MCPHS seeks an experienced strategic partner to serve as Chief Legal Officer, responsible for providing legal counsel to and representation for the University. As lead attorney, the Chief Legal Officer works in collaboration with senior leaders across the University, seeking to understand their challenges and needs, providing counsel and advice, and strategizing on issues of importance to the University. The successful candidate will be comfortable with ambiguity, demonstrate flexibility in problem solving and decision making, take a proactive approach to addressing matters, and work collaboratively and in partnership with other members of the Legal Affairs team, outside counsel, and various University leaders and stakeholders on legal and compliance matters. The position will report to the President.
• Provide strategic guidance, consultation, and support to the President, Provost, senior leaders, and managers on a comprehensive range of legal and associated issues involved in carrying out the mission of the University.
• Anticipate and identify legal issues and counsel management in order to develop legal strategies and solutions, often in situations of risk or significance.
• Evaluate strategies and approaches to managing and mitigating risk at the University while also ensuring compliance.
• Recognize the different functions of the institution that are centrally administered and those that are de-centralized, and be capable of influencing and informing both directly and through others.
• Work closely with Academic Affairs, Human Resources, Student Affairs, the Business Office, Research, and other areas that manage compliance to provide support and guidance.
• Work up, down, and across functions, departments, schools and campuses.
• Develop a deep understanding of the mission and goals of the institution and to be able to provide broad strategic counsel.
• Support the University in building a culture of compliance, and work closely the Compliance Strategic Priority Team to evaluate and manage areas of risk in collaboration with schools and departments.
• Assist with policy and procedure review, revision and distribution as assigned.
• Assess and expand on the culture within Legal Affairs, present a progressive, collaborative, and partnering style in its approach.
• Act as a catalyst toward promoting and effectively enabling business and community-partnerships, fostering a culture of innovative and progressive practice in the areas of legal, compliance, regulatory, and public safety policy matters.
• Plan, develop and manage budgets for legal programs. Recommend and/or make budgetary and resource allocations.
• Review and help manage administration of significant contracts and agreements.
• Assist with the administration of corporate governance matters.
• Prepare corporate filings as necessary.
• Assist when needed with government investigations and inquiries.
• Work with outside counsel as necessary on legal matters that arise.
• Contributes to sustaining and enhancing an inclusive working and learning environment
• Others duties as assigned.
Required:
• J.D. Degree with at least 10 years of legal experience as a practicing attorney.
• License in good standing to practice law.
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
• Understanding of state and federal laws related to the protection of electronic records and information and ability to develop, coordinate and communicate activities related to same.
• Skill in applying collected data to format recommendations and resolve problems. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to perform multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities in a positive and professional manner.
• Strong interpersonal/human relations skills; ability to develop, maintain and coordinate effective working relationships with various constituencies both internally and externally.
• Experience resolving conflict between groups with opposing perspectives, agendas, or priorities.
• Skill in preparing and presenting effective written and oral reports, recommendations and opinions.
• Ability to represent the Institution in a positive and professional manner.
• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Ability to develop and implement creative solutions, and gain buy-in from stakeholders in the Community.
Preferred:
• Previous experience in higher education setting, or serving as outside counsel to a higher education institution, and professional understanding of legal issues involving student affairs, student services, anti-discrimination law, contract law, employment law and other areas pertinent to institutional operations and compliance.
• Working knowledge of FERPA, HIPAA, and other state and federal laws protecting personal information and electronic records.
• Member of the Massachusetts state bar association in good standing.
Physical Requirements:
• Typical office or administrative working conditions. Staff is not exposed to adverse environmental conditions. Work is primarily sedentary in nature; there are no special physical demands.
Apply
Please attach a cover letter and a curriculum vitae/resume. Finalist candidate(s) for this position will be subject to reference checks and a pre-employment background check as a condition of employment.
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. MCPHS is unable to sponsor, or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa. MCPHS is also not an E-Verify institution.
About Us
Established in 1823, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) is the oldest institution of higher education in Boston, a city that is home to many of the world’s top universities and healthcare institutions. We are one of the largest and most highly-ranked schools for health- and life-sciences, and our alumni and faculty continually distinguish themselves in healthcare settings around the globe. MCPHS has more than 7000 students across campuses in Boston’s Longwood Medical and Academic Area (LMA), downtown Worcester, MA and downtown Manchester, NH. Our vision is to empower our Community to create a healthier, more equitable world, which we strive to achieve through our strategic priorities of collaboration, inclusion, success, sustainability, planning, and support.
We offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits that include a substantial contribution toward the cost of medical, vision, and dental insurance, generous time off, retirement and pension plans, and flexible work arrangements to support work/life balance for our employees while supporting the MCPHS strategic plan.
MCPHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer that celebrates a diverse community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.
