Assistant General Counsel (Tax Exempt Expertise)
Division Summary
The Business Operations organization strives to enable the foundation’s mission-driven work by maintaining an efficient, well-run global organization where employees can thrive and make their best contributions. Doing this well requires effective collaboration, strong alignment, and thoughtful planning across both operational and programmatic teams – as well as shared accountability for mitigating risk and optimizing the foundation’s operational resources.
Legal Team Summary
"Guidance, Solutions, Integrity" describes the legal team's approach to providing responsive legal guidance supporting pursuit of the foundation’s mission and implementation of the foundation's programmatic and operational strategies. Legal team members represent the entire foundation and the team delivers comprehensive legal services by providing efficient and reliable legal guidance, managing legal risk, and supporting the development of solutions.
Leadership and Culture
Our culture shapes our choices about what we do and how we do it. We believe that energized people, working well together, fueled by great leadership in an inclusive environment can do extraordinary things. We expect foundation employees to intentionally and consistently embody our values of optimism, collaboration, rigor, innovation, and inclusion.
Position Summary
The Assistant General Counsel (AGC) is responsible for providing legal advice regarding the laws applicable to U.S. tax-exempt private foundations and public charities, including advising programs teams on how to properly structure and manage grants, contracts, program related investments (“PRIs”) and advising on other foundation collaborations and activities in compliance with such laws. This individual will provide support across the foundation and its affiliated entities. This is a full-time, exempt role with salary and generous benefits package that includes unlimited PTO, full family health care, hybrid work arrangement (WFH two days/week), 15% contribution to retirement and paid parental leave. As the foundation is growing in size, geography and complexity, we are seeking two AGC's to join our legal team and support the operational needs of this exciting global philanthropy!
A preference may be given for qualified legal professionals with experience working in industries that align with the grantmaking areas of the foundation, such as edtech, financial services, global health, communications or others.
This role can be based in the foundation's offices in Seattle, WA or Washington, DC.
Responsibilities
AGC's provide comprehensive advice to support the foundation’s investments, activities and operations on a range of matters including compliance with tax laws and regulations.
Responsibilities include:
Serving as a member of the foundation’s legal team and collaborating with other team members to represent the entire foundation, all from a “one legal team” and “one foundation” perspective.
Understanding and supporting the programmatic, operational and business objectives of internal client groups, developing creative solutions, and resolving issues using the appropriate legal framework, consistent with our values.
Structuring, negotiating, and drafting legal documents related to the foundation’s investments, including grants, contracts, program-related investments and complex collaborations in furtherance of the foundation’s charitable strategies; proactively identifying and advising on opportunities for policy or process efficiencies related to the same.
Advising on permissible engagement with private sector partners and other grantees.
Advising program teams on the requirements of expenditure responsibility throughout the grantmaking lifecycle.
Understanding and advising on legal compliance best practices for foundation grants, investments and other activities, including permissible advocacy-related activities, compliance with the self-dealing rules, grantee tax status, and tipping.
Quickly establishing a partnership of trust with key stakeholders and participate as a strategic and day-to-day advisor to clients.
Providing support in other legal matters or projects as needed, and serve as an active member of the legal team.
Training and educating foundation staff regarding applicable laws and best practices.
Keeping current on and track relevant new and emerging laws, policy developments and best practices, particularly with respect to tax-exempt organizations, private foundations, and cross border giving.
Some travel may be required.
Qualifications
A minimum of 3-5 years’ experience working with tax exempt organizations (i.e. foundations, nonprofits, associations, family offices).
Superior drafting and negotiating abilities.
Strong business sense and client focus.
Ability to work with flexibility, efficiency, enthusiasm, and diplomacy both individually and collaboratively as part of a team effort.
Strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and ability to communicate in a clear and compelling manner with internal and external audiences.
Intellectual curiosity, discipline, resourcefulness, and resilience.
Self-motivated and a passion for the mission and values of the foundation.
Highest standards of ethics and integrity.
Sense of balance, humor, and perspective.
History of effectively serving a demanding client base in a complex and fast-paced work environment.
Meticulous and self-motivated.
Flexibility to multi-task and agility to advise internal clients at different levels in the organization.
Ability to prioritize work in context of the foundation’s risk tolerance framework, priorities and objectives.
Required Education and Experience
Juris Doctor degree and current bar membership in good standing.
*Applicants for this role will only be considered if they are able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.
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Hiring Requirements
As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
Depending upon your work location, we may require proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 and any recommended booster doses. All employees based in the United States are to provide proof of full vaccination upon hire and any recommended boosters, subject to applicable laws.
Accommodations
If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request to .
Inclusion Statement
We are dedicated to the belief that all lives have equal value. We’re committed to creating a workplace where employees thrive both personally and professionally. We also believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve—in race, gender, age, cultures and beliefs—and we support this diversity through all of our employment practices.
All applicants and employees who are drawn to serve our mission will enjoy equality of opportunity and fair treatment without regard to race, color, age, religion, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and prior protected activity.
Apply online: http://gatesfoundation.contacthr.com/111246971
