About the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. The Museum lives in two iconic sites in New York City—The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Millions of people also take part in The Met experience online.

Since its founding in 1870, The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects. We are committed to fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment with a staff as diverse as the audiences we engage. Our staff members are art lovers who are passionate about working toward a common goal: creating the most dynamic and inspiring art museum in the world.

At The Met, every staff member – from security officers to researchers to scientists and beyond – lives by our core values of respect, inclusivity, collaboration, excellence, and integrity. 

Respect: Engage one another with collegiality, empathy, and kindness, always.

Inclusivity: Ensure that all are and feel welcome and valued.

Collaboration: Reach across boundaries to exchange ideas and work together toward our shared mission.

Excellence: Lead the cultural world in quality and expertise—and inspire curiosity and creativity.

Integrity: Hold ourselves to the highest moral standards, admit when we fall short, and then evolve. 

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

The Assistant General Counsel is a member of the Museum’s in-house legal team, responsible for a variety of legal matters including reviewing and drafting gift agreements, reviewing tax and governance issues, and maintaining corporate registrations and licenses.  The Assistant General Counsel will provide legal services to several Museum departments including Development, Membership, Special Events, Finance, Investments, and Government Affairs. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

• Work the Deputy General Counsel and the Development team to review and/or draft select donor agreements for gifts of cash and other assets

• Work with the Deputy General Counsel to review and/or draft donor proposals and agreements for gifts of art

• Manage or guide, as applicable, estate administration on behalf of the Museum, particularly with respect to bequests of art or complex assets; work closely with the Office of Planned Giving regarding the same

• Review all tax filings, including Form 990 and 990-T; review UBIT and other tax issues that impact the Museum, and provide counsel to the Finance, Membership, Development, and other departments regarding the same; stay abreast of applicable legislative developments and positions

• Assist the Deputy General Counsel with governance issues, including revision of governing documents, Board committee issues, conflict of interest and ethics issues as they arise

• Assist the Finance department with various banking, financing and other agreements and related resolutions, debt issuance, and the travel policy

• Assist the Investment Office by reviewing agreements, as appropriate, and providing Secretary’s certificates

• Assist the Government Affairs department in reviewing agreements, as appropriate, and staying abreast of pending City, State, and Federal legislation that may impact the Museum

• Review contracts and guidelines for events held at the Museum, including the Costume Institute Gala

• Maintain corporate registrations, the Museum’s liquor license, and various other licenses

• Oversee charitable solicitation registration and annual returns

• Other duties as assigned

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Law degree required

• Admitted to practice in New York

• Minimum of 5 years of legal practice

• Strong writing and drafting skills

• Excellent public speaking and negotiating skills

• Sound judgment and a strong work ethic

• Interested and skilled in working as a part of many teams

• Able to work independently in a collaborative setting

COMPENSATION RANGE:

• Pay Range: $185,000.00 - $190,000.00 /Annually

• The advertised pay scale reflects the good faith minimum and maximum salary range for this role. The advertised pay scale is not a promise of a particular wage for any specific employee. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, special licensing or qualifications, and other factors.

Location Requirements

At time of employment, employees are expected to be located within commuting distance of the Museum. “Commuting distance” means that they are located in one of following states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania (the “Tri-state and PA” areas), and be able to commute to and from the Museum in a single day.

Benefits Offerings

The Museum provides competitive compensation, and generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees. Note: Benefits Offering may differ based on Employee Status.

• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• 403(b) basic retirement plan and optional matching retirement plan with an outstanding employer match
• Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and 13 Museum holidays
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Account (pre-tax income for eligible health care expenses)
• Commuter benefits (pre-tax income for parking or mass transit expenses)
• Free financial-planning services
• Financial assistance for relevant coursework, seminars, and training programs
• 25% discount for staff in Museum shops
• A subsidized staff cafeteria
• Access to the Museums Council pass, which grants free admission to various museums and cultural institutions

Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.

The Met is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, The Met will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed in this process, please contact [email protected].  

The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.