Associate General Counsel

Job Summary:

Reporting to the General Counsel and Secretary, the Associate General Counsel will lead the Contracting team in providing legal expertise and oversight in drafting, negotiating, and managing contracts essential to ICANN’s global operations. This role is integral to maintaining and strengthening the legal frameworks that underpin ICANN’s mission.

The Associate General Counsel will provide strategic direction and oversight for a variety of complex agreements, including registry and registrar agreements, vendor contracts, and strategic partnership agreements, ensuring compliance with international laws, ICANN policies, and corporate governance standards while fostering a high-performing team that supports ICANN’s operational and strategic goals.

Key Responsibilities & Duties:

Leadership and Team Management

• Provide leadership for the contracting team by overseeing work allocation, ensuring timely completion of assignments in line with established schedules, reviewing deliverables to maintain high-quality standards, and fostering the continued success of the high-performing team.
• Manage and track incoming requests to the Contracting Services Group, reporting to the ICANN General Counsel.

Contract Review and Recommendations

• Review and make recommendations regarding contracts and agreements, ensuring they meet legal requirements.

Contract Development and Negotiation

• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, including Registry Agreements, Registrar Accreditation Agreements, vendor contracts, and other agreements related to ICANN's operations.
• Ensure agreements align with ICANN's mission, strategic goals, and compliance standards.

Legal Risk Mitigation

• Identify and analyze legal risks associated with contracting activities and provide actionable recommendations to mitigate them.
• Ensure ICANN’s contracts adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies across jurisdictions.

Policy and Contractual Compliance

• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure compliance with ICANN’s bylaws, contractual frameworks, and policy development processes.
• Work closely with ICANN’s compliance and operations teams to address disputes or enforcement actions related to contracts.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage with ICANN’s global stakeholders, including registries, registrars, and other contracted parties, to address legal and contractual concerns.
• Provide legal guidance and support during multi-stakeholder discussions, public meetings, and policy implementation processes.

Team Collaboration

• Support and collaborate with other members of the legal team on cross-functional projects and global initiatives.
• Provide training and guidance to ICANN staff on contracting best practices and legal considerations.

Document Management and Process Improvement

• Maintain accurate records of contracts and agreements, ensuring accessibility and compliance with document retention policies.
• Contribute to the development of tools, processes, and templates to streamline ICANN’s contracting activities.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
(Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions)

• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Strong business acumen with an acute understanding of the balance between risk and reward.
• Knowledge of contracting best practices.
• Ability to manage shifting priorities and navigate unresolved areas of law.
• Sound business/legal judgment with the ability to balance business objectives and risk, and solve legal problems in a high-output, fast-moving environment.
• Exceptional writing, contract drafting, and oral communication skills.
• High-quality work product with fast turnaround times.
• Ability to work in cross-functional teams, with experience in project management environments being beneficial.
• Clear proven ability to understand consensus building.
• Knowledge of ICANN’s Multistakeholder Model, the domain name system, and the top-level domain name industry is preferred.
• Curiosity and passion for the development of the internet and domain name system.
• Ability to work independently.
• Global perspective.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree required.
• Active license to practice law and being a member in good standing with the appropr