Vice President and General Counsel

23-Feb-2024

Office of the General Counsel

65130BR

Job Summary

Harvard University (“Harvard”) seeks an accomplished and visionary leader to serve in the critically important role of Vice President and General Counsel. The Vice President and General Counsel (“GC”) serves as the Chief Legal Officer for the University and the Harvard Corporation (“Corporation”) and reports directly to the President.  **Please note that Korn Ferry has been exclusively retained for this engagement.   See more details below on how to apply.**

The Vice President and General Counsel leads a team of talented professionals who provide legal counsel and representation to the University and its schools, divisions, units, affiliates, and related entities on the broad range of legal matters affecting the University. The Office of General Counsel serves the Corporation, the President, officers, administrators, faculty, and staff in their official capacities. The Vice President and General Counsel is also responsible for hiring and managing outside counsel to represent the University in a broad array of matters, ranging from legislative and regulatory inquiries, academic integrity, freedom of speech and inquiry, research compliance, trademark protection, labor and employment law, ethics and conflicts of interest, privacy and data protection, real estate transactions, contracts and grants, tax law, liability and insurance, public monies and purchases, and a wide range of other areas affecting student, faculty and staff well-being, from affirmative action to Title IX and beyond.
The Office of the General Counsel is tasked to provide the highest quality legal services to the University in a responsible, constructive, strategic, ethical, and timely manner; to protect and promote the mission and values of the University, including compliance with its obligations and protection and promotion of its interests; to minimize legal risks and costs; and to address and resolve legal disputes. Consistent with the mission and best interests of the University, including its duties to follow the law and meet its obligations to the public, governments and third parties, the lawyers in the Office of General Counsel strive to be problem solvers; to engage in strategic thinking with the University’s decision makers; to defend the interests of the University and its constituents; to protect and promote integrity and ethical conduct; to practice preventive law.
As trusted advisor to the Corporation, President, officers, faculty and staff, in the context of the heightened social, political, and philanthropic scrutiny currently faced by the University, the role of the General Counsel takes on a higher level of participation, in partnership with stakeholders in the Center and the Schools, in the design, communication, and implementation of University-wide decisions and goals, and risk management activities and objectives. The General Counsel will be relied upon to provide wise strategic counsel on issues of the highest risk in the legal and political arenas as well as in the court of public opinion across the breadth of the University’s operations

Position Description

Harvard University's Office of the General Counsel (“OGC”) is responsible for all the legal work arising from the activities of Harvard’s Faculties and departments. The mission of the OGC is to render timely and thoughtful advice on the broad range of legal issues that the University, its faculty, and administrators confront on behalf of the University.

The OGC is headed by the Vice President and General Counsel who has overall responsibility for directing the University’s legal affairs. Day-to-day management is provided by the Administrative Coordinator, themselves a University Attorney. The Deputy General Counsel handles the assignment of matters and the long-range planning of legal services. The Office also has a Department Administrator who coordinates support staff and provides other administrative support for the thirteen University Attorney and three Associate Attorneys who constitute the OGC’s legal team. While this is the current composition of the OGC, the incoming General Counsel will be relied upon to assess the organizational structure of the Office and determine whether the current staffing levels and organization of work is properly equipped to satisfy current and foreseeable legal needs of the University and its affiliates.

The Office is organized on the model of a small law firm. Each University Attorney is both a generalist capable of handling a wide variety of legal matters and a specialist with expertise in distinct disciplines. Attorneys and legal assistants work as a team, consulting with their colleagues within the Office and with outside counsel as appropriate. Most areas of practice are staffed by more than one attorney, so that the Office can respond promptly to client needs.

In addition to overseeing matters arising in the areas of the law outlined above, the OGC partners with multiple stakeholders across the University’s Central Administration (e.g., Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology) and with leadership in the Schools in the formulation and promulgation of sound governance practices, policies, and procedures.

To see a detailed job description  (including key responsibilities, desired skills and competencies),  please visit the Korn Ferry Website at:   https://kfopportunities.loop.jobs/go/ext/ERTEA0/242

Basic Qualifications

Candidates should hold a Juris Doctorate degree from a law school approved for accreditation by the American Bar Association; be a member in good standing of the Bar of the state in which they practice and have eligibility for such standing in Massachusetts. They are expected to have at least fifteen years of experience as an attorney practicing in a relevant area of the law and should have attained a position of senior responsibility in a university law department, law firm, government agency, corporation, or entity of comparable complexity. 

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Experience as the general counsel to an organization or in the service of an organization is preferred, but not required.

Additional Information

Procedure for Application:

Korn Ferry has been exclusively retained for this engagement. The review of candidates will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Salary and benefits are internationally competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.To ensure full consideration, inquiries, nominations, and applications should be submitted electronically in confidence, to:
[email protected]

Harvard University regrets that it cannot provide Visa Sponsorship for this position.

Work Format Details

This is a hybrid position that is based in Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards ) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function

General Administration

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

361090 Administrative Manager

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Department

Vice President and General Counsel

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening

Credit, Criminal, Education, Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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