Innovation Paralegal, Academic Affairs

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Position Summary:

Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) University College is seeking an enthusiastic and detail-oriented Innovation Paralegal to support the legal and administrative functions essential to the university's academic agreements and collaborations. As the Innovation Paralegal, you will report to the Academic Affairs Project Specialist and you will assist in reviewing, drafting, and managing a wide range of agreements that support VCU’s academic initiatives, both internally within the university and with external partners.

The successful candidate will assist in the creation and review of agreements that form the foundation for VCU’s academic partnerships, including experiential learning opportunities, research collaborations, interdisciplinary projects, and joint ventures with external institutions. You will work closely with VCU faculty, administrators, University Counsel, and external stakeholders to ensure that these agreements meet legal requirements, align with university policies, and support the strategic goals of VCU.

This position will assist in tracking, organizing, and ensuring compliance with these agreements, helping maintain an up-to-date inventory of contracts and compliance documents. Additionally, you will play a key role in assisting with audits and reviews of agreements to ensure proper execution, compliance with institutional policies, and alignment with best practices.

This role offers a unique opportunity to work in the area of academic law and compliance while supporting the growth and success of VCU’s academic mission. If you are looking to be part of a dynamic team that helps facilitate impactful academic agreements, and enjoy working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, this could be the perfect role for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in drafting, reviewing, and managing academic agreements, including those related to research partnerships, faculty collaborations, and interdisciplinary projects, both within VCU and with external partners. This includes supporting the review and negotiation of agreements to ensure compliance with university policies and legal requirements.
• Conduct legal research on academic policies, accreditation standards, and relevant laws affecting academic agreements and collaborations, providing legal support and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Maintain and manage an organized inventory system for academic contracts, compliance documents, and related agreements, ensuring that all documentation is up-to-date, properly filed, and easily accessible for review.
• Assist in performing compliance audits of academic agreements for units with Signature Authority from the Provost. You will help ensure that these agreements are properly executed, comply with university policies, and adhere to best practices.
• Collaborate with University Counsel and other units to facilitate the smooth execution of academic agreements, addressing any legal or procedural questions that arise.
• Assist in preparing materials for accreditation processes, institutional audits, and compliance reviews, ensuring that all necessary documentation is accurate, complete, and aligns with university standards.
• Support communication with faculty, students, and other stakeholders to clarify academic policies, procedures, and legal matters related to academic agreements.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive academic, legal, and institutional information, handling all documentation with discretion and care.
• Provide project management support and other coordination duties as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of a paralegal certificate program (or equivalent legal training) is required. Candidates with additional legal certifications or advanced degrees are encouraged to apply.

• Basic understanding of legal terminology and principles, preferably in the context of academic agreements, contracts, and institutional policies.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft clear, professional documents and communicate legal concepts in an accessible way.

• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills, particularly when reviewing documents and managing multiple agreements.

• Ability to prioritize tasks effectively and meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment.

• Basic research skills, with the ability to assist in conducting legal research on academic policies, compliance issues, and relevant laws.

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, showing initiative and contributing to a positive team environment.

• Discretion and integrity in handling confidential information, with a commitment to maintaining confidentiality and following university standards.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is a plus.

• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

hrssprovost@vcu.edu