General Counsel & Secretary Jobs (NOW HIRING)

THE OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT , GENERAL COUNSEL & SECRETARY

The Office of the Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary provides advice and counsel to the College and serves as a liaison to the Oberlin College Board of Trustees and its committees.

Under the direction of the General Counsel, the Office is responsible for managing the College’s legal affairs and risk management functions.

The Office plays a critical role in providing advice on a wide array of legal questions, including the impact of existing and proposed laws and regulations on college operations or policies.

The Office provides sound guidance not only on legal matters but also on broader institutional strategy and decision making.

The Office also oversees the organization of board meetings, administers elections and appointments of faculty members to faculty committees and board committees, and maintains the minutes of board committees and key college committees.

As the College’s repository of historical records and the custodian of the seal of the corporation, the Office serves as an informational resource for the Board of Trustees and advises and briefs the president and board chair on board matters and governance policy and practice.

Responsibilities

• Under the direction of the Vice President, serve as a legal advisor to the Board of Trustees, President, and senior staff on a full range of legal services, in such areas as: contracts, procurement, research and business practices, software as a service agreements, Artificial Intelligence usage in university environments.
• Provide strategic support for mergers and acquisitions.
• Support the Office’s role of providing broad guidance and advice on the strategic direction of the institution.
• Provide legal and compliance support to new initiatives.
• Provide guidance to the College’s risk management and response process.

• Working closely the Vice President, other senior officers, and Oberlin’s community members to ensure Oberlin’s full compliance with all regulatory requirements related to its educational, athletic, research, and financial activities.
• Support the Office of the Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary in serving as an informational resource and maintaining confidential records for the Board of Trustees.
• Reviewing, drafting, researching, and negotiating College contracts.
• Identifying legal risks related to contracts, and coordinating with the Vice President and other College stakeholders on mitigation strategies.
• Performing legal research in support of College initiatives in subject areas such as higher education law, intellectual property law, nonprofit law, etc.
• Providing legal advice and counsel to College staff and leadership. Identifying legal/compliance issues affecting the University and developing appropriate solutions.
• Drafting and revising College policies.
• Representing the Office on relevant College-wide committees and groups.
• Assisting the Vice President with preparation for quarterly Board of Trustees’ meetings (legal research, Bylaws interpretation, etc.).
• Working with outside counsel on transactions, litigation and other matters.
• Providing staff training on legal issues.
• Keeping current regarding legislative and regulatory issues of importance to the College.
• Monitoring the University’s complaint reporting and case management system.
• Other duties, as assigned.

• Demonstrated understanding of and the ability to focus on the legal and policy issues facing a higher education institution; preference for a lawyer with experience working in (i) a higher education legal department; (ii) a law firm working for academic and nonprofit clients; or (iii) a relevant federal government department or agency.
• Experience counseling on legal issues and the ability to address compliance with the full range of applicable laws, regulations, rules, and policies that affect Oberlin’s activities.

• The candidate should thrive in a rigorous and often time-sensitive legal environment and possess a demonstrated ability to meet challenges with composure, employing the highest standard of ethics and personal integrity.
• Demonstrated excellent judgment; a lawyer who is sensitive to and understands the special nature of working in an academic institution where the need for a collaborative working style, flexibility, adaptability, and patience are critical to success; a lawyer who can gain credibility and work with and successfully advise Oberlin community members and leadership in decision-making; a lawyer who sees the big picture, is practical and who will bring to the position energy and a sense of urgency and integrity as well as a passion for the mission of Oberlin College.

• Highest standards of ethics and integrity
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal skills
• Exceptional communication skills and the ability to communicate complex issues to a wide range of stakeholders
• Deeply collaborative
• Ability to organize and prioritize work and meet deadlines
• Maturity and appropriate self-awareness
• Deep appreciation for faculty and an understanding of the critical role that Oberlin’s Faculty governance model plays throughout the institution
• Highly developed and demonstrated initiative, judgment, diplomacy, and confidentiality
• Ability to appreciate and respect communication and collaboration within a diverse community
• Strong analytical abilities, able to communicate complex issues in clear terms
• Passion and ability to interact with students

In all of its relationships Oberlin College is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, family relationship to an employee of Oberlin College, disability, or veteran status, except where such a distinction is proved to be a bona fide occupational qualification.

Essential Job Functions

Marginal Job Functions

Required Qualifications

The Assistant General Counsel will be part of a comprehensive team of advisors in the Office of Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary, serving the President, Board of Trustees and senior staff, and the College community. The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate personal leadership, knowledge, integrity, and organizational skills. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong work ethic with an emphasis on collaborative problem solving. The ability to communicate legal advice and present options to the entire Oberlin community is important.

• Graduate of an accredited school of law and a member of the Ohio State Bar, or eligible to practice law in the State of Ohio within one year or less.
• Minimum of 2 years of legal practice is required. Other government, corporate, law firm, and legal and executive experiences may be helpful, if relevant to the Oberlin College environment.
• Knowledge of a range of issues related to higher education law, including but not limited to statutory and regulatory compliance, intellectual property, research, litigation, and risk management.

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Office of Human Resources

Oberlin College

173 West Lorain Street

Oberlin OH 44074

http://new.oberlin.edu/office/human-resources/

Phone: (440) 775-8430

Fax: (440) 775-8683

Hours: M-F 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

human.resources@oberlin.edu