Vice President, Legal Services & Risk Management

Vice President, Legal Services & Risk Management

Department: Legal Services

Location: District Administration

Reports To:  President

Recruitment Type:  External/Internal 

Requisition ID: req4427 

Employment Type: Administration and Professionals

Union Position: Non-Union

Work Schedule: Standard College Hours: M-F, 8:30am-5pm

Number of Openings:  1

Job Description:

 SUMMARY

The Vice President/General Legal Counsel serves as the College’s Chief Legal Officer. Works collaboratively with and serves as an advisor and counselor to the President, Executive Vice Presidents, and College Administrators on various legal issues.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

•          Establishes goals, approaches and strategies for the College in its legal and risk management affairs and manages their implementation
•          Works collaboratively with all college departments, assisting them in achieving their desired business goals
•          Oversees legal research and renders legal advice and opinions on a variety of issues
•          Represents the College in matters of personnel and cases filed against the College with administrative agencies including, but not limited to, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Ohio Civil Rights Commissions, and the U.S. Department of Education
•          Oversees and/or prepares position papers on legal matters for District administrators
•          Reviews and provides advice and counsel for grant applications
•          Coordinates activities and actions with external legal counsel retained to represent the College, ensuring the College receives the best possible service
•          Oversees and participates in Real Estate and lease transactions
•          Oversees and/or negotiates, drafts, reviews, and prepares contracts and other agreements between the College and other parties
•          Oversees and/or advises project financing, development and capital & construction contracts
•          Reviews and/or oversees the review of all new and revised College policies prior to submission to the Board
•          Serves as an advocate for the legal interests of the College
•          Minimizes the legal exposure of the College with regard to potential actions and claims, which might be entered against it
•          Keeps abreast of emerging legal issues that may have an impact on the District and advises management accordingly
•          Recommends operational changes necessitated by legislative mandates
•          Oversees Legal department, Risk Management, Institutional Equity, Internal Audit and Record Retention departments including recruiting, hiring, training and evaluation
•          Serves on College committees to provide recommendations regarding legal and risk management matters
•          Serves as a member of the President’s Cabinet and President’s Council
•          Performs other related duties as assigned

REQUIRED:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE/TRAINING

•          Juris Doctor

o   Significant related experience may substitute for education

•          Minimum of ten years of experience as a practicing attorney
•          Current member of the Ohio State Bar and licensed to practice law in the Federal and State courts of the State of Ohio
•          Experience directing and coordinating the work of other attorneys

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES

•          Proven ability to think strategically and take decisive action
•          Ability to facilitate top-level collaboration while managing sensitive issues
•          Ability to build and lead effective teams
•          Ability to build cooperative partnerships, both internally and externally
•          Demonstrated record of interacting and working collaboratively across functions, levels and departments toward shared objectives
•          Ability to effectively complete work assignments independently
•          Ability to deliver high performance outcomes while balancing the demands of multiple work streams
•          Ability to be creative and exercise initiative
•          Ability to effectively coordinate related events
•          Possess excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
•          Possess strong organizational and time-management skills
•          Ability to work accurately with great attention to detail
•          Ability to multi-task, adjust to changing priorities and respond appropriately to deadlines
•          Demonstrated intermediate project management skills
•          Demonstrated intermediate-level proficiency with Microsoft: Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
•          Ability to confidentially and discreetly handle subject matters requiring privacy and sensitivity
•          Ability to develop and maintain relationships with key contacts to enhance work flow and quality
•          Possess sensitivity to respond appropriately to the needs of a diverse population

COMPETENCIES

CRITICAL COMPETENCIES

•          Service Focus
•          Collaboration
•          Communications

VERY IMPORTANT COMPETENCIES

•          Time Utilization
•          Quality of Work

IMPORTANT COMPETENCIES

•          Adaptability
•          Continuous Improvement

PERFERRED:

(Or equivalent job-related experience providing the necessary knowledge, skill, and abilities to perform the functions of this position proficiently)

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE/TRAINING

•          Legal affairs experience in an educational or public sector institution
•          Experience dealing with a diverse clientele of administrators, legislative bodies, and boards within a large, complex government organization  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES

•           Working knowledge of business intelligence software

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS

(The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

•          The work is performed in a normal, professional office environment; 
•          The work area is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated;
•          The employee may sit comfortably to perform the duties of the job and may perform repetitive motions with hands/fingers using a computer mouse and keyboard to type.  However, there will be walking; standing; bending; stooping; and carrying of various items and equipment;
•          Work may also require walking and standing in conjunction with travel to and attendance at meetings and conferences away from the worksite

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Cuyahoga Community College is committed to attaining excellence through the recruitment and retention of a qualified and diverse workforce. Cuyahoga Community College is an equal employment/educational opportunity institution.

Special Instructions to Applicants: During the application process, you may be required to attach a cover letter and/or resume.  It is recommended that you have these documents ready to be attached electronically to the online application.  This system accepts only MS Word or PDF attachments.  Any employment with the College is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check and drug screen.

Affirmative Action Statement: Cuyahoga Community College is committed to attaining excellence through the recruitment and retention of a qualified and diverse workforce. Cuyahoga Community College is an equal employment/educational opportunity institution.