Assistant General Counsel in Washington, District of Columbia at National Association of Home Builders

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) seeks an experienced and pragmatic Assistant General Counsel to provide legal advice and support across a broad range of association matters. This position will serve as a key member of the legal team and advise internal clients on commercial contracts, corporate governance, privacy and data protection, compliance, risk management, and nonprofit operations.

The successful candidate will be a strategic problem solver who can independently manage complex legal matters, provide business-oriented advice, and work collaboratively with senior leadership, staff, members, and outside counsel.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Contract Review, Negotiation, and Transactional Support

• Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on a wide variety of contracts, including vendor agreements, software and technology agreements, event and meeting contracts, sponsorship agreements, consulting agreements, licensing agreements, and nondisclosure agreements.
• Support the administration and continuous improvement of NAHB's contract review and approval process.
• Assist in developing contract templates, playbooks, and internal guidance materials.
• Partner with business units to identify legal and operational risks and develop practical solutions.
• Coordinate with outside counsel on specialized transactional matters when necessary.

Corporate Governance and Association Operations

• Provide legal advice regarding NAHB's bylaws, governance policies, committee and council operations, and nonprofit corporate matters.
• Assist in preparing governance materials, resolutions, motions, policies, and board-related documents.
• Support the Corporate Secretary function, including governance recordkeeping and compliance with applicable nonprofit laws.
• Advise staff and leadership regarding fiduciary duties, conflicts of interest, governance best practices, and organizational risk management.

Privacy, Compliance, and Risk Management

• Advise on privacy, data protection, information governance, and cybersecurity-related legal issues.
• Assist with the development, implementation, and maintenance of privacy policies, data governance practices, and compliance programs.
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments affecting trade associations, nonprofits, meetings, marketing activities, and member services.
• Conduct compliance reviews and risk assessments and recommend appropriate safeguards.

Legal Research and Advisory Services

• Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda, presentations, and guidance on federal, state, and nonprofit legal issues.
• Analyze emerging legal developments and advise internal stakeholders on operational impacts.
• Support organizational initiatives involving governance, technology, artificial intelligence, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance.
• Respond to legal questions from staff and assist with issue spotting and problem resolution.

Litigation and Outside Counsel Management

• Assist in managing litigation, disputes, investigations, and administrative matters.
• Coordinate with outside counsel and internal stakeholders on legal strategy, document collection, and case management.

Qualifications

Education

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing in at least one state bar; eligibility for admission in the District of Columbia preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible legal experience.
• Experience in commercial contracting and contract negotiation required.
• Experience with privacy, data protection, and regulatory compliance matters required.
• Experience advising nonprofit organizations, trade associations, corporations, or similarly complex organizations preferred.
• Experience supporting boards of directors, committees, or corporate governance functions preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of contract law, nonprofit law, corporate governance, privacy, compliance, and risk management.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and practically to non-lawyers.
• Strong judgment and ability to balance legal risk with business objectives.
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion in sensitive matters.
• Collaborative approach and strong interpersonal skills for working with executives, volunteer leaders, members, and staff.
• Department heads and staff across the organization
• State and local home builders' associations
• Outside counsel, vendors, and business partners