The Associate Counsel will work closely with and report directly to the General Counsel. This position will provide day-to-day legal advice and counsel to stakeholders throughout the Metropolitan Opera on a wide variety of legal issues. This is a generalist role, and specific responsibilities may shift based on the candidate’s experience and skills.Primary Responsibilities
- Provide legal advice and counsel on a variety of matters, including the following areas of law: exempt organizations, including contract, public finance, construction, tax and regulatory compliance, insurance, trust and estates, federal and/or state lobbying, and real estate.
- Draft, review, and negotiate a wide array of contracts.
- Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards, and provide guidance to the organization's departments and programs.
- Conduct legal research and stay informed about emerging legal and regulatory issues that may impact the organization and proactively recommend appropriate action or strategies.
- Support the General Counsel and collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop and implement policies and procedures that align with legal requirements and promote best practices.
- Engage and supervise outside counsel.
- Provide support on other legal matters and related projects.
Skills and Qualifications
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school and admission to the bar in New York
- Minimum of 4years of relevant legal experience.
- Candidates with at least two years of legal experience in a generalist or contract-focused role in a corporate or non-profit legal department strongly preferred.
- Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex legal concepts to a non-legal audience.
- Ability to work independently and to research solutions on a broad array of legal questions and make sound, thoughtful recommendations on actions and policies.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion in relationships and exercise sound judgment.
- Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Proven ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and effectively manage projects and multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrable understanding of and enthusiasm for the Metropolitan Opera’s mission and goals.
Physical Demands
- Met employees adhere to a hybrid work schedule that is subject to change, with legal department employees currently working in the office a minimum of three days per week in the office, which is the Opera House.
The Metropolitan Opera believes that diversity is critical to our success and growth as a leading performing arts institution and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the communities we serve.The Metropolitan Opera is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and existing employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, citizenship status, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.