ABOUT THE DAVID AND LUCILE PACKARD FOUNDATION
Founded in 1964 by David and Lucile Packard, the Packard Foundation is a family philanthropy dedicated to supporting leaders and organizations around the world working to invest in children and families, protect and restore the natural world, and create just and inclusive societies.
For more than six decades, the Foundation has advanced scientific innovation, championed reproductive health and rights, conserved and restored our natural world, and invested in the well-being of children and families. To achieve lasting change, we also strive to address root causes of longstanding problems, including building a thriving, resilient U.S. democracy; advancing racial justice in the United States and gender equity globally; and supporting a strong civil society around the globe.
Inclusive collaboration is the heart of our approach. We believe that actively listening to and learning from people with a wide range of views is the best way to create solutions that match the scale and urgency of the challenges we face. We are dedicated to supporting community-based solutions shaped by the knowledge and experience of the people whose lives are most affected and informed by data. We recognize that meaningful solutions require patience, urgency, and supporting the conditions for transformational change. We are committed to addressing complex issues over the long term while making tangible progress today.
OUR VISION: A just and equitable world where both people and nature flourish.
OUR MISSION: We work with people and communities to create enduring solutions for just societies and a healthy, resilient natural world.
OUR VALUES: Equity, Integrity, Belief in Individual Leadership, Thinking Big, Respect, and Effectiveness.
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
The purpose of the Office of General Counsel is to oversee all legal work for the Foundation, advise the Board on governance and legal risk management, support grantmaking, operations, and other activities and ensure compliance with laws governing the Foundation’s work.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Assistant General Counsel supports the work of the Office of the General Counsel and will assist in advising on grantmaking, governance, and operations. This role is responsible for providing legal representation to the Foundation and supporting staff by providing counsel on a variety of complex issues. The position includes ongoing work as well as short- and long-term projects such as policy development, risk mitigation, Board presentations and materials, and research and analysis of tax and grantmaking issues. The successful candidate will have knowledge about how foundations operate and the legal requirements that private foundations must follow. This position will be the legal lead for the Foundation’s the Families and Communities portfolio, U.S. Racial Justice Initiative, and other primarily U.S.-based grantmaking.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Legal Analysis and Counsel
- Analyze legal issues that affect the Foundation and its activities at the local, state, federal and international levels; prepare written analysis with conclusions, recommendations, policy suggestions, and proposed implementation plans to meet the Foundation’s standards of integrity and effectiveness and goal of creating staff-friendly policies and internal systems
- Advise management and staff on laws applicable to private foundations; provide support to management and staff on complex grantmaking, mission investing, employment, operations, contracts, intellectual property, investments, tax reporting, real estate, and other activities at federal, state, and international levels; troubleshoot issues with staff and assist staff in finding and implementing proper solutions and monitor as needed; manage confidential and sensitive information and situations
- Work to ensure the use of overall legal best practices in the philanthropic sector
- Support plans and strategies in conjunction with others and contributes to significant changes in operational activities; works toward resolution as appropriate
Corporate Governance
- Serve as recording secretary for Board and Committee meetings
- Draft resolutions and materials for corporate governance
Training and Process Improvement
- Assist in developing and delivering training on legal compliance in operations and grantmaking and issues for staff and grantee partners
- Identify areas and processes for improvement, make recommendations, and implement and communicate changes
- Support the Foundation’s internal processes and systems
- Lead and facilitate Foundation-wide projects and contribute to other teams
- Explore appropriate use of generative artificial intelligence in legal work
Team Contribution
- Support the Office of the General Counsel in making work more effective and efficient
- Serve as legal lead for assigned portfolio and collaborate with legal team to cross-train
- Build and maintain strong relationships with outside counsel
- Represent the Foundation internally and in interactions with individuals and organizations external to the Foundation
- Serve as a strong steward of Foundation resources
- Other projects and work as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- J.D. from an accredited institution and a minimum of 7 years of related work experience
- Admission to the California bar (strongly preferred) or eligible for in-house exemption (must register within one month of employment and maintain good standing)
Experience and Qualifications
- Relevant Legal Experience: Prior employment at a law firm advising private foundations, tax-exempt organizations, or comparable experience as in-house counsel at a private foundation or large nonprofit; experience with both U.S. and international operations preferred.
