New

Deputy Director, Legal (Global Policy & Advocacy and Communications)

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
paid time off
United States, D.C., Washington
Jun 14, 2025
The Foundation We are the largest nonprofitfighting poverty, disease, and inequity around the world. Founded on a simple premise: people everywhere, regardless of identity or circumstances, should have the chance to live healthy, productive lives. We believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve. We provide an exceptional benefits package to employees and their families which include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, foundation-paid retirement contribution, regional holidays, and opportunities to engage in several employee communities. As a workplace, we're committed to creating an environment for you to thrive both personally and professionally. The Team "Guidance, Solutions, Integrity" describes the Legal division's approach to providing responsive legal guidance supporting pursuit of the foundation's mission and implementation of the foundation's programmatic and operational strategies. The Legal team delivers comprehensive legal services by providing efficient and reliable legal guidance, managing legal risk, and supporting the development of solutions to achieve the mission of the foundation and its affiliated entities. The Legal team partners with our colleagues across the foundation and its affiliated entities to enable mission-driven work by maintaining an efficient, well-run global organization where employees can thrive and make their best contributions. Doing this well requires effective collaboration, strong alignment, and thoughtful planning across both operational and programmatic teams - as well as shared accountability for mitigating risk and optimizing the foundation's operational resources. Applications will be accepted until 5:00pm PST on June 27, 2025. Your Role We are seeking a legal professional to support the foundation's Communications and Global Policy & Advocacy divisions, with potential involvement across other divisions and affiliated entities. This role involves providing ongoing legal guidance and compliance support to staff based in the U.S. and internationally, particularly in areas related to communications and government relations. Responsibilities include structuring, drafting, and negotiating complex agreements, including those tied to high-profile campaigns and events, supporting government engagement, and advising on grant structures and agreements. The ideal candidate will deliver strategic, creative legal counsel in a fast-paced, evolving environment. This includes developing and implementing compliance strategies, identifying and mitigating legal risks, and ensuring alignment with relevant laws, foundation policies, and risk tolerance. The role requires close collaboration with internal teams to embed legal insight into operational goals across a broad range of subject areas, in service of the foundation's mission. What You'll Do Understand and support the objectives of fast-paced and demanding internal client groups, develop creative solutions, and resolve issues using the appropriate legal framework and in consideration of the foundation's values and risk philosophy. Act as a legal liaison and primary point of contact for several Communications and Global Policy and Advocacy teams, proactively identifying legal challenges and crafting business-oriented solutions. Advise on high-impact issues including global government engagement, public relations, lobbying, electioneering, digital media, rights clearance, privacy, and reputational risk. Demonstrate generalist expertise to identify legal issues and collaborate, where appropriate, with other legal team members or foundation stakeholders to lead the resolution of complex and strategic legal issues in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and foundation policy and process. Establish a relationship of trust with key partners and participate as a strategic advisor with regular touchpoints for communication. Facilitate compliance with and ensure current knowledge regarding applicable domestic and foreign legal and regulatory requirements in countries where the foundation maintains a legal presence or is otherwise active. Collaborate with the Legal Leadership Team and broader legal team to ensure effective coverage, work allocation and communication regarding legal issues related to the foundation, all from a "one team" perspective. Shape governance frameworks and corporate policies, including developing internal controls, managing conflict of interest issues, and advising regarding delegation of authority, ethics, and board relations. Oversee legal structuring and negotiations of high-stakes transactions and partnerships, including advocacy grants, campaigns, media agreements, and intellectual property matters, with particular strength and experience working with commercial vendors and contract negotiations. Lead education and training for foundation leadership and staff on key legal and compliance matters, ensuring knowledge transfer and consistent application of legal principles. Stay abreast of legal developments and provide thought leadership on evolving laws affecting private foundations, advocacy, digital communication, and nonprofit governance. Engage in a moderate amount of travel, primarily internationally, particularly to locations where the foundation has an office or presence. Your Experience Juris Doctor degree and current bar membership in good standing are required. A minimum of 10 years of experience in the practice of law; law firm experience preferred. Deep expertise in legal frameworks governing U.S. tax-exempt organizations, political advocacy, communications law, and nonprofit governance. Proven ability to operate at a senior level with strong strategic thinking, business acumen, and judgment in ambiguous or high-risk environments. History of effectively serving a demanding client base in a complex and fast-paced work environment. Excellent drafting, negotiation, and advisory skills, including the ability to translate complex legal concepts into clear guidance for non-legal audiences. Experience leading legal responses to regulatory or reputational crises. Skilled at navigating diverse perspectives and fostering collaboration across functions and cultures. Commitment to the foundation's mission and values, with a deep understanding of the intersection between law, policy, equity, and philanthropy. Strong business sense and client focus. Ability to work with flexibility, efficiency, enthusiasm, and diplomacy both individually and collaboratively as part of a team effort. Strong interpersonal skills, maturity, sound judgment, and ability to communicate in a clear and compelling manner with internal and external audiences. Self-motivated and with a strong sense of ownership and urgency. Passion for the mission of the foundation. Highest standards of ethics and integrity. Sense of balance, humor, and perspective. Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship. The salary range for this role is $261,700.00 - $405,700.00 USD. We recognize high-wage market differences in Seattle and Washington D.C., where our offices are located. The range for this role in these locations is $285,300.00 - $442,100.00 USD. As a mission-driven organization, we strive to balance competitive pay with our mission. New hires salaries are typically between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint. Actual placement in the range will depend on a candidate's job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as evaluated during the interview process. Hiring Requirements* As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Candidate Accommodations If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request here. Inclusion Statement We are dedicated to the belief that all lives have equal value. We strive for a global and cultural workplace that supports ever greater diversity, equity, and inclusion - of voices, ideas, and approaches - and we support this diversity through all our employment practices. All applicants and employees who are drawn to serve our mission will enjoy equality of opportunity and fair treatment without regard to race, color, age, religion, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and prior protected activity.