Director & Associate General Counsel (Intellectual Property) at National Geographic Society – United States
Recruiter: National Geographic Society
About National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational institutions, founded in 1888. It supports exploration, conservation, research, and education through grants, fellowships, and partnerships. The Society uses the power of science, exploration, education, and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world, funding over 3,000 explorers, scientists, and educators globally.
Job Summary
This position offers an opportunity to contribute to international cooperation and sustainable development within National Geographic Society’s important work in international cooperation and sustainable development. Working in United States, you will collaborate with international colleagues and partners to address global challenges and promote sustainable development. Your responsibilities will include: Manage legal issues related to NGSs intellectual property portfolio, including copyrights, trademarks, patents, and domain names. Additionally, you will: Provide proactive and reactive risk mitigation advice related to strategic IP matters across the organization, including IP usage, content rights, and licensing. This role provides an excellent opportunity for professional growth while making a meaningful contribution to international cooperation and global peace and security.
Full Job Description
How Youll Contribute
Your Impact
Responsibilities Include:
Intellectual Property (60%)
Manage legal issues related to NGSs intellectual property portfolio, including copyrights, trademarks, patents, and domain names.
Provide proactive and reactive risk mitigation advice related to strategic IP matters across the organization, including IP usage, content rights, and licensing.
Supervise advice on all rights clearance and usage matters, including managing permissions for third-party content and managing the use of NGS assets.
Advise on and assist with coordinating the registration, protection, and enforcement of NGSs intellectual property in the U.S. and abroad.
Provide strategic IP and general legal guidance for Impact Story Lab and other content-producing groups at NGS.
Contracts and Miscellaneous (40%)
Provide general legal support for the Communications department, including drafting contracts.
Provides guidance on routine legal matters to other departments as assigned by the SDAGC.
Educational Background
JD with license to practice as an attorney in DC.
Minimum Years and Type of Experience
6+ years of relevant legal experience, including in the businesses described above and experience in the areas of intellectual property and providing legal guidance to all levels of staff. A minimum of 3 years in a management or leadership role is required.
Necessary Knowledge and Skills
Skilled in the area of copyright include negotiating and drafting intellectual property provisions in contracts, including consulting agreements, grant agreements and license agreements
Excellent oral and written communication skills, attention to detail, sound judgment and relevant experience.
Desired Qualifications
Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills to effectively interface well with internal and external clients in a highly professional manner.
Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and ability to work independently
Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail required
Ability to meet designated deadlines is also a critical qualification
Must be able to maintain the highest level of confidentiality and be able to handle sensitive materials
Supervision
1 Direct Report
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.
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 (May not apply to all roles that are required to work during high volume seasons or essential workers. Please check with the hiring manager for confirmation.); 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
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
W e 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.
Key Details
- Job Title: Director & Associate General Counsel (Intellectual Property)
- Grade: N/A
- Location: Washington, D.C., United States
- Department: National Geographic Society
- Contract Type: Professional Staff
- Estimated Salary Range:$84,000 – $144,000 USD annually
Qualifications
- Skilled in the area of copyright include negotiating and drafting intellectual property provisions in contracts, including consulting agreements, grant agreements and license agreements
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, attention to detail, sound judgment and relevant experience.
- Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills to effectively interface well with internal and external clients in a highly professional manner.
- Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and ability to work independently
- Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail required
- Ability to meet designated deadlines is also a critical qualification
- Must be able to maintain the highest level of confidentiality and be able to handle sensitive materials
Skills
- Not specified in the official posting
Benefits
- Competitive compensation package
- Professional development opportunities
- Comprehensive health and wellness benefits
- Inclusive and collaborative work environment
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the official UN careers portal. Female candidates and candidates from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.