Assistant General Counsel

The Foundation

We are the largest nonprofit fighting poverty, disease, and inequity around the world. Founded on a simple premise: people everywhere, regardless of identity or circumstances, should have the chance to live healthy, productive lives. We believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve. We provide an exceptional benefits package to employees and their families which include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, foundation-paid retirement contribution, regional holidays, and opportunities to engage in several employee communities. As a workplace, we’re committed to creating an environment for you to thrive both personally and professionally.

The Team

The Legal Division at the Gates Foundation supports the foundation and its affiliates. We collaborate closely with our colleagues to ensure the highest levels of integrity are upheld by the foundation, its affiliates, and its employees. Our focus includes preserving the foundation’s reputation by ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations, while at the same time striving to be innovative and flexible. Consistent with the foundation’s risk philosophy, we consciously balance necessary risks with desired goals. We expect Legal team members to intentionally and consistently embody our values of optimism, collaboration, rigor, innovation, and inclusion. Acting upon the belief that awareness and understanding enhance impact, we provide perspective, training, and education to staff on the laws and requirements applicable to private foundations.

Your Role
As an Assistant General Counsel (AGC), you will report to the Deputy Director (Tax & Financial Compliance) and will be an individual contributor (i.e., non-managerial). You are responsible for providing legal advice regarding the laws applicable to U.S. tax-exempt organizations and on technical tax issues including Chapter 42 of the Internal Revenue Code and other state, federal, and foreign tax laws applicable to private foundations operating globally.  This position also includes advising on how to properly structure and manage grants, contracts, program related investments and other collaborations, and advising on other foundation operations and activities in compliance with laws that apply to the foundation’s work globally.

This is a full-time role with salary and benefits located in our Washington, DC (preferred) or Seattle, WA office. Employees work a flexible, hybrid schedule in the office 2-3 days per week. This role is eligible for relocation assistance from the foundation.

Applications accepted until EOD on Monday, November 18, 2024.

What You'll Do

The AGC joins the foundation’s tax lawyers in providing comprehensive tax advice to support the foundation’s activities and operations globally. The responsibilities of the position include:

• Conduct legal review of grant proposals and related documents with public and private sector partners, international organizations and other grantees for tax and related compliance issues and proactively identify and advise on opportunities for policy or process efficiencies.

• Advise on other tax compliance matters, such as permissible advocacy-related activities, compliance with self-dealing rules, grantee tax status, and tipping.

• Assist with OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control), sanctions and export control compliance programs.

• With others on the Legal team, support the legal needs of the regional offices where the foundation has a presence.

• Train and educate foundation personnel regarding applicable laws and best practices.

• Proactively collaborate with foundation divisions and teams to create and incorporate processes into legal advice and compliance strategies that are calibrated to the foundation’s risk tolerance.

• Facilitate compliance with, and ensure current knowledge regarding, applicable domestic and foreign legal and regulatory requirements in countries where the foundation maintains a legal presence or is otherwise active.

• Provide support in other legal matters or projects as needed and serve as an active member of the legal team.

• Some travel to our domestic and global offices may be required.

Your Experience

• Juris Doctor degree and current US bar membership in good standing are required.

• 5-10 years’ experience working with exempt organizations required.

• Ability to communicate difficult legal concepts clearly and non-legalistically to business clients orally and in writing.  

• Experience in educational technologies and platforms, including product development and commercialization, is a plus.

• Practical problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to think strategically, creatively, and proactively.

• Experience collaborating with cross functional teams, including experience managing relationships outside of legal.

• Comfortable in a wide range of cultural and geographic settings, demonstrating culturally sensitive behavior with a diverse range of people.

• Excellent written and communication skills; ability to build trust and credibility with partners at all levels and functions and advise on issues that may not have clear answers.

• High standards and excellent judgment, intellectual quickness and curiosity, resourcefulness and resilience.

• Ability to prioritize work in context of the foundation’s risk tolerance framework.

• Excellent collaboration skills in an environment that requires diplomacy, maturity, and good judgment.

*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.

The salary range for this role is $229,100 to $355,200 USD. We recognize high-wage market differences in Seattle and Washington D.C., where our offices are located. The range for this role in these locations is $249,600 to $386,900 USD. As a mission-driven organization, we strive to balance competitive pay with our mission. New hires salaries are typically between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint. Actual placement in the range will depend on a candidate’s job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as evaluated during the interview process.

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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.

Candidate Accommodations

If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request here.

Inclusion Statement

We are dedicated to the belief that all lives have equal value. We strive for a global and cultural workplace that supports ever greater diversity, equity, and inclusion — of voices, ideas, and approaches — and we support this diversity through all 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.