General Counsel

The Presidio Trust is seeking a General Counsel. This is a unique opportunity to serve as the chief legal advisor to a forward-thinking federal agency charged with preserving and sharing one of the most iconic national park sites in the country.

The Presidio Trust is an innovative federal agency that stewards and shares the history, beauty, and wonder of the Presidio for everyone to enjoy forever. The ancestral homeland of the Ramaytush Ohlone, the Presidio was once a military post under three flags. Today, it is a surprising national park site spanning 1,500 acres at the Golden Gate. Its rare natural habits, inspiring views, and world-class trails are a local and global attraction. It is among the most biologically diverse parks in America and a popular destination with beaches, museums, restaurants, hotels, homes, and offices.

As General Counsel, you will report to the Chief Executive Officer, providing expert legal guidance to the CEO, Board of Directors, and senior executives. As a member of the Executive Team, the General Counsel shares accountability for the strategic, operational, and legal success of the agency. The role combines strategic legal leadership with direct oversight of internal legal staff, and outside legal advisors, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and proactive legal risk management.

This is a full-time position based in the San Francisco Bay Area, offering a competitive compensation and benefits package. The salary range begins at $256,686, with the starting base salary commensurate with the candidates experience and qualifications. Applications received by October 14, 2025, will receive first consideration. First round interviews are scheduled for October 27 and 30, with second round November 17 and 18. Please hold those dates if you are seriously considering applying. Our target start date is January 2026.

Responsibilities

Strategic Legal Leadership

• Deliver timely, pragmatic legal advice to CEO, Executive Team and Board of Directors to support informed decision-making.
• Serve on the Executive Team, contributing legal insight to operational strategy, operations and risk mitigation.
• Provide real-time legal and governance counsel during Board meetings.
• Develop and implement legal strategies aligned with the Trust’s mission, business priorities, and compliance obligations.

Board Governance & Corporate Secretary Duties

• Serve as the informal Secretary to the Board, ensuring accuracy and consistency of board materials and actions.
• Maintain and update Board bylaws, policies, manuals, minutes; oversee publication of Board-related public documents.
• Serve as lead staff liaison to the Board’s Governance and Human Resources Committee.

Team Leadership and Performance Management

• Lead, coach and manage a high-performing legal team; ensure timely delivery of quality legal services across the agency.
• Set clear performance expectations, promote individual and team development, and foster a collaborative, service-oriented culture.

Legal Operations and External Counsel Oversight

• Oversee the strategic use of outside counsel, ensuring high-quality deliverables, cost-effectiveness and alignment with Trust legal priorities.
• Develop and manage the annual legal department budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with operational needs.

Legal Program Oversight (through Delegation)

Ensure effective execution of the following legal programs and deliverables:

• Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Administration. Oversee investigation, settlement, and litigation of tort claims involving the Trust. Ensure timely resolution and documentation of all claims. Coordinate settlement recommendations with the Chief Financial Officer and insurance carriers.
• Litigation Management. Manage the internal process to ensure effective resolution of litigation matters in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice.
• Administrative Hearings & Arbitrations. Represent and oversee representation of the Trust in all administrative hearings and arbitrations.
• Ethics Program Oversight (DAEO). Oversee the Designated Agency Ethics Official (DAEO) and the agency’s federal ethics program. Provide training and advice on federal ethics rules to staff and Board members. Administer the agency’s confidential and public financial disclosure report program.
• Compliance. Monitor and direct the submission of reports required by applicable federal rules, regulations and executive orders. Oversee the administration of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act requirements ensuring timely and accurate responses in accordance with statutory obligations.
• Areas of In-House Legal Expertise. Maintain subject matter expertise in-house in the following areas:
  • Applicability of federal laws, regulations, executive orders and other federal directives to the Trust, and the interpretation of those that do apply. This includes drafting official legal opinions for the Trust.
  • Real estate development and leasing in the Presidio. This includes drafting, negotiating and interpreting a variety of real estate-related documents.
  • Hospitality management for hotels and a golf course.
  • Contracts for the procurement of goods and services, including in construction and technology.
  • Compliance with applicable environmental and historic preservation laws and regulations.
  • Federal employment law, including serving as legal adviser in union negotiations.
  • Drafting, interpreting, and publishing Trust regulations per federal guidelines.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Directly supervises up to five employees. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Presidio Trust’s policies, directives and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training and mentoring employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; fostering continuous improvement and staff development; authorizing time off; coaching and disciplining employees; and addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited United States law school.
• Active bar membership in any U.S. state or the District of Columbia.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of increasingly senior legal experience.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex legal issues clearly and effectively to non-legal audiences.
• Proven ability to deliver real-time legal advice to a Board of Directors and to executives in dynamic environments.
• Strong judgment, with demonstrated ability to identify legal issues, assess risk and prioritize effectively.
• High ethical standards, discretion, and professional integrity.
• Proven adaptability and willingness to learn new areas of law.
• Positive, optimistic attitude.
• Personal commitment to public service and passion for the Presidio as a national park.
• Good sense of humor.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience managing legal staff members and building team capacity.
• Proven ability to manage outside counsel for cost and performance.
• Experience developing and managing legal department budgets.

Background Check
This position is subject to an employment background check which shall consist of a review of applicable county, state and Federal criminal and civil records, state bankruptcy indexes, driver’s license, education, employment history and professional licenses. An individual’s granting of a background check and resulting report is voluntary. However, employment is contingent upon the successful completion of an employment background check. The Presidio Trust may refuse to hire an individual, may rescind an offer of employment to an individual, or may review and terminate the employment of a current employee not successfully completing the background check.

Financial Disclosure
This position will require the completion of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) Form 278, Public Financial Disclosure Report, both as a New Entrant into the position and annually thereafter. The purpose of the financial disclosure system is to assist employees and their agencies in avoiding conflicts between official duties and private financial interests or affiliations.

The Presidio Trust is an equal opportunity employer, offering a competitive benefits package. To learn more, visit www.presidio.gov/about/presidio-trust/careers.