Director of Legal

The Fund for Science and Technology is a new private foundation that is part of the Paul G. Allen philanthropic ecosystem.

Founded in 2022 and launched in 2025 we enable accelerated discovery and catalyze progress for people and the planet through transformational science and technology. The foundation works to advance bioscience accelerate solutions for the environment and leverage the power of AI for the benefit of Earth and humanity supporting work in the lab and across the ecosystem of scientific research collaboration and innovation.

Together we strive to advance the frontiers of science and maximize the benefits it offers the world.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Legal reports to the Chief Financial and Operations Officer and is responsible for providing legal guidance on the Fund for Science and Technology (FFST) legal strategy as well as overseeing a broad range of legal transactional policy operational and programmatic matters that affect FFSTs ability to achieve their mission. They will oversee legal affairs including risk management compliance contracts intellectual property employment and responsibilities include collaborating with program teams managing outside counsel and ensuring legal and ethical operations alignment. The Director of Legal will possess strong analytical skills a deep understanding of the law and the ability to communicate legal concepts clearly to non-legal professionals within the organization. Foundation and/or experience working with tax-exempt organizations is required for this role.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide expert strategic legal advice on organizational operations and initiatives contracts labor and employment intellectual property and potential litigation.
• Oversee the enterprise risk management and compliance frameworks protecting FFSTs legal and reputational interests.
• Ensure adherence to tax-exempt organization regulations IRS private foundation rules attorney general registration and filing requirements grantmaking compliance requirements global access policies data privacy and other relevant legal frameworks including all applicable federal state and local laws and regulations.
• Draft review and negotiate grants contracts and other transactional documents focusing on clarity consistency and compliance.
• Serve as a trusted partner to FFST leadership and program teams providing guidance coordinating legal resources and responsive project support for legal-related activities and systems.
• Manage relationships with outside counsel to handle specialized legal issues ensuring cost-effective and mission-aligned legal support.
• Assist in developing and implementing program policies procedures and guidelines.
• Oversee and manage legal disputes including litigation and arbitration.
• Work closely with various departments to integrate legal considerations into business decisions and collaborate with outside counsel when necessary.
• Advise on AI-related data use research collaborations intellectual property and ethics in alignment with FFSTs scientific and technology mission.
• Monitor changes in relevant laws regulations and best practices and proactively update FFST policies to ensure continued compliance.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Knowledge Experience Skill and/or Ability Required

• Experience working with/for a Foundation and/or tax-exempt organization(s) required.
• Significant experience in legal practice ideally in areas relevant to the focus areas of FFST supporting science research or technology-focused organizations.
• Proven ability to collaborate and provide strategic directions to staff across the organization.
• Demonstrated understanding of complex issues identifying legal risks and developing creative solutions.
• Working understanding of finance accounting risk management and tax considerations relevant to private foundations.
• Experience advising the board and senior executives on governance and compliance matters.
• Reasoning abilities commensurate with a mid to senior partner-level attorney or senior/deputy internal counsel in each legal practice area for which the position is responsible.
• High level of discretion and ability to handle confidential information with integrity.
• Strong social and personal skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for interacting with stakeholders including internal teams and external partners.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage a team while executing hands-on work when needed.

Core Competencies

• Strategic and analytical thinking
• Sound judgment and decision-making
• Relationship building and influence
• Integrity and accountability
• Commitment to FFSTs mission and values

Management Responsibilities:

Directly manages one or more employees. Responsibilities include interviewing hiring and training employees; planning assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems; and conducting regular one-on-one meetings with each direct report.

Required Computer Skills

• MS Office (Word Excel Outlook)
• MS Project

Education/Experience/Certifications

• J.D. from an accredited institution and 10 plus years of progressively responsible legal experience including experience advising nonprofit or philanthropic organizations.
• Admission to practice law in Washington State required and in good standing; admission in other jurisdictions a plus.
• Experience managing legal functions within a foundation research institution or similar complex organization preferred.

Travel Expectations

• Some travel expected

Special remarks regarding the work environment

FFST as an organization is in the office Monday through Thursday and Fridays are remote days. The hybrid work environment is an organizational decision that benefits employees may differ from job to job and is subject to change as needed.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is expected to be $343731 to $465048 per year. The upper portion of the salary range is typically reserved for existing employees who demonstrate strong performance over time or candidates who exceed our experience and skill set expectations.

The total compensation package for this position will also include other elements including reasonable and customary benefits. Subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans then in effect we offer eligible employees access to a robust benefits package. This includes Foundation-sponsored medical dental vision and basic life insurance plans for the employee and their eligible dependents. To help secure your financial future you may also participate in a retirement savings plan which includes a generous 15% employer contribution each year up to IRS limits and subject to a vesting schedule.

Our generous paid time off supports work-life balance. Employees receive up to 16 annual vacation/personal days in their first two years seven paid holidays plus paid time off for the day after Thanksgiving and the full office closure between December 25th and January 1st. Employees also receive up to 10 days of paid sick leave annually with unused time eligible to be carried over (up to the maximum unused time cap). We offer strong support for new parents with up to eight weeks of paid pregnancy disability and up to eight weeks of paid parental leave. Additionally employees may be eligible for up to 13 weeks of short-term disability benefits.

Were committed to inclusion and equal opportunity.

FFST is an equal-opportunity employer. Every qualified applicant will be considered for employment. We do not discriminate based on race color religion gender sexual orientation age national origin religion marital status sex disability political ideology veteran status or other protected class.

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The job description listed above is representative of the knowledge skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

If you need accommodation during the application or hiring process dont hesitate to contact .

Required Experience:

Director