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Requisition ID:  118177

Deputy General Counsel

We are seeking a Deputy General Counsel who will serve as a partner to the General Counsel, contributing to the vision and leadership of the University. Reporting to the General Counsel, this role will be a valued member of the leadership team and will work closely with the General Counsel to provide legal advice and counsel to the President, Board of Trustees, and other members of the University community on all significant legal matters. The Deputy General Counsel will collaborate with the General Counsel to set strategic goals, manage, and supervise the legal work within the office and oversee relationships with outside counsel.


The Deputy General Counsel will provide proactive legal advice to University staff and administration to navigate significant legal challenges. This role will lead a full range of experiences from routine to complex transactional projects. This individual will help strengthen University best practices by supporting the General Counsel in anticipating and responding to governance issues. The Deputy General Counsel will also provide legal support to senior administrators and perform the duties of the General Counsel as and when required; representing the General Counsel at meetings, or other bodies, as assigned.


Specific Duties & Responsibilities

  • Serve as a strategic thought partner and advisor to the General Counsel on critical legal issues that impact the University and its various constituencies.
  • Provide legal counsel and advice to University leadership on matters involving legal interpretation and decisions related to operations and policy questions.
  • Provide day-to-day advice and counsel regarding management of new and existing business projects and operational challenges.
  • Facilitate complex business transactions and strengthen best practices and good governance.
  • Participate in the definition and development of institutional policies, strategies, and major initiatives.
  • Provide strategic and ethical leadership and direction for all legal matters involving the University, including student, faculty, and staff affairs; regulatory and compliance issues; athletics; research and financial concerns; as well as all other legal matters that uniquely impact the University.
  • Coordinate with regulatory agencies and advise University leadership in navigating a complex regulatory environment. Keep abreast of compliance/regulatory related changes and educate University constituents on such changes.
  • Collaborate with multiple areas of the University to address issues and concerns with legal implications raised by students, faculty, staff, and the community.
  • Maintain professional growth and development through seminars, professional affiliations, and other means to keep abreast of developments in legal matters affecting the University’s activities and operations.
  • Assist in leading, managing, and overseeing all attorneys and professionals within the General Counsel’s office with an eye towards maintaining and enhancing the manner in which legal services are provided to ensure high caliber work and alignment with the President’s vision for the University.
  • Analyze current inventory of legal needs across the University, external legal resources currently in use and constituents currently engaging with legal counsel. Determine when external resources will be necessary and retain resources for legal assistance. Supervise and manage work performed by outside legal counsel.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.


Minimum Qualifications
  • J.D. from an accredited law school.
  • Must be licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction. If not licensed in Maryland, must be eligible for admission within twelve (12) months.


Required Experience

  • At least 10 years of experience providing legal counsel. Specifically, a solid understanding of matters related to higher education including: Labor and Employment Law; Risk Management; Anti-Discrimination Laws (Title VI, Title VII, Title IX); Compliance (ADA, VAWA, FERPA, and Clery); Contract Administration; Privacy and Information Security; Litigation and Investigations; Intellectual Property; Environmental Health and Safety; Construction and Real Estate; New Ventures; Faculty Appointments and Tenure; Research; Athletics; Student Affairs; and/or Academic Affairs.
  • Demonstrated leadership and management experience with professionals and support staff, including a successful track record in management and people leadership with the capacity to lead and motivate colleagues and other leaders confronting change and increased expectations in a highly visible organization.
  • Demonstrated superior intellect and judgment, with the ability to think critically and effectively communicate well-reasoned decisions; ability to see and handle more than the legal issues of a project; strong, pragmatic business acumen with the ability to recognize the broader consequences of a course of action and its impact on the many stakeholders; a strategic and innovative thinker who can bring value and find creative solutions to complex legal issues.
  • Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond HS Diploma/Graduation Equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.


Preferred Qualifications
  • At least 5 years of experience providing legal counsel within higher education.
  • Experience serving in a prominent leadership role and working effectively with various constituencies in a highly complex, matrixed environment is a clear advantage.
  • Strong governance experience.


Personal Traits and Attributes

  • Significant legal experience advising smart and exacting clients.
  • Superior legal negotiating, drafting, and presentation skills.
  • Organized self-starter with strong work ethic and a “can do” attitude; a quick study with ability to manage deadlines.
  • Ability to work proactively collaboratively and cooperatively, and as a member of a team, while empowering internal clients and colleagues and emphasizing accountability.
  • The stature, maturity, competence, and confidence to operate with credibility at the executive level and trustee level, as well as a professional history of maintaining objectivity while driving appropriate outcomes, managing multiple stakeholder agendas, and promoting high client service standards.
  • Intellectually and conceptually nimble as well as creative with the ability to analyze, interpret, present, and communicate complex ideas and concepts in a clear, concise fashion.
  • Proven experience leading, motivating, and inspiring others.
  • Proven ability to manage effectively in a matrix environment and contribute to cross-functional efforts.
  • Absolute integrity, a strong character, a positive attitude, and a sense of humor.
  • Gravitas, judgment, and self-confidence, but also humility, deference, respect for others, and willingness to work as a team member.
  • Superior intellect, with the ability to think critically and make clear and well-reasoned decisions in complex and ambiguous situations
  • Strong organizational skills, a flexible work style and schedule, and the ability to simultaneously manage multiple challenging projects in a demanding work environment.
  • Strategic and innovative thinker who can bring value to his or her clients and find creative solutions to complex legal problems.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate (both orally and in written form) in order to engender trust, confidence and respect from academics, scientists, doctors, lawyers, business and finance leaders, members of government bodies, and senior institutional officials, and that demonstrate cognizance and respect of mission-driven organizations. and interact effectively, presenting to large and small audiences, significant decision makers, Boards, and employees.

Please be aware that our employment offer is contingent upon the successful completion of our pre-employment process, including criminal background, education, employment, and reference checks. This will require you and your references to answer questions regarding substantiated findings of serious misconduct.

 

The expected base pay salary range for this position is $360,000 - $470,000 Annually (Commensurate with experience)

 

Total Rewards
The referenced base salary range represents the low and high end of Johns Hopkins University’s salary range for this position. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. Exact salary will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may include the successful candidate's geographic location, skills, work experience, market conditions, education/training and other qualifications. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/.

Education and Experience Equivalency
Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines: JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.

Applicants Completing Studies
Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.

Background Checks
The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate's conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion.

Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

EEO is the Law
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf

Accommodation Information
If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit https://accessibility.jhu.edu/.

Vaccine Requirements
Johns Hopkins University strongly encourages, but no longer requires, at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine does not apply to positions located in the State of Florida. We still require all faculty, staff, and students to receive the seasonal flu vaccine. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. This change does not apply to the School of Medicine (SOM). SOM hires must be fully vaccinated with an FDA COVID-19 vaccination and provide proof of vaccination status. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

The following additional provisions may apply, depending upon campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.
The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.
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