Paralegal

Overview

The Legal and Business Affairs (LBA) team provides strategic, practical, and timely legal and business support to all National Geographic Society divisions in service of our mission. The Paralegal will be an integral part of the LBA team, delivering substantive legal and operational support to attorneys across a broad portfolio of work, including fundraising and events, vendor agreements, grantee engagement, education, planned giving, and organizational compliance.

This role is designed for a highly capable paralegal—someone who is detail-oriented, analytically minded, and comfortable handling a high volume of contract and research work with increasing autonomy. You will help translate high-level legal guidance into well-organized, accurate, and efficient day-to-day execution. Topics within the Paralegal’s purview will include fundraising and events, vendor agreements, grantee engagement, education, and planned giving.

This position reports to a Senior Director and Associate General Counsel ("SDAGC") within the LBA team.

Responsibilities Include

• Contract Drafting & Review (45%). Independently draft agreements based on organizational templates (e.g., vendor agreements, independent contractor agreements, program documents, event production agreements). Conduct initial review of third-party and non-standard agreements; identify deviations, risks, or issues, and summarize key points for attorney evaluation. Draft routine amendments, releases, notices, and related legal correspondence.
• Research & Compliance Support (25%). Perform targeted legal and factual research using electronic research platforms. Prepare clear, concise written summaries of findings for attorney review. Assist in developing internal guidance materials, checklists, and training resources related to compliance, contract processes, or new legal requirements.
• Legal Administration & Management (20%). Maintain and manage contract and matter-tracking systems, ensuring accuracy and adherence to records management and audit policies. Coordinate signature routing, finalize documentation, and support contract close-out. Proactively identify opportunities to streamline administrative processes and improve departmental workflows.
• Client Support & Interaction (10%). Serve as a professional, reliable point of contact for internal clients. Respond to routine inquiries, triage incoming requests, and ensure accurate routing to attorneys as needed. Help maintain smooth communication between clients and the LBA team.

Educational background BA degree or a paralegal certificate from an accredited program required.

4+ years of paralegal experience in a corporate, nonprofit, law firm, or in-house setting, with a strong focus on contract drafting or contract lifecycle management.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word and Google Suite; experience working with databases or contract management platforms (e.g., Agiloft or similar). Strong legal research skills.
• Ability to interpret and summarize contract terms with accuracy and clarity. Exceptional attention to detail and high standards for grammar, formatting, and document organization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; professional presence with all levels of internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing deadlines and prioritize a high volume of work.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and exercising sound judgment.

• Familiarity with nonprofit or tax-exempt legal considerations (fundraising, charitable solicitation, compliance) is a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Self-motivated, organized, and proactive in identifying and addressing administrative or operational needs.

No direct report

The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. Our compensation structure and transparent pay philosophy are based on industry-specific market data for similar-sized nonprofit organizations.

The salary range for this position accounts for a wide range of factors…