Position Base: Oakland
Location: UCOP - Franklin Building

UC OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

At the University of California (UC), your contributions make a difference. A world leader producing Nobel and Pulitzer prize recipients with over 150 years of groundbreaking research transforming the world. Choose a career where you can leverage your knowledge, skills and aspirations to inspire and support some of the greatest minds in the world, and those who will follow in their footsteps. Working at the University of California is being part of a unique institution, and a vibrant and diverse community. At the University of California, Office of the President, we propel our mission through impactful work locally, in government centers and systemwide. We are passionate people, serving the greater good.

The University of California, one of the largest and most acclaimed institutions of higher learning in the world, is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research and public service. The University of California Office of the President is the headquarters to the 10 campuses, six academic medical centers and three national laboratories and enrolls premier students from California, the nation and the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

UC Legal - Office of the General Counsel (UCL) provides legal services to the university's 10 campuses, five medical centers, and three affiliated national laboratories, including representation, advice, research and training. We also provide legal opinions to the Board of Regents, administration, faculty, staff and others acting on the university's behalf. We report jointly to the Board of Regents and the President. The Education Affairs and Governance group handles a wide variety of issues involving students, faculty, and academic life, such as admissions, fees, financial aid, housing, student conduct, research compliance, conflicts of interest, governance, faculty, and Academic Senate matters.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel - Education Affairs, Employment and Governance, this Managing Counsel position will supervise a team of in-house counsel in the Education Affairs or Governance practice areas, and also provides direct client service. These practice groups handle a broad range of issues including, but not limited to, free speech, academic freedom, admissions, financial aid, student conduct, FERPA, Title IX, Clery, public records, conflict of interest, and Regents bylaws and policies. The Managing Counsel serves as a resource to subordinates on highly complex legal matters or problems in the assigned practice areas; advises and renders opinions to senior management with respect to the legal implications of establishing or changing policy; works with representatives of the campus on developing and modifying practices and procedures to conform with legal requirements; and leads and/or supports administrative or management initiatives within UC Legal. The Managing Counsel: assists the Deputy General Counsel of EAEG in the day-to-day operations of the practice group and the development of its strategic plans and budgets; serves as a member of the OGC leadership team; provides direct supervision over lawyers working in the Oakland UC Legal office and leads recruitment and retention efforts.

Responsibilities

50% Leadership and Supervision

• Manages OGC attorneys to achieve high quality work products from each individual and meet departmental service expectations. Provides an environment of individual growth and career development, recognizing and utilizing skills of others through clear, specific and timely performance feedback; recruits, mentors and retains talented employees; provides effective coaching, delegates effectively and rewards superior performance.
• Participates and collaborates in long range strategic direction for OGC initiatives, programs and services.
• Establishes the strategic goals and objectives for legal service areas under his/her purview, in support of OGC strategic goals.
• Adheres to University principles of transparency and openness in working with all constituents.
• Inspires and develops creative and innovative approaches to addressing challenges and problems.
• Seeks to determine whether programs and activities add value to the work of the University. Drives change initiatives by defining measurable outcomes, energizing others at all levels and ensuring continuing commitment when faced with new initiatives; confronts and works through concerns of various stakeholders.
• Develop clear, written performance goals and objectives annually for direct reports and contribute to the development of same for all members of the legal staff.
• Provide oral feedback to direct reports regarding progress toward goals and objectives throughout the performance review cycle.
• Provide coaching, counseling and corrective action plans as needed.
• Monitor workload of team and direct reports; evaluate client service, resource capacity and legal practice needs.
• Provide recommendations for the merit, equity, retention and award process (performance evaluation and monetary remuneration)
• Provide proactive and consistent contributions and leadership for OGC projects and initiatives.
• Proactively contribute to strategic planning for the section.
• Ensure that direct reports provide contributions for projects and initiatives.
• Practice OGC's established Values for Principles of Community: collaborative, supportive, respectful of differences, and committed to fairness and diversity in all interactions, both within and outside the team.
• Demonstrate an active and engaged commitment to diversity, establishing a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for diversity of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or status as a covered veteran in the University.
• Ensure equal opportunity in search and recruitment process by ensuring diverse representation on search committees, supplemental outreach efforts, etc., and promote equity in advancements by describing review process for new staff and encouraging participation in career advising or mentoring programs, etc.
• Understand that safety and environmental issues are essential elements of ensuring the continued success of UC and its employees, and maintain a safe, healthy and environmentally sound workplace.

