Temporary Associate General Counsel, Commercial Contracts

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.

NPR is seeking a sharp, transaction-focused attorney to serve as a high-impact contributor in our legal department, as a Temporary Associate General Counsel, Commercial Contracts. You will be responsible for leading a small team of lawyers to deliver sophisticated commercial agreements. The ideal candidate would be a skilled dealmaker with strong drafting skills and managerial experience who can protect the mission while navigating the speed of a modern media marketplace.

• →Strategic Deal Architecture: Lead the design and execution of various agreements, including membership agreements, network agreements, acquired program agreements, rights licenses, content deals, complex corporate sponsorships, brand integrations, and multi-platform advertising sales.
• →Content Life-Cycle Rights: Direct the acquisition and clearance of intellectual property for NPR’s flagship programming, ensuring all talent, music, and third-party content rights are seamlessly secured for global distribution through various platforms.
• →Operational Procurement: Negotiate mission-critical vendor agreements, such as agreements for facilities management and specialized production services.
• →Brand and Consumer Products: Oversee the legal framework for NPR’s retail and licensing initiatives, ensuring trademark protection and compliance in all consumer-facing product ventures.
• →Risk Orchestration: Provide real-time, actionable counsel to business leads on contract disputes, risk allocation, and the legal nuances of emerging digital media platforms.
• →Transactional Stewardship: Modernize and refine NPR’s library of commercial templates to reflect evolving market standards and nonprofit regulatory requirements.

• Significant Transactional Experience: At least 15 years of experience specifically focused on commercial law, with a track record of handling high-volume, high-complexity contract portfolios.
• IP Fluency: Deep, practical knowledge of copyright and trademark application within a media context; you should be comfortable navigating complex licensing schemes.
• Negotiation Skills: Exceptional ability to lead a negotiation, with the poise to represent NPR’s interests with sophisticated entities.
• Regulatory Acumen: Significant experience interpreting how commercial activity affects a 501(c)(3) organization’s tax-exempt status.
• Bar Credentials: Active member of the D.C. Bar in good standing (or immediate eligibility to waive in).

• Media-First Experience: Direct experience in the legal department of a major broadcaster, streaming service, or digital publisher.
• Tech-Forward Workflow: Experience using modern legal operations tools and AI-driven contract management systems.

• Application Requirement: Please submit a resume and a tailored cover letter. We are looking for candidates who can articulate how their specific commercial experience aligns with the unique needs of a nonprofit media organization.

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school.

• 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 an NPR-supported location based on the number of on-site days they choose.

• This is a temporary (9-month), full-time position.

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