Associate General Counsel

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Job Summary:

The Associate General Counsel provides professional legal support and counsel to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The duties and responsibilities of the Associate General Counsel are to advise on, draft, and negotiate contracts; provide legal counsel to academic and administrative leaders; advise Institute leaders on legal risks and the terms of various deals; provide legal guidance on strategic partnerships; identify and advise on regulatory requirements and emerging legal issues impacting the Institute; perform pre-litigation work to minimize risks and maximize legal rights; and represent the Institute in the areas that include of corporate, physical property, intellectual property, commercial, real estate and new venture matters. The Associate General Counsel also serves as a legal center of expertise for data protection, privacy, and cybersecurity compliance, including ensuring that terms with vendors are appropriate for protection in these areas.

The Associate General Counsel reports to the General Counsel and Secretary of the Institute.

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Minimum Qualifications:

• J.D. from an accredited law school
• Be a member, or be able to become a member through petition, of the New York Bar
• 6 years of experience as a licensed attorney in a higher education, private law firm, or a non-profit or for-profit business organization
• Substantive experience in drafting and negotiating complex contracts

Applicants must meet stated minimum education and experience requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Substantive legal experience in matters relating to higher education, research-focused enterprise, or research-related government contracting is preferred
• Experience in legal matters relating to data protection, data privacy and/or cybersecurity is preferred
• Experience in litigation or risk management matters is also preferred

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must demonstrate an understanding of, and ability to provide, professional legal services in a variety of subject matter areas, including contracts, employment, commercial matters, and regulatory compliance
• Requires strong leadership skills and ability to communicate and interact with diverse groups of customers
• Requires strong legal acumen and judgment
• Requires strong skills in solution-oriented negotiation of complex contracts
• Requires effective customer service, resourcefulness and organizational skills
• Requires ability to effectively present information to internal and external groups and audiences
• Requires ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex regulations and documents, financial and business reports, and technical journals

Expected hiring range: $195,000 - $206,000

• The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.
• Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources.

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Benefits Summary:

• Premium/low-cost medical, dental, vision insurance (immediate eligibility, FSA available)
• Employer paid life insurance, STD, LTD, AD&D, travel insurance
• 403(b) Defined Contribution Plan; 1% employee (min) to 8% employer contribution
• Supplemental Retirement
• 90% Tuition Assistance (staff/spouse/children eligible, see policy)
• 16 Paid Holidays Generous PTO
• Employee Assistance Program
• Fitness Center access
• Automobile purchasing discounts (GM, Mercedes Benz, and more)
• Plus, much more!

Rensselaer is committed to the cultivation of a community that is welcoming, inclusive, and above all values learning. We welcome candidates who bring a variety of perspectives to Rensselaer’s work and campus communities. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or other characteristic protected by law.