resources and business units to present best case on behalf of Society for threatened and filed claims, including development of successful strategy and resolution of potential cases.  Respond to subpoenas.  Review and respond to EEOC and other agency charges of employment discrimination.  Represent Society in mediations and arbitrations.  (15%)

• Investigations: Conduct internal investigations and report to relevant decisionmakers relating to ethical complaints and other violations of organizational policies as directed by the Vice President & Senior Associate General Counsel for Privacy, Technology, Facilities and Operations and Chief Legal Officer. Manage outside counsel as needed in certain investigations as directed by the Vice President & Senior Associate General Counsel for Privacy, Technology, Facilities and Operations and Chief Legal Officer. Provide confidential reporting as required regarding investigations.  (20%)

• Ethics: Act as the lead for the Legal & Business Affairs Department on ethical allegations matters. Responsible for development, adjustment, training, compliance and enforcement of NGS Code of Ethics. Educate managers and staff on Code of Ethics and other training programs. Review, respond and resolve ethical concerns raised by Society employees and third parties.  Escalate where appropriate. (15%)

What You’ll Bring

Educational background

JD, with license to practice as an attorney in DC

Minimum Years and Type of Experience  

12+ years law firm or in-house experience in employment law counseling.

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Employment law counseling and employment litigation or dispute resolution experience required. 

• Demonstrated substantive knowledge of the following laws and other employment and anti-discrimination laws required: Titles II & VII, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, ADA, USERRA.  

• Experience conducting internal investigations and responding to employment discrimination claims required.

• 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 Senior Leadership, Human Resources professionals, and all levels of staff strongly required.

• Conflict resolution experience preferred

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Supervision

One staff member

Salary Information

The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. Our compensation structure and transparent pay philosophy are based on industry-specific market data for similar-sized nonprofit organizations.

The salary range for this position accounts for a wide range of factors including but not limited to organizational need; specific skill sets; experience and training; certifications; and more. At the National Geographic Society, individuals are typically hired at or near the starting point of the salary range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The salary range for this position is $204,200 - $215,000. 

In addition, the National Geographic Society offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, 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 (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year) and 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; and a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks.

Job Designation

Hybrid - At the Society, we believe in the advantages of coming together to build community, mentor and learn from colleagues, and connect more deeply with our mission. As a result, the majority of our staff are Hybrid. Our Hybrid category requires that staff work at Base Camp two days each week: every Tuesday and Wednesday. Hybrid staff are also always welcome to come in additional days each week if preferred.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.