Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Compensation Grade:

Senior Vice President

Salary Range:

$223,781.00-$352,754.00

Opening Date:

March 4, 2025

Closing Date:

March 19, 2025

Please Note: All job announcements close at 11:59 p.m. of the day before the posted closing date.

As the Senior Vice President and General Counsel, you will be responsible for providing advice and a full range of legal services essential to policy formulation, compliance with applicable laws, and the day-to-day operation of the airports. Your advice and other services affect the functioning of the Dulles Toll Road and Dulles Rail Project, in addition to IAD and DCA airports, which are critical links in national and international transportation systems.

Senior Vice President and General Counsel

This is an executive position.

Serves in the Office of General Counsel at the Headquarters Office.

Manages the Airports Authority's legal program, serves as chief legal counsel, and is the focal point for all legal issues and matters. Oversees the activities of in-house staff attorneys. Retains and oversees the activities of outside legal counsel. Performs related functions.

The recruitment for the position is conducted by ODGERS BERNDTSON LLC.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides interpretations, advice, guidance, and other assistance across a broad spectrum of legal issues and matters in connection with all activities of the Airports Authority. 

Ensures that interpretations, advice and guidance are well researched, based on sound analyses of applicable Federal and state statutes and regulations, and case decisions, and are of high quality.

Assures that legal memoranda and opinions, contracts, real estate instruments and other documents for which the legal office is responsible are legally sound, well written and of overall high quality.

Oversees drafting of comments on legislative proposals and rulemaking proceedings affecting Airports Authority interests.

Drafts regulations resolutions and other legal materials for Board of Directors’ consideration.

Drafts orders and instructions and other Airports Authority documents establishing rules applicable to tenants and other users of the airports.

Prepares various legal documents on strict deadlines.

Maintains up-to-date Codes of Ethics for the Board of Directors and for Airports Authority employees, and assures the continuing vitality of the Airports Authority’s ethics program.

Represents the Airports Authority in adversarial administrative and judicial proceedings. Negotiates possible settlements when in the Airports Authority's best interest.

Directs the work of outside legal counsel and serves as liaison to legal counsel for Commonwealth of Virginia, District of Columbia, and other governmental entities.

Stays abreast of recent legal developments.

Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Eleven years of progressively responsible experience in the practice of law in the United States.

Experience as a second or higher level supervisor of attorneys.

Knowledge of and skill in general law practice with a reasonable experience in aviation law.

Skill in the interpretation and application of a wide variety of laws and legal decisions and precedents.

Skill in the development of regulatory or legislative proposals to meet the unique operational needs of the airports.

Ability to perform complex analyses of data and information and make recommendations.

Ability to speak and write effectively, with emphasis on negotiation and persuasive techniques.

Skill in using a computer and modern office suite software.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Membership in the Virginia Bar.

Professional legal experience working with public sector organizations governed by a board of directors or other governing body, such as other airports, state councils or commissions, and or local governments.

EDUCATION

A Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES REQUIRED

A state driver’s license in good standing.

Ability to secure admission to the Virginia Bar within six months of hire, promotion, or placement in the job.

NECESSARY SPECIAL FACTORS

Membership in the Virginia Bar must be maintained.

Work is typically reviewed in progress and upon completion for quantity, quality, timeliness, teamwork, customer service, and other factors.

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A background security investigation will be required for all new hires.

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer.| Follow us on Twitter @MWAAcareers.