Description

Description
Reporting directly to the President and as a member of the President’s Cabinet, the Vice President, General Counsel, and Director of Government Affairs will provide legal advice and support to the Board of Trustees, President, senior leadership, administrators, faculty, and staff. This position will serve on key university teams and committees related to risk, safety, and policy creation as well as serve as the designee to higher education associations.  Additionally, this position will serve as liaison with federal, local and state governmental agencies for the coordination of University activities and outreach to government, elected officials, and other relevant entities or agencies that deal with the University.   This position will take the lead on advising the President on any relevant appointments to state and municipal public bodies.  This position will direct all legal matters, including those that involve external legal counsel, and any government engagement efforts by the university.  As a trusted advisor and strategic business partner, this key role will provide sound guidance on legal issues and on the legal aspects of business, public policy, statutory and regulatory compliance, real estate, construction and other matters affecting the university and higher education as a whole, including assisting with fostering key business or government relationships critical to university needs.  Many issues, such as academic freedom, sponsored research, shared governance, and student rights and obligations, are unique to the academic environment and add complexity to the more traditional and predictable legal and business issues encountered by any complex organization.  

Examples of Duties

Legal

• Serves as the primary subject matter expert and advisor to the Board of Trustees, President and senior leadership on legal matters. Ensures legal issues and concerns are brought to the attention of the appropriate members of administration.
• Serves as the primary architect for the development, review and revision of legal documents, resolutions, Board Policies and Administrative Procedures, including presentation to the Board of Trustees.
• Works with all stakeholders to ensure that all policies and procedures are up-to-date, timely, and effectively represent their interests and the interests of the university.
• Manages legal matters including, but not limited to: contracts, employment discrimination, real estate, construction/zoning, non-profit corporation laws, litigation, business transactions, charitable giving, tenure issues, grants and intellectual property.
• Responds to any threatened litigation and drafts any necessary correspondence in an attempt to resolve disputes pre-litigation.
• Provides counsel and advice concerning compliance with state and federal regulations affecting institutions of higher education.
• Advise the risk manager and other departments regarding any other regulatory compliance issues.
• Manages the selection, retention and engagement of outside legal counsel and experts. Acts as the primary liaison to coordinate and manage the work assigned to external legal firms, including developing and communicating scope of work, ensuring timely feedback, interpreting legal opinions, and reviewing and approving legal billings.
• Attends and/or coordinates attendance of required parties at administrative hearings, settlement conferences, depositions, trials, arbitrations, and mediations in connection with open claims and litigations.
• Advises and briefs the President and the Board on governance policy and practice including potential or apparent conflicts of interest.
• Provides reports of activities periodically to the President and the Board.
• Assists with risk management, including managing the investigation, evaluation, and resolution of potential and actual legal disputes including, regulatory, governmental, and highly sensitive matters, both litigated and non-litigated.
  Provides guidance and assistance to the Office of Human Resources in various areas, including Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Equal Opportunity Employment (EEO), sexual harassment, gender and sexual orientation sensitivity, discrimination, retaliation, and other human resources compliance issues.
• Provides guidance and assistance of the Office of Accessible Education (OAE) regarding accommodations and any complaints or grievances.
• Provides guidance and assistance to the Office of the Provost regarding faculty complaints, grievances, employment and training matters.
• Conducts in-service training programs and workshops regarding various legal laws and regulations (e.g. Sexual Harassment, Title IX, ADA).
• Manages departmental budget, including fees for external consultants and experts.
• Serves as a member on various university committees that impact risk and safety on the university campus (e.g., Threat Assessment Team, BIT, EPT).
• Advise Title IX coordinator and Director of Student Conduct regarding any investigations and procedural processes.
  Identify any training opportunities that may assist in minimizing legal risks.

Governmental Affairs

• Develops and maintains effective relations with federal, state and local government and other agencies and organizations.
• Establishes and maintains government relations, public relations and liaison efforts with selected government agencies and legislators, as directed.
• Disseminates governmental grant and contract proposals for faculty and non-faculty,providing information of potential funding opportunities.
• Collaborates with various educational organizations to promote and enhance private postsecondary education.
• Represents Loyola at local community based and service organizations.
• Advises the President on nominations to state and municipal bodies and acts as the President’s designee related to such nominating processes.
• Attends and participates in state legislative sessions, as needed.
• Tracks and monitors all state legislation and engages with relevant external partners to ensureuniversity compliance and engagement on legislation.
• Actively engage with federal legislators on critical higher education issues.
• Represents the university with relevant higher education associations and collaborates withthose associations and other partners across the nation on critical higher education issues.
• Identify opportunities for the President to engage effectively with government entities andelected officials.
• Identify potential federal or state funding opportunities and work to pursue funding.

Departmental Oversight

• Provides oversight for the Department of Human Resources with the Director of Human Resources as a direct report.

Additional Responsibilities: 

• Participate on additional university committees and multi-disciplinary teams, as appropriate and requested.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

Typical Qualifications
 

• Minimum Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school. Licensed and in good standing as an attorney in a U.S. state with licensure in the State of Louisiana strongly preferred.
• Able to become licensed in Louisiana within 1 year of hire, if necessary.
• Minimum of 8 years’ experience practicing law.
• Proven ability to build teams, advance mission, and work collaboratively with the President's leadership team, Board of Trustees, Deans, and Department Chairs, across divisional boundaries.
• Ability to analyze and make sound recommendations on complex management and administrative issues, including identifying alternative practical solutions, projecting consequences of proposed actions, and making recommendations aligned with the University’s goals and mission.
• Superior interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to work well with a broad range of stakeholders.  
• Strong influencing skills.
• Ability to anticipate needs and pivot successfully and appropriately while balancing competing priorities.
• Experience with government and/or government relations.

Additional Desirable Qualifications:

• Prior supervisory experience.
• Experience in higher education.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to complete job duties with or without reasonable accommodations.
   

In accordance with the Campus Security Act as amended, Loyola University publishes annually and distributes to members of the academic community, and upon request to prospective (students/employees), an annual security report.  That report includes current policies and procedures of the University Police Department for the reporting of campus crimes, notifying the campus community of occurrence of campus crimes, policies regarding access to campus buildings, the enforcement authority of the University Police Officers and their relationship to local police.  University policies on the possession, use and sale of alcohol and illegal drugs are outlined. The Campus sexual Assault Program and policy is described.  Campus crime statistics as defined under this law for the last three calendar years are included.  A copy of this report may be secured from the (Office of Admissions), (Office of Human Resources), or from the University Police Department. 

Loyola University New Orleans does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran's status or national origin in its educational programs or activities, including employment and admissions. At the same time, Loyola cherishes its right to seek and retain personnel who will make a positive contribution to its religious character, goals, and mission in order to enhance the Jesuit, Catholic tradition.