National Park Foundation | General Counsel and Chief Governance Officer
About NPF
The National Park Foundation (NPF) is a leader and catalyst in safeguarding America's 433 national parks and ensuring they are accessible and welcoming for everyone, forever. Chartered by Congress in 1967 as the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service (NPS), NPF is the only national philanthropic nonprofit whose mission is to directly support NPS. It generates private support and builds strategic partnerships that protect and enhance the parks for present and future generations.
With more than 130 staff, NPF raised more than $163 million in FY26 and delivered over $90 million in direct impact to parks and the partner community. It works alongside more than 470 park partners nationwide, and its $1.25 billion Campaign for National Parks has already exceeded $1.2 billion and is on track to reach its goal a year ahead of schedule in FY27.
About the Opportunity
For the first time in its nearly 60-year history, NPF is appointing a General Counsel and Chief Governance Officer, bringing its legal, governance, compliance and risk work together under dedicated leadership. Reporting to the President & CEO and serving on the executive leadership team, the General Counsel will be NPF's chief legal officer and a trusted advisor to a distinguished, nationally prominent Board of Directors.
NPF is entering its next chapter. A new three-year impact plan shifts the focus from how much NPF raises to the measurable difference it makes in the parks, and the organization is exploring new partnerships and lines of business. NPF wants a General Counsel who is at the table when ideas are born, not only when they are reviewed: a risk-smart, not risk-averse, partner who helps the organization pursue opportunities creatively and responsibly.
The work is wide-ranging and never routine. In a single week, the General Counsel might structure a major gift, negotiate a corporate partnership or licensing agreement, advise on a park facility construction contract, and guide the Board through a fiduciary question, all in a high-visibility setting where philanthropy, the private sector and the federal government meet and a strictly nonpartisan perspective is essential.
This is a focused advisory seat. The function is intentionally lean, with no staff beyond possible research and administrative support anticipated for the near future, and the role carries no programmatic or fundraising portfolio. It will suit an attorney who takes real satisfaction in being the trusted counsel in the room.
Position Overview
The General Counsel and Chief Governance Officer serves as NPF's chief legal officer, principal advisor on Board governance, leader of the compliance function, and partner to the Chief Financial Officer on enterprise risk management. Key responsibilities include:
Legal counsel: Structure, negotiate and manage gift, corporate partnership, cooperative (NPS), grant, procurement, IP/licensing, technology and construction agreements; advise on nonprofit and tax-exempt law, employment matters, insurance and intellectual property; manage outside counsel and the legal budget; oversee claims, disputes and congressional-inquiry preparedness.
Board governance: Serve as principal legal and governance advisor to the Board and its committees; support governance structures, bylaws, policies and board effectiveness; oversee corporate secretary duties* in partnership with existing board support staff, including governance oversight of board and committee meetings, governance records, resolutions and minutes, and corporate records (meeting logistics remain with board support staff).
Compliance and ethics: Build and oversee an organization-wide compliance program, in a collaborative and non-punitive way, including policy review, training and whistleblower processes.
Risk and strategy: Partner with the CFO on enterprise risk management; join new initiatives early; advise on crisis management, data privacy and cybersecurity, and NPF's nonpartisan posture in advocacy.
Legal operations: Establish efficient legal, governance and compliance processes suited to NPF's size, leading a lean, hands-on function.
*Per NPF's enabling legislation, the Director of the National Park Service serves as the Corporate Secretary.
Qualifications
Required
- J.D. from an accredited law school and active membership in good standing in at least one U.S. state bar
- 10+ years of progressively responsible legal experience, including substantial experience in nonprofit governance, complex agreements and compliance
- Significant experience advising senior executives and boards, and deep command of nonprofit, tax-exempt and board governance law
- Experience drafting and negotiating complex contracts and managing outside counsel and legal budgets
- Outstanding judgment and a record of navigating high-profile, sensitive or politically complex situations with steady, nonpartisan judgment
- A genuine personal connection to NPF's mission
Preferred
- Experience as General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel or senior in-house legal leader; 15+ years of experience
- Experience with philanthropy, gift and donor agreements, and foundation and corporate partnerships
- Experience with federal agencies, cooperative agreements or public-private partnerships
- Experience building or scaling a legal function, or leading change
- Experience in entrepreneurial, innovation-oriented organizations (for example, university-affiliated nonprofits, health system foundations or technology-adjacent organizations)
- Familiarity with Washington, DC and Capitol Hill, and with public lands and conservation
Leadership qualities: strategic, enterprise-wide thinking; sound judgment under pressure; the ability to earn the trust of a high-profile Board and lead through influence; candor paired with a clear recommendation; and warmth, humor and a collaborative, team-first spirit.
Location, Start Date and Compensation
Location: Based in NPF's Washington, DC office with in-office attendance three days per week; residence in the Greater DC area is required. Periodic domestic travel and attendance at Board and committee meetings are expected.
Start date: February–March 2027
Compensation: Annual base salary of $350,000–$405,000, depending on experience and internal equity, plus a comprehensive benefits package.
To Apply
NPF has retained Kay Linder, Partner in the Nonprofit Division of ThinkingAhead Executive Search, as its recruitment partner.
Questions may be directed to:
Kay Linder, Partner, Nonprofit Division
ThinkingAhead Executive Search
To ensure full consideration, please submit your application by December 2nd, 2026.
Applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.
The National Park Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are made based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications.
