Position Summary:

William Paterson University's General Counsel is in charge of all University legal affairs, with overall responsibility for the vision and leadership of the University's legal strategy. Reporting to the President, as a valued member of the President's Cabinet, the General Counsel will provide legal advice and counsel to the President, Board of Trustees, and other members of the University community on a broad range of legal matters affecting the University. This position provides an excellent opportunity to serve as a trusted advisor on the senior leadership team.

William Paterson University is the third most diverse public university in New Jersey. As a longstanding member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), we have been designated by the US Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. The University offers more than 250 undergraduate and graduate academic programs that range from liberal arts and sciences to pre-professional and professional programs; it enrolls nearly 11,000 students from across the country and from over 40 nations. The University is situated on a beautiful, 370-acre suburban campus in Wayne, New Jersey, just twenty miles west of New York City. The University seeks excellence through diversity among its administrators, faculty, staff and students. The University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University's mission and values and as such prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status. Candidates from all underrepresented groups are welcome.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The General Counsel will have the following responsibilities and opportunities:

Institutional Leadership

Further develop and implement the vision for legal services in conjunction with the President and senior leadership, sharing best practices and recommendations for how to best execute legal services at William Paterson with an eye towards William Paterson's mission, institutional risk and ongoing support for academic initiatives and programs.

Attend all meetings of the University's Board of Trustees, report to the Board on legal matters and advise the Board with respect to University governance matters.

Serve as a strategic thought partner to the President, Board of Trustees and senior leadership on institutional objectives and priorities.

Anticipate issues and risk, sharing pertinent information and training with the President and senior leadership, as well as other relevant parties, including the Personnel Committee of the Board of Trustees.

Keep abreast of compliance/regulatory related changes and educate University constituents.

 

Direction and Coordination of Legal Matters

Provide general legal services and day to day advice to senior administration.

Draft and review contracts such as purchase, sales or services agreements, licenses, settlement agreements, releases, sponsored research agreements, construction contracts, and leases.

Advise with respect to internal dispute resolution and judicial proceedings such as student disciplinary matters and employee grievance and discipline matters.

Perform such other duties as the President may, from time to time, assign.

Building Relationships

Work, communicate and collaborate effectively with members of University senior leadership, Board of Trustees and others across William Paterson.

Develop a strong network of relationships inside and outside William Paterson to support the objectives of the legal function and the mission and business of William Paterson.

Establish and maintain relationship with counsel for other higher educational institutions and NJ Office of the Attorney General to discuss and stay abreast of areas of common concern and new developments.

Minimum Qualifications:

William Paterson University seeks an exceptionally accomplished attorney with a distinguished professional record. Candidates must be self-motivated and exhibit a passion for understanding and implementing the University's mission. In addition to serving as its attorney, the General Counsel will contribute in a meaningful way to the University's strategic plan and long term goals. In addition to possessing the requisite legal and technical skills, the successful candidate must approach this role as an experienced leader and demonstrate a high degree of strategic, conceptual and analytical thinking capabilities. This candidate will possess an understanding of and appreciation for a higher educational academic environment, the roles and relationships of faculty, staff and students, and the diverse needs of various constituents.

 

Required Education:

 

J.D. from an accredited law school and an excellent academic background.

Licensed to practice in New Jersey, or ability to attain licensure in NJ within one year.

Required Experience:

Minimum of 15 years of legal experience in roles of increasing responsibility, including experience in a leadership role preferably in an higher education environment, or in a law firm representing higher education organizations.

Knowledge of the major areas of law and issues affecting public higher education organizations, including commercial contracts, corporate transactions, tax, construction and real estate law, zoning issues, licensing, compliance, governance, litigation management, privacy and data protection, intellectual property, employment and labor law, environmental law, insurance law, faculty appointments and tenure, sponsored research, gift planning and athletics.

Personal Attributes and Traits:

Outstanding executive leadership skills with a proven ability to advise a successful, advancing institution.

Positive, professional and collaborative demeanor coupled with strong legal judgment in order to gain the confidence, trust and reliance of colleagues at William Paterson.

Demonstrated management experience with professionals and support staff, including a successful track record in management and people leadership with the capacity to lead, motivate and influence colleagues and/or other leaders.

Strategic thinker, able to anticipate issues and eliminate risks.

Strong, pragmatic business acumen with the ability to recognize the broader consequences of a course of action and its impact on the many stakeholders in the University.

Clear and concise written and oral communication skills with the ability to analyze, interpret, present, and communicate complex ideas and concepts in a clear, concise fashion.

Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate and interact effectively, presenting to large and small audiences.

Ability to work collaboratively and interact with diverse constituents and adapt communications to the audience.

High ethical standards, a strong moral compass, integrity, courage and perseverance.

A strong people orientation and sensitivity to cultural diversity.

A quick study, able to handle complex matters, with multiple initiatives going on simultaneously.

 

Remuneration:

The University offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, in addition to a comprehensive package of health and pension benefits, generous vacation and sick pay plans and tuition waiver for dependent children.

 

Invitation to apply:

Please click to apply for the position.

Interested candidates will be prompted to:

• Complete an application
• Submit a cover letter and resume
• Provide names/contacts of three professional references

Submission of all documents listed above is required for consideration.

 

If you have any general questions related to this search please email talent@wpunj.edu.

The application process will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

 

William Paterson University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer committed to diversity. Women, minorities, and members of under-represented groups are encouraged to apply.

 

Apply Here

PI104137368