Director & Associate General Counsel (Intellectual Property)

Company: National Geographic Society
Location: Washington
Posted on: April 2, 2026

Job Description:

How You’ll Contribute The Legal and Business Affairs team provides strategic, practical and timely legal and business advice and support to all Society divisions in support of our mission. The National Geographic Society (“NGS”) invests in a diverse, global community of National Geographic Explorers who are leading a new age of exploration in support of our mission: to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world through science, exploration, education, and storytelling. These bold individuals represent more than 140 countries, and their vast array of backgrounds, perspectives, and fields bring us to the far reaches of the globe. On behalf of the National Geographic Society, the Director & Associate General Counsel (“DAGC”) is responsible for providing legal counsel on intellectual property, including matters pertaining to copyright, trademark, and media law. The DAGC will provide organization-wide advice on complex and strategic IP matters, coordinate with the Senior Manager, Leadership Support & Operations on routine filings, and supervise the Manager, Contracts and Rights, responsible for clearance rights. In addition, the DAGC will provide general legal support to the Communications department and shall provide other legal support and guidance as assigned. This position reports to the Senior Director & Associate General Counsel (“SDAGC”) responsible for programs, intellectual property and anti-corruption compliance. Your Impact Responsibilities Include: Intellectual Property (60%) Manage legal issues related to NGS’s 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 NGS’s 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. The salary range for this position is $185,250.00 - $195,000.00. 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 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. 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.

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