Associate, Investments and Office of the General Counsel (Legal)

Location: Greater Philadelphia area, Pennsylvania, USA
Department: Investments & Office of the General Counsel (Legal)
Reports to: Director, Investments
Salary: Competitive salary and benefits package based on qualifications and experience

Organization and Position

The John Templeton Foundation serves as a philanthropic catalyst for discoveries relating to the deepest and most perplexing questions facing humankind. We support research within disciplines ranging from astrophysics, evolutionary biology, and genetics, to philosophy, psychology, and economics. We seek to share and discuss discoveries related to life’s purpose and human happiness.  In all cases, our goal is to spur curiosity and accelerate discovery. To catalyze such discoveries, we provide grants for independent academic research on a wide range of topics that relate to the Foundation’s mission.

The Foundation is seeking an Associate to work as an integral part of two departments.  The Investment department is responsible for the Foundation’s investment portfolio manages its assets in accordance with an investment mandate designed by its founder, Sir John Templeton.  The Investment department is expected to manage assets by evaluating existing managers, researching new managers, and providing regular reports on the portfolios’ overall investment performance and risk to the Foundation’s Executive Committee and Investment Advisory Sub-Committee.  The Office of the General Counsel (“OGC”) oversees all contracting for the Foundation and advises on legal risks and compliance matters including in matters related to the Foundation’s grant making, communication and operational activities.

Reporting to the Director, Investments, the Associate will support the daily operations of the Office of the General Counsel and the Investment Department. In addition, the Associate will participate in other OGC and Investment Department projects and activities as needed to support these departments. This may include, but is not limited to, conducting research, drafting documents, documenting actions and creating and maintaining files under the direction of the General Counsel and the Director, Investments.

Areas of Responsibility

• Maintain consistent, efficient administrative operations for the OGC and the Investment Department, including organizing and maintaining files, records and databases.
• Assist with the intake, review, production, distribution and archiving of all Foundation contracts for services, including serving as the secondary interface with the staff of the Chief Financial and Operating Officer, Accounting, and IT Departments on such systems.
• Assist with the preparation, approval, and archiving of Committee, Sub-Committee, and Board meeting minutes, including the preparation of requests for compensation for corporate meeting participants.
• Assist with communications (written and via telephone, email and voicemail), including the composition and editing of correspondence and other documents.
• Manage individual and departmental calendars, departmental travel planning, and departmental expense accounting.
• Assist with departmental budget planning and monitoring as requested.
• Answer, screen, and direct incoming telephone calls.
• Provide assistance on coordination of staff meetings for the OGC and Investment Department, including preparing agendas and related documents, note taking, and managing files related to such meetings.
• Assist with the creation and distribution of Committee, Sub-Committee, and Board meeting materials, including presentations.
• Plan and coordinate visits by guests and other officials to the Foundation offices for the OGC and Investment Department.
• Perform legal and factual research, including internet research as needed.
• Assist with special projects as directed by the General Counsel and Director, Investments.

Required Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience required.
• At least 3 years’ experience in administrative operations, preferably in a legal or investments setting.
• Demonstrated ability to work directly with Senior Staff.
• Proven ability to exercise sound judgement, maintain confidentiality, and operate both independently and as part of a team.
• Detail oriented with the ability to manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency with MS Office software, are required.
• Strong personal interest in the Foundation’s mission.

Benefits

We are committed to caring for our employees and their families through exceptional benefits. We pay for 100% of employee medical, dental and vision premiums, and generously contribute to family premiums. We provide life insurance, short-term disability coverage and long-term disability coverage at no cost to employees. We offer a 401(k)-retirement savings plan with an employer match and additional discretionary contributions. Paid time off includes generous vacation, sick, and personal days. The Foundation offers a unique donation program, enabling employees the ability to direct a $5,000 donation to a mission aligned organization of their choice, with no employee donation required.

Location

The position will be based in the Foundation’s offices, located in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, team members may work in-office or remotely at least until April 5, 2022. The Foundation plans to resume in-office operations after that time.  The Associate will need to maintain an in-office presence but may work remotely for a portion of their week in accordance with our hybrid work policy.

West Conshohocken, PA, is a short drive (~15 miles) from Philadelphia there is a nearby commuter train station for access to downtown Philadelphia. The offices are close to residential and commercial districts with multiple restaurants.