Senior Director of Special Projects and Associate University Counsel - Baltimore, United States - University of Maryland, Batlimore

Description

The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) is Maryland's public health, law, and human services university.

Six professional schools and the interdisciplinary Graduate School confer the majority of health care, human services, and law professional degrees in Maryland each year.

The University's mission is to improve the human condition and serve the public good of Maryland and society at-large through education, research, clinical care, and service.

The Office of the President and the Office of University Counsel are currently recruiting for an experienced attorney and community engagement professional for the position of Senior Director of Special Projects and Associate University Counsel.

The selected candidate will serve a dual role reporting to the Vice President and General Counsel for all day-to-day matters where the candidate is serving in the role of practicing attorney on behalf of the Office of University Counsel, and reporting to the President for all matters where the candidate is acting in the role of Senior Director of Special Projects in the Office of the President.

Duties are generally anticipated to be divided equally between these roles.

As a licensed and practicing attorney, the selected candidate will be responsible for identifying legal issues, performing research, and providing independent legal advice and guidance to the administration, faculty, and staff of the University in their official capacities.

Among other things, this position will focus on providing advice and counsel to the UMB Community Engagement Center, the Office of Academic Affairs, and the Office of Emergency Management regarding a broad scope of legal issues including transactional or procurement matters, due process in the administration of academic affairs, affiliations and collaborations, research compliance, government regulation of campus activities, risk management, and policy drafting.

Further, on behalf of the Office of the President, the selected candidate will be responsible for coordinating and managing special initiatives and projects or services that support the strategic mission of the University and which will be particularly benefited by having the expertise of a Senior Director of Special Projects who also has a legal background.

This position will manage long- and short-term projects linked to critical success factors of the University including oversight and compliance of the university's approved Fiscal Sponsor Organization.

Additionally, the selected candidate will be responsible for the day-to-day supervision and oversight of the Office of Risk Management and will be responsible for developing this office in a manner that promotes responsible risk-taking and legal compliance by providing support and guidance to operational units across campus.

Benefits:
UMB offers a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes wellness, work/life balance, and professional development. This position participates in a retirement program that must be selected and is effective on your date of hire.

Exempt regular staff receive a generous PAID leave package that includes over 4 weeks of vacation accrued each year, 15 paid holidays, 3 personal leave, unlimited accrual of sick time, and comprehensive health insurance; professional learning and development programs; tuition remission for employees and their dependents at any University System of Maryland school; and flexible work schedules and teleworking options (if applicable per job).

Primary Duties:

• Oversees and executes strategic goals and special projects as defined by the President that foster community linkages and directly align with University strategy.
• Collaborate with multiple teams including divisions and departments across campus to research, design, and implement strategic initiatives to the betterment of the unit/school and its students.
• Effectively communicate with departments in order to coordinate special projects or legal services within areas of oversight or legal specialty.
• Collaborate and negotiate with outside counsel on complex issues within area of legal specialty.

Provide independent, competent legal advice within area of legal specialty that considers the University's Core Values and Mission.

• Conduct legal research and prepare recommendations.
• Analyze contracts, agreements, other legal documents for compliance with state and federal law as well as University policies and procedures.
• Advise campus officials and oversee responses to Public Information Act requests, subpoenas, or other requests for the production of documents under federal and state law.
• Draft and edit affiliation agreements, memoranda, and investigation reports.
• Draft, review, and revise university policies and procedures; advise on legal impact of current and proposed policies and procedures; provide interpretation guidance on current policies and procedures.
• Interview, meet, and confer with University employees on matters involving legal issues related to University activities.
• Serve on University committees to provide legal input on committee work.
• Review proposed and issued federal and state regulations concerning higher education. Prepare briefing memoranda and educational summaries for University use.
• Advise campus administration in connection with hearings and disciplinary matters.
• Oversee and manage Office of Risk Management team members and continually review strengths and weaknesses of staff to maintain a well-trained, highly involved, and motivated team.
• Provide general oversight and management of Office of Risk Management budget and other administrative functions associated with this office.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Education:
Law degree from an accredited U.S. law school.

Experience:

Eight (8) years of experience in public affairs, development, government affairs, and/or academic administration with prior experience providing executive level communications, writing/editing, or public relations.

Five (5) years of legal experience as a practicing attorney directly related to the duties specified such as in a sophisticated law firm or in-house counsel setting, a research-intensive university, or complex government legal work with a preference for experience working in higher education.

Supervisory Experience:
Two (2) years of experience at a leadership/managerial level with responsibility for the performance of staff.

Certification/Licensure:

Admission to the bar in Maryland or admission in another state with admission in Maryland within one year following hire.

Other:
Position will require annual financial disclosure under Maryland State Ethics Law.

Position reports to the Vice President and General Counsel and to the President.


Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent research, writing, and editing skills.
• Strong interest in higher education administration and community engagement.
• In-depth knowledge of applicable law in one or more areas of responsibility, willingness to learn new subject areas of law, and ability to implement newly acquired knowledge with confidence.
• Successful candidates should have familiarity and experience with several of the following areas: contract law, procurement regulations, due process in academic affairs, academic affiliations and collaborations, research compliance, open government and public information compliance, government regulation of campus activities, and corporate law.
• Skill and experience in negotiating and drafting highly technical transactional agreements and ancillary documents.
• Ability to mentor and supervise staff.
• Ability to integrate multiple complex projects and initiatives and prioritize ongoing and new projects generated by multiple constituencies at the University.
• Ability to communicate collegially with, and share information with and among, personnel at all levels of the University and external partners.
• Ability to provide clear, concise information to others in oral, written or electronic and other communication formats.
• Ability to manage interactions with and among others at widely varying levels of education, skill and professional responsibility, and provide direct guidance to those seeking legal advice on a variety of issues.
• Skill in legal drafting, editing, and negotiating.
• Proficient in the use of basic Microsoft office software (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook). Ability to learn and use electronic document management system of the Office of University Counsel.

Hiring Range:
Commensurate with education and experience

UMB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law or policy.

For assistance related to employment, please contact the Staffing department at

If you anticipate needing a reasonable accommodation for a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), during any part of the employment process, please submit a UMB Job Applicant Accommodation Request.

You may also contact Please note that only inquiries concerning an ADA request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.