Associate General Counsel

Salary Range: $278,300.00 To $315,000.00 Annually

Position Overview

The Legal Department provides strategic legal counsel and risk-based guidance to The Rockefeller Foundation and its affiliated entities, enabling the organization to advance its mission while operating with integrity and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The department partners with programmatic and operational teams across the Foundation’s U.S. and regional offices to support grantmaking, partnerships, convenings, contracts, governance, and other institutional activities.

Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel, the Associate General Counsel provides practical, solutions-oriented legal representation and counsel across a broad range of programmatic and operational matters. The role creates value by advising on complex and high-impact legal issues, anticipating and mitigating risk, and helping leaders make informed decisions that advance the Foundation’s strategic priorities. Working closely with senior management, program and operations staff, and external partners, including grantees, convening organizers, and other programmatic partners, the Associate General Counsel translates complex legal requirements into actionable guidance and structures solutions that enable the Foundation to advance its priorities while appropriately managing legal risk.

Work Schedule

This role is on a hybrid work schedule and is required to be in the New York City office on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Hiring Range

$278,300- $315,000. This represents the present low and high ends of the Foundation’s pay range for this position. Actual pay will vary based on various factors, including but not limited to experience.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide practical, risk-based legal advice and counsel on complex programmatic matters, enabling the Foundation to advance its objectives in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Support grantee and partner due diligence and ongoing monitoring in coordination with the Finance department and the Office of Grants Management.
• Review grants, partnership agreements, and other program-related work for compliance with regulations governing the Foundation and its affiliated entities.
• Develop, review, and update local and global policies and legal templates to ensure compliance with applicable law, consistency across the Foundation, and alignment with organizational practices and values.
• Provide support to Foundation management and staff on grantmaking, event and convening activities, brand and media activations, and other programmatic work at federal, state, and international levels.
• Draft and negotiate complex agreements that advance programmatic objectives, including MOUs, contracts, and grant agreements.
• Advise on the Foundation’s global operational activities, including the structuring and review of contracts and purchase agreements.
• Advise on and monitor compliance with policies governing Foundation operations, including intellectual property, artificial intelligence, external communications, registrations, and conflicts of interest.
• Train staff on legal issues and internal policies.
• Review press releases and other media and communications for compliance.
• Support governance and regulatory matters, including Board and committee materials and grant-related reporting required to meet legal, tax, and governance obligations.
• Engage and manage outside counsel on assigned matters, including complex tax, regulatory, and compliance questions.

Education, Experience, and Skills

• Generally expected to have 10+ years of legal practice, including experience working at a foundation or nonprofit organization in a legal capacity or representing tax-exempt organizations at a law firm.
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) and admission to the New York State Bar required.
• Exceptional judgment and discretion in advising on complex and sensitive matters and handling highly confidential information.
• Significant experience advising on grants, contracts, and other complex legal agreements.
• Solutions-oriented approach to advancing the Foundation’s objectives while identifying and appropriately managing legal risk.
• Strong project management skills and ability to lead complex, cross-functional matters across a global organization.
• Ability to build effective relationships and provide credible counsel across all levels of the Foundation and with external partners and advisors.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must have the ability to work in diverse teams with shared responsibility and accountability.
• Action Oriented : Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Collaborates : Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Manages Complexity : Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Nimble Learning : Learns through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder.
• Strategic Mindset : Sees ahead to future possibilities and translates them into breakthrough strategies.
• Develops Talent : Develops people to meet both their career goals and the organization's goals.

About The Rockefeller Foundation

The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation that enable individuals, families, and communities to flourish. We make big bets to promote the well-being of humanity in food, health, energy, and finance, including through our public charity, RF Catalytic Capital (RFCC). For more information, sign up for our newsletter at and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn and LinkedIn @the-rockefeller-foundation .

The Rockefeller Foundation offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that includes health insurance programs, tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment, a generous 401K, parental leave, and various forms of paid time off, all to help our employees feel energized, cared for, and engaged.

As an organization, we focus on six values to advance our culture and continue our success. We are dedicated to being Transparent, Optimistic, Accountable, Collaborative, Trusted, and Equitable. We expect all employees at the Foundation to contribute by developing their unique perspectives and talent, challenging conventional wisdom through evidence and reason, and amplifying marginalized voices.

The Rockefeller Foundation is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and compliance with all federal, state, and local laws concerning employment discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. To this end, the Foundation ensures equal opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, lawful alien status, physical, mental, and medical disability, veteran status, liability for service in the United States Armed Forces, or any other protected status.

The Rockefeller Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.