What are the responsibilities and job description for the General Counsel and Senior Vice Chancellor position at University of Alabama System Office?

Job Summary : The General Counsel and Senior Vice Chancellor serves as chief legal counsel to the Board of Trustees (Board) of the University of Alabama System (UA System), which includes the University of Alabama, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and the UAB Health System. As the state's largest higher education and healthcare enterprise, the UA System collectively educates 70,000 students, conducts over $1 billion in research, serves millions of patients, and provides approximately 67,000 employment opportunities. The successful candidate will, therefore, advise the Board and fellow senior leadership on myriad legal matters in a complex, fast-paced environment. As an officer of the Board, the General Counsel is appointed by the Board and serves at its pleasure. The General Counsel reports administratively to the Chancellor, to whom the three university presidents report, and serves as a key member of the Chancellor's senior leadership team at the System Office, which coordinates among the component units of the UA System as appropriate and manages centralized System functions, including audit, legal, and external affairs.

Essential Duties

Provide quality legal representation and advice to the Board, senior leadership, and the universities and entities that comprise The University of Alabama System
Manage the Office of Counsel, which is comprised of approximately 28 attorneys and 12 legal support professionals
As authorized by the Board, prosecute and defend claims and engage all outside counsel as necessary to represent the University's interests

Other Duties

The position may be required to perform other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct reports include UA Chief University Counsel, UAB Chief University Counsel, UAH Chief University Counsel, System Counsel, and Director of Legal Operations

Minimum Qualifications

Graduate of an accredited school of law and licensed to practice law in the State of Alabama or become so licensed prior to the start date

At least 20 years of legal experience

Excellent academic credentials and legal reputation

Preferred Qualifications

Experience advising governing boards

Broad knowledge of legal issues related to higher education and healthcare, including without limitation statutory and regulatory compliance, employment, intercollegiate athletics, constitutional, intellectual property, corporate governance, real property, and research compliance

Experience working with senior management teams to solve complex problems

Experience managing a team of attorneys and legal support professionals

License and / or Certification requirements

Licensed to practice law in the State of Alabama or become so licensed prior to the start date

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies)

Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build trust and credibility with a broad range of stakeholders

Demonstrated ability to interact and influence at the most senior levels of the organization while working collaboratively, cooperatively, and strategically across all functions, levels, and departments

Physical Demands

Sedentary Work : involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.

Working Environment

The General Counsel will work primarily on-site at the UA System Office in Tuscaloosa and is expected to reside in Tuscaloosa, with occasional travel to other campuses or locations as required.

Note to applicant : Applications must include a cover letter, resume, and complete contact information for three professional references who will be contacted only with the candidate's permission. Final salary will be commensurate with the overall qualifications of the selected final candidate.

Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction before a hiring decision is made.

Equal Employment Opportunity : The University of Alabama System is an equal opportunity employer (EOE), including an EOE of protected vets and individuals with disabilities.

Application Deadline : 11 : 59p on Friday, March 14, 2025

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