Associate General Counsel

About The Kennedy Center

“I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit.” – President John F. Kennedy

The Kennedy Center is the nation’s cultural center and living memorial to President John F. Kennedy. Located on the banks of the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., the Center presents performances across all genres, and is also home to artistic affiliates Washington National Opera and National Symphony Orchestra. 

At the Kennedy Center, we strive to foster belonging and empowerment at work. We are able to advance our mission because of our committed and passionate employees. We are fortunate to be able to leverage their diverse perspectives, life experiences and skills to inform how our workplace can be a safe, transparent, and replenishing community. The Kennedy Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition, or any other basis protected by law. 

Mission Statement: As America's performing arts center, and a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, we are a leader for the arts across the United States and around the world, connecting the greatest living artists with audiences of every stripe, no matter their background. We welcome all Americans and creators and visitors from across the globe to discover, experience, learn about, be inspired by, and engage with the arts.

Why Join Us

We offer a total rewards package to all full-time employees to include: 

• Staff offers for discount tickets
• Retirement plan with organization matching (after 1 year of employment)
• Qualifying employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• Commuter programs including pre-tax options for discounted parking and SmartBenefits (WMATA)
• Annual Leave, Sick Leave, and Personal Days available immediately upon hire
• 11 paid holidays per year 
• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits with FSA and HSA options, and paid FMLA

Pay Details

The Kennedy Center strives to design equitable compensation programs. The projected salary range for this position is $160,000 - $180,000, commensurate with experience, and includes a comprehensive benefits package. This is the targeted range of possible compensation for this role at the time of posting. This range may be modified in the future. Base pay within the range is ultimately determined by a candidate’s skills, expertise, and experience as it relates to the position qualifications and responsibilities.

Job Description 

The Associate General Counsel (IV) position is located in the Office of General Counsel (OGC), Office of the President, Kennedy Center. The purpose of this position is to provide professional legal advice and services to the General Counsel, appropriate Kennedy Center staff, and Kennedy Center departments and affiliates, including the National Symphony Orchestra, the Washington National Opera and VSA on matters that require the utmost confidentiality and urgency. The Associate General Counsel (IV) will report directly to the General Counsel.

The OGC handles legal, policy, and regulatory matters for the Kennedy Center and is consulted generally on programming, operational, and organizational matters.

The Associate General Counsel will support OGC in fulfilling its responsibilities through a broad range of legal, policy, and administrative activities requiring the application of expert legal knowledge and experience, and regular interaction with the General Counsel, other senior Kennedy Center management team officials, Kennedy Center staff and affiliates.

Key Responsibilities

LEGAL

• Independently research, interpret, analyze, and develop expert legal advice, opinions and technical support, either in writing or orally, on a broad range of complex and/or precedential matters relating to federal law as applied to the Kennedy Center’s business. Written deliverables such as legal memoranda, emails, letters, briefs, presentations, etc. must be concise, thorough, propositional, and provide well-reasoned interpretations and recommendations.
• Provide guidance on a wide range of federal contracting and procurement matters, including application and interpretation of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).
• Provide legal and policy guidance regarding federal appropriations and administrative law.
• Coordinate litigation matters related to the Kennedy Center’s federal activities, respond to subpoenas and document requests, draft and review pleadings, and assist with or represent staff at depositions.
• Render opinions regarding the applicability of federal law and administrative requirements to Kennedy Center and provide guidance regarding compliance and best practices.
• Provide guidance on additional federal-related matters, which may include but not be limited to federal employment and labor matters, Federal Tort Claims Act claims and process, ethics, grant and cooperative agreement management. And general administrative law. Stay up-to-date and competent in relevant areas of law relating to federal agency management.

POLICY

• Provides expert guidance for Kennedy Center staff and affiliates on substantive, complex legal and policy issues related to the application of federal law and policy to the range of Kennedy Center’s activities based on in-depth research and consultation/coordination with appropriate staff and outside contacts as needed and with minimal supervision.
• Serves on internal administrative committees as needed.

GENERAL

• Proactively provides creative and innovative recommendations on administrative and organizational processes associated with the operational efficiency and effectiveness of OGC.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications  

• Minimum 5 years as a practicing attorney dealing with legal issues in the areas of Federal contracting and procurement, including extensive knowledge of the FAR, and Federal appropriation law.
• Strong preference given to applicants with experience in two or more of the following subject matters: Federal Employment & Labor matters and HR policies, Federal Tort Claims Act claims and process, Ethics, Grant and Cooperative Agreement management, including knowledge of 2 CFR Part 200, and general administrative law.
• Admission to the District of Columbia bar and current membership in good standing.
• Related legal experience as an attorney with a Federal agency strongly preferred.
• Related legal experience with a non-profit or performing arts institution preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Excellent legal research and analysis skills.
• Effectively engage and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders and Kennedy Center staff/officials, some who are attorneys and many that are not.
• Advance legal components of transactional matters involving the Kennedy Center by recognizing the legal inflection points in order to develop solutions-oriented recommendations with minimal supervision by the General Counsel.
• Expeditiously recognize complex and sometimes nuanced legal issues, weigh and evaluate complicated factual information, and utilize both facts and law in developing legal arguments and alternative positions.
• Analyze complex litigation issues, dispassionately consider legal issues, propose solutions which deal affirmatively with problems presented.
• Excellent ability to engage with others inside and outside of OGC and collaborate with colleagues.
• Candidate must be local or willing to relocate to the DMV area. Relocation assistance is not provided. 
• Candidate must be willing to work onsite.