- Strategic Counsel and Governance: Proven experience advising governing boards, senior executives, and program leadership of complex, mission-driven organizations on strategic, legal, and governance matters.
- Legal Judgment and Integrity: Demonstrated ability to exercise sound, independent judgment and provide practical, risk-informed advice in nuanced or novel situations. Maintains confidentiality and professional ethics when handling sensitive information.
- Risk and Compliance Oversight: Experience identifying, assessing, and mitigating legal, regulatory, and reputational risks across grantmaking, investments, and cross-border activities.
- Operational and Strategic Insight: Understanding of how legal frameworks intersect with philanthropic strategy, operations, and financial management to support mission goals.
- Change and Influence: Strong facilitation and client-service skills; proven ability to influence decision-making and manage organizational change in a collaborative, inclusive manner.
- Commitment to Learning: Demonstrated ability to stay current on emerging laws and trends affecting philanthropy, including U.S. and global compliance developments, data privacy, and AI governance.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Commitment and Alignment: Deep commitment to the Packard Foundation’s vision, mission, and values.
- Legal and Analytical Expertise:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to interpret complex legal concepts and explain them clearly to non-lawyers.
- In-depth understanding of laws governing 501(c)(3) organizations and private foundations
- Expertise in several of the following areas: Grantmaking to nonprofit, for-profit, and other non-501(c)(3) entities
- Cross-border charitable activities and compliance
- Contract review and management (including international agreements)
- Program-related and mission investments
- Data privacy, cybersecurity, and emerging AI regulation
- Employment law
- Intellectual property, content management, and licensing
- Research and Communication: Exceptional research, writing, presentation, and communication skills, with the ability to craft clear, actionable guidance.
- Strategic and Project Management:
- Strong organizational and prioritization skills; able to manage multiple complex projects and meet deadlines.
- Demonstrated success managing workload independently while contributing effectively to team collaboration.
- Problem-Solving and Adaptability: Comfortable navigating ambiguity; proactive in resolving complex or novel legal issues.
- Collaboration and Professionalism: Works effectively, respectfully, and sensitively with colleagues across diverse backgrounds; models the Foundation’s values of integrity and respect.
- Technical and Administrative Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint; administratively self-sufficient and able to manage priorities and deadlines independently.
- Strategic Partnership: Serves as a trusted advisor and resource to internal clients, helping advance the Foundation’s mission through sound legal counsel and practical solutions.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The position is full-time. The salary range for this position is $202,000 – $230,000 annually. This salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on various factors, including without limitation individual education, experience, tenure, certification, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation offers excellent benefits for eligible employees. Current benefits include medical (HMO and HDHPs), dental and vision coverage; 15% employer contribution to employee retirement plan; life insurance, disability insurance, vacation, and sick leave; an adoption benefit; fertility benefit; a financial wellness program; health advocacy services, paid time off to volunteer for nonprofit organizations; matching grants for employee contributions to tax exempt organizations; commute assistance; and tuition assistance.
HYBRID WORK POLICY
The Packard Foundation’s current Hybrid Work Policy is that staff are expected to be in the office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays each week.
TO APPLY
Interested, qualified professionals should submit a tailored cover letter and resume to the following search consultants:
| Steve John Partner John and Snyder, LLC steve@johnandsnyder.com (415) 505-6685 | Jason Snyder Partner John and Snyder, LLC jason@johnandsnyder.com (415) 505-6687 |
All inquiries and/or application materials sent directly to the foundation will be redirected to John and Snyder, LLC for review, which may cause a significant delay in evaluation and response.
On behalf of the Packard Foundation, we thank you for your interest in the Assistant General Counsel opportunity.
The Foundation is an equal employment opportunity employer, which means we recruit, hire, assign, train, promote, compensate, provide benefits, discipline, and discharge (and all the other terms and conditions of employment) based on merit, qualifications, job requirements, and other legitimate business factors.
