Associate General Counsel

Join to apply for the Associate General Counsel role at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts 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. 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. 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 Independently research, interpret, analyze, and develop expert legal advice, opinions and technical support on a broad range of complex and/or precedential matters relating to federal law as applied to the Kennedy Center’s business. Deliverables include legal memoranda, emails, letters, briefs, presentations, etc., that are concise, thorough, propositional, and provide well-reasoned interpretations and recommendations. Provide guidance on 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, including 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. 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 Center’s activities, based on in-depth research and consultation with appropriate staff and outside contacts as needed, with minimal supervision. Serves on internal administrative committees as needed. 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: 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. Ability to engage and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders and Kennedy Center staff/officials, including attorneys and non-attorneys. Ability to advance legal components of transactional matters and develop solutions-oriented recommendations with minimal supervision by the General Counsel. Ability to recognize and analyze complex legal issues and weigh factual information to develop legal arguments and alternative positions. Excellent collaboration skills inside and outside of OGC. Candidate must be local or willing to relocate to the DMV area. Relocation assistance is not provided. Candidate must be willing to work onsite. Seniority level Mid-Senior level Employment type Full-time Job function Legal Industries Performing Arts Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts by 2x Get notified about new Associate General Counsel jobs in Washington, DC. #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-09-17