Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary to the Board of Trustees

The Human Resources Department announces the position of Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary to the Board of Trustees, reporting to the University President and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. 

As the chief legal officer of Robert Morris University, the General Counsel is responsible for interpreting the constitutional, statutory and regulatory framework in which the University operates.  He/She manages all outside counsel and litigation and coordinates responses to all agency complaints.

The incumbent provides legal and policy advice in a variety of areas within the University including, but not limited to: employment law; labor and employee relations; student legal issues; athletics legal compliance; workers compensation; tax matters; liability and insurance matters; intellectual property; real estate transactions; vendor, employment and other commercial contracts; organizational governance; computer and information technology issues; copyright issues; civil rights; faculty promotion; and institutional advancement issues such as fund raising, donor and planned giving arrangements, trusts and estates.

The incumbent is responsible for developing, administering and complying with the University wide legal budget.  She/he also works with Human Resources in preparing for and carrying out labor negotiations with various labor unions.  Assists officers of the institution and other upper management in carrying out the mission of the institution.  The General Counsel serves on the President's Cabinet.  The General Counsel also serves as Secretary to the Board of Trustees and provides advice on legal matters and Board governance to the Board Chair, Board of Trustees, and Executive and Board Committee(s).  The incumbent prepares minutes and corporate resolutions for same.

The General Counsel represents the University as an entity and no single individual, except as an agent or representative of the University.

Responsibilities Include:

• Provides legal counsel and guidance to the officers of the university and other University personnel on all legal matters relevant to the institution.
• Provides legal counsel and guidance to the Office of Student Life regarding student conduct and student-related legal matters.
• Serves as Secretary to the RMU Board of Trustees.  Provides advice on legal matters and Board governance to the Board Chair, Board of Trustees, and Executive and Board Committee(s).  Prepares minutes and corporate resolutions.
• Anticipates and identifies legal issues and counsels officers of the institution and other University personnel in order to develop legal strategies and solutions, often in situations of great political, public relations, or financial risk or significance, and with limited time for assessing alternatives.
• Prepares and manages the University wide Legal budget and insures internal and external legal costs do not exceed budget.
• Reviews, researches, interpret and prepare both written and oral opinions on a wide variety of legal issues.
• Drafts, reviews, and approves, from a legal standpoint, contracts, leases, policies and procedures, regulations, etc. and researches legal issues as needed.
• Involved with preparing for and negotiating collective bargaining agreements, as appropriate.
• Represents or oversees the representation of the institution and upper management in judicial and administrative proceedings, and in negotiations with local, state and federal agencies.
• Selects and retains outside counsel, if needed, to obtain legal opinions or to handle claims and litigation; supervises outside counsel and negotiates financial arrangements for legal representation.  All legal services for the University are provided through the Office of the General Counsel.
• Provides training to the campus community on various legal issues through seminars and meetings.
• Maintains professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest developments in college and university law and in other related areas.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate from an American Bar Association accredited law school.
• Member of PA State Bar.
• At least 7 years of experience that is appropriately related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage a university, corporate or centralized institutional legal office.
• Ability to communicate and interact with officials at all levels, internally and externally.
• Knowledge of institutional policies and procedures, regulations and bylaws, and the legal environment within which the University operates.
• Ability to provide competent legal advice and counsel to senior university officials and the Board of Trustees on a wide range of legal and policy issues.
• Knowledge of the range of applicable laws and regulations which impact on all facets of university policy and operations including FERPA, HIPAA, and other federal laws.
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment with quick turnaround time.
• Ability to foster a cooperative and high performing work environment.
• Ability to develop and deliver presentations.
• Ability to analyze and interpret issues and to prepare legal opinions.
• Knowledge of faculty and/or staff employment policies, procedures, and union contracts.
• Knowledge of the judicial system and procedures.
• Knowledge of current and developing legal issues and trends in area of expertise.
• Negotiating skills.
• Knowledge of legal documentation procedures and requirements.
• Ability to develop and implement legal strategies and solutions.
• A staff member is expected to abide by all of the rules and regulations of the University, the NCAA and the NEC. Staff members found in violation of NCAA regulations shall be subject to disciplinary or corrective action as set forth in the provisions of the NCAA enforcement procedures.

Application materials must include a letter of application and resume that addresses qualificaitons and the names and contact information for three professional references (including email addresses).

Please email application materials to: VPGC@rmu.edu

For best consideration, applications should be received by March 22, 2013.

Exempt

Internal Application Deadline:  February 26, 2013

Anticipated Starting Date:  June 1, 2013

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