Associate General Counsel, Investments

About the Foundation

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), located in Princeton, N.J., is a leading national philanthropy dedicated to taking bold leaps to transform health in our lifetime. To get there, we must work to dismantle structural racism and other barriers to health. Since 1972, we have focused on developing and promoting innovations in health and healthcare to improve the lives of millions. Through funding, convening, advocacy, and evidence-building, we work side-by-side with communities, practitioners, and institutions to achieve health equity faster and pave the way, together, to a future where health is no longer a privilege, but a right.  

We take seriously our responsibilities, and we pledge to work in ways that reflect our Guiding Principles. These are rooted in equity and influence everything we do at RWJF. Equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI), and collaboration enable our staff’s wide range of experiences, passions, and perspectives to strengthen our ability to address our nation’s most pressing health issues and support a culture of belonging. Our efforts to achieve health equity require us to dismantle structural racism and other barriers to health. Part of this work includes actively shaping an inclusive organization where all staff members thrive as we build and use our capabilities, voice, and power to advance health equity. RWJF offers a collaborative, collegial, and creative work environment. With a career at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, you will make a difference.  

About This Opportunity

Reporting to the senior associate general counsel and chief investment counsel, the associate general counsel, Investments, assists in the legal review and execution of the Foundation’s investments (including impact investments) and related matters. The incumbent plays an active role in investment-related meetings, including attending and taking minutes at the meetings of the Investment Committee of the Board of Trustees and assists with the legal review of the Foundation’s programmatic grantmaking and related matters. The incumbent also assists with the legal review of other Foundation contracts and related matters, including agreements with administrative and programmatic consultants and vendors, all in compliance with the Foundation’s policies and guidelines.

As with staff at all levels of RWJF, the associate general counsel is expected to demonstrate a passionate commitment to equity and to the Foundation’s mission and Guiding Principles.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Investments—60%

• Assists in the structuring, review, negotiation, and preparation of agreements and other documentation related to the Foundation’s investments (including impact investments), including, but not limited to, private equity investments, hedge fund investments, co-investments, and secondary purchases and sales, including managing outside counsel representing the Foundation as needed.
• Assists in the legal review of post-investment matters, including, but not limited to, proxy voting, amendments, consents, terminations, advisory committee participation, and sales of restricted securities distributed by private equity funds.
• Collaborates with the Investments department and the Board’s Investment Committee on items of strategy and policy that require Law department input and participates in the Law department’s administration of such policies.
• Assists with Foundation corporate governance matters, including attending and recording minutes of select Board meetings, the meetings of the Board’s Investment Committee, and other meetings, as assigned.

Program Support—30%

• Collaborates with and serves as the primary legal representative to select program teams/themes, providing guidance on legal issues that arise in the course of their work.

Other matters, as assigned—10%

• Assists in structuring, review, negotiation, and preparation of agreements and other documentation related to the non-investment areas of the Foundation's affairs, such as service agreements, licensing agreements, nondisclosure agreements, collaboration agreements, and others.
• Contributes to and participates in select internal committees of the Foundation.
• Carries out other responsibilities, as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Commitment to racial and health equity and to the Foundation’s vision, values, and Guiding Principles.
• Expertise in legal issues related to private equity investments, hedge fund investments, other alternative investments, and general contract matters.
• Possess or demonstrate the ability to quickly acquire familiarity with laws related to investments by private foundations, such as unrelated business income tax, private foundation excise tax, excess business holdings, taxable expenditures, and self-dealing rules.
• Successful experience fostering an inclusive environment working as part of a multidisciplinary team and working effectively with persons from diverse cultural, social, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; collegial, energetic, able to develop productive relationships.
• Experience handling multiple priorities and organizing time effectively.
• Ability to provide sound legal judgment and demonstrate business acumen and integrity to play a significant role in the organization.
• Ability to develop creative and proactive solutions to complex legal problems.
• Superior analytical, problem-solving, and negotiating skills.
• Personal qualities of humility, capacity for self-reflection, and a sense of humor.
• Discretion and ability to handle confidential matters.
• Action-oriented self-starter who can work well independently and in teams.
• JD degree, New Jersey license (or ability to obtain New Jersey license to practice as in-house counsel), and a minimum of eight years of related experience, working at a law firm, private foundation, university, or other nonprofit.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

The incumbent will perform job duties in a typical business office environment. Tasks are generally carried out with no specific or unusual physical or environmental demands. While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to work at a desk with a computer for extended periods of time. Specific physical abilities required by this job include operating basic office equipment. The incumbent may be required to attend meetings, both on-site and off-site, via phone or videoconference.

Position Location

This position is assigned to our Princeton, N.J. office.

Hybrid: Flexible Purpose (HFP) Explained

As of January 1, 2023, the Foundation has implemented a model we call Hybrid: Flexible Purpose. RWJF’s new operating model is the infrastructure (e.g., policies, practices, protocols, procedures, systems) that forms the basis for how the day-to-day operations are managed, culture is built and nurtured, and mission is delivered. This model is designed to meet the needs of the organization while giving employees as much flexibility as possible. Onsite participation is determined by job responsibilities, organizational and team-level requirements, and mandatory gatherings throughout the year. While there are no fixed days per week, all employees are expected to plan their time on-site and cover commuting expenses, as needed, to meet those expectations. Learn more about our operating model and in-office requirements.

Salary

The non-negotiable starting salary for this position is $261,900. Why work at RWJF? Learn more about the benefits of working at RWJF.

How to Apply

• Applicants should submit a resume and required letter of interest by the stated deadline.
• Internal RWJF applicants should submit a resume and letter of interest through the Internal Jobs Hub app in Workday.

Application Deadline:

January 27, 2025 by 10:00 a.m. ET