General Counsel

Overview

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 Presidio is a 1,500-acre national park site at the Golden Gate, spanning diverse natural habitats with views, trails, and a mix of beaches, museums, restaurants, hotels, homes, and offices. The role reports to the Chief Executive Officer and provides 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 strategic, operational, and legal success of the agency, combining strategic legal leadership with oversight of internal legal staff and outside counsel to ensure 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 candidate’s 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 the 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 : FTCA administration, litigation management with the Department of Justice, administrative hearings and arbitrations, ethics program oversight (DAEO), compliance including FOIA and Privacy Act, and areas of in-house legal expertise listed below.
• In-House Legal Expertise : Maintain subject matter expertise in areas including applicability of federal laws to the Trust; real estate development and leasing; hospitality management for hotels and a golf course; contracts for procurement of goods and services; environmental and historic preservation compliance; federal employment law including union negotiations; and drafting, interpreting, and publishing Trust regulations.
• 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, including interviewing, hiring, 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

Desired Qualifications

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.

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