Assistant General Counsel, Corporate Governance

OVERVIEW

A thriving, mission-driven multimedia organization, NPR 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 – and our employees do too. We are innovators and leaders in diverse fields, from journalism and digital media to IT and development. Every day, our employees and member stations touch the lives of millions worldwide. 

Across our organization, we’re building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is the key to our success. We are committed to doing the right thing in our journalism and in every role at NPR. This means that integrity, adherence to our ethical standards, and compliance with legal obligations are fundamental responsibilities for every employee at NPR.

Intro to Position

NPR seeks an attorney to join our team representing nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations in complex governance and regulatory matters. 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.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The U.S.-based anticipated salary range for this opportunity is $150,000 - $165,000 plus benefits. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all U.S. locations.

NPR Benefits: NPR provides comprehensive benefits for employees and dependents. Regular, full-time employees scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week are eligible to enroll in NPR’s benefits options. Benefits include access to health and wellness, paid time off, and financial well-being. Plan options include medical, dental, vision, life/ accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability, short-term disability, and voluntary retirement savings to all eligible NPR employees.

Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you.

#LI-Hybrid

NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NPR is committed to being an inclusive workplace that welcomes diverse and unique perspectives, all working toward the same goal – to create a more informed public. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, religious belief, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, lactation, and reproductive health decisions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender status, gender non-conforming status, intersex status, sexual stereotypes, nationality, citizenship status, personal appearance, marital status, family status, family responsibilities, military status, veteran status, mental and physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, genetic characteristics of yourself or a family member, political views and affiliation, unemployment status, protective order status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.

If you are a person with a disability needing assistance with the application process, please reach out to employeerelations@npr.org.

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