50% Client Service

• Provides direct client service.
• Understands that UC is a large, complex organization with many clients.
• Serve directly as legal specialist and be relied upon for high quality, timely, relevant, and solution-oriented counsel including research, writing, advice and advocacy.
• Serve as a trusted strategic partner with University business units, providing practical advice and alternative solutions to business issues.
• May directly negotiate matters on behalf of The Regents.
• Demonstrate and promote appropriate risk tolerance.
• Prioritize objectives and ensure service according to those priorities.
• Keep informed on legislation and case law developments affecting overall operations of the University or the legal practice area.
• Render opinions to The Regents and senior management with respect to the legal implications of establishing or changing policy or taking certain courses of action.
• Practice OGC's established Values for Principles of Community: collaborative, supportive, respectful of differences, and committed to fairness and diversity in all interactions, both within and outside the team.

Experience

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in a law firm, public agency or academic setting. Experience should include work in at least one of the following areas: student affairs, civil rights/anti-discrimination, academic research compliance, board governance, and/or public accountability laws such as conflicts of interest or public records.

Skills and Abilities

Required Qualifications

• Outstanding interpersonal skills to interact effectively and develop and maintain productive working relationships with an array of diverse interests, individuals, and constituencies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Judgment, tact and diplomacy to partner with senior teams to help them achieve their strategic objectives.
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate clearly, logically, and persuasively during interactions and utilize active listening skills.
• Exceptional ability to draft accurate, complete and persuasive legal documents, such as pleadings, legal responses, affidavits, position statements and briefs.
• Demonstrated understanding of highly complex legal issues in a University setting.
• Proven ability to maintain confidentiality with regard to sensitive issues and information and exercise discretion in dealing with sensitive or potentially sensitive topics.
• Demonstrated commitment to the highest ethical standards.
• Previous management or supervisory experience and / or significant project management experience.
• Demonstrated ability to act as a team player in all circumstances, as defined by contributing to the successful outcome of initiatives, accountabilities, and operations of others.
• Exceptional ability to represent institutional concerns persuasively to internal and external parties.
• Outstanding written skills as defined by the ability to compose a variety of concise, informative written materials appropriate to a particular audience.
• Outstanding skills in the ability to lead by influence and consensus.

Education

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in related area

Licenses and Certifications

Required Qualifications

• Must be in good standing in the California State Bar. (Out-of-state hire would be afforded time to pass the Bar within a reasonable period).

Travel Requirements

• 5% Occasional business travel.
  
  

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

The person hired will be required to reside within California and report to work on-site at UC's Office of the President (UCOP) located in Oakland, CA on a regular basis. Current policy requires that a new employee work on-site at least two days a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays ("anchor days").

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Job Title: Managing Counsel 3
Job Code: 000203
Salary Grade: Grade 31

Payscale: $290,000 - $320,000, commensurate with experience
Full Salary Range: $210,700 - $437,500

The University of California, Office of the President, is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary range shows the growth potential for this position and the pay scale is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position.

Benefits: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

HOW TO APPLY

Please be prepared to attach a cover letter and resume with your application.

APPLICATION REVIEW DATE

The first review date for this job is May 6, 2024. The position will be open until filled.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check Process: Successful completion of a background check is required for this critical position.

Smoke Free Work Environment: The University of California, Office of the President, is smoke & tobacco-free as of January 1, 2014.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California , as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

EEO STATEMENT

The University of California, Office of the President, is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

The University of California, Office of the President, strives to make this job board accessible to any and all users. If you have comments regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us at: or email the Human Resource Department at: .

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