In-House General Counsel

Reporting to the General Manager and Project Director, the In-House Counsel (GC) serves as Donlin Gold’s principal legal and strategic business advisor, providing guidance on corporate, commercial, and regulatory matters. This position plays a key role in managing legal risk, advancing strategic project and business objectives, and ensuring Donlin Gold’s operations and partnerships are built on a sound legal and compliance foundation. The GC will be instrumental in supporting project financing, joint venture governance, major contracting, and coordination with Donlin Gold’s Alaska Native Corporation partners, while maintaining oversight of key environmental and permitting obligations.

 

Key Responsibilities:

Corporate & Commercial Strategy:

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the General Manager and Project Director on legal, business, and governance matters impacting project execution and corporate direction.
• Provide legal input, review, and advice on commercial transactions, contracts, procurement strategies, and financial arrangements.
• Support corporate governance, risk management, and compliance alignment with Donlin Gold’s ownership structure and business objectives.
• Lead and oversee negotiations for construction, services, logistics, and professional agreements to protect Donlin Gold’s commercial interests.
• Manage relationships and coordination with external counsel and the legal teams of Donlin Gold’s owners and Alaska Native Corporation partners.
• Risk Management & Compliance:
• Identify, assess, and mitigate corporate, financial, and operational risks.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws and corporate policies, including those related to business conduct, ethics, and regulatory reporting.
• Advise on litigation strategy, dispute resolution, and internal investigations.
• Oversee legal aspects of corporate filings, insurance coverage, and contract administration.

Environmental & Permitting Oversight:

• Provide legal review and strategic guidance on environmental permitting and compliance obligations in collaboration with Donlin Gold’s permitting and environmental teams.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments impacting mine permitting, planning, and project execution.
• Liaise with external counsel and regulatory agencies to ensure timely and compliant permitting activities.

Leadership & Collaboration:

• Partner with executive and operational leadership to ensure integrated decision-making across legal, business, and technical areas.
• Represent Donlin Gold in key negotiations, regulatory discussions, and stakeholder meetings.
• Promote awareness of legal and business risk management across all departments.

Education and Experience:

• Juris Doctorate (JD) degree.
• Minimum of 10 years of legal experience in corporate, contracting, project development & finance, preferably in the mining sector. Substantive experience in legal issues relating to mining is essential.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience as General Counsel or senior legal advisor in the natural resources industry, preferably in the mining sector.
• Active license to practice law in Alaska, or the ability to gain licensure in Alaska.

Skills & Competencies:

• Experience negotiating and administering construction, operating, and financing contracts related to mining projects is essential. Experience working with such contracts in the context of new mining project development is highly desirable.
• Experience working with government agencies on permitting and environmental issues is desirable.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.
• Strong understanding of corporate governance, risk management, and contracting.
• Ability to work collaboratively and lead across functional and project departments.

 

This position is based in the Anchorage office, and the selected candidate must be willing to travel to visit the Yukon-Kuskokwim region and Donlin Gold project site. Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter via Donlin Gold Careers (https://donlingold.com/careers/current-openings/). Donlin Gold LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring and advancing qualified local and shareholder candidates from Calista Corporation and The Kuskokwim Corporation. A post-offer criminal background clearance, physical and drug screening are required. Open until filled.