Position Information

Posting NumberSRGV8073

Working TitleCHIEF LEGAL OFFICER

Number of Vacancies1

LocationRio Grande Valley

DepartmentOfc of Executive Vice President

FTE1

FLSAExempt

Scope of Job

To provide expert, professional legal advice, counsel, and support to the President, the executive leadership team, and other administrators of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in support of its academic, clinical, research, and operational enterprises.

Description of Duties

• Provide expert legal advice and assistance on a full array of issues related to a public institution of higher education including without limitation: employment, healthcare (regulatory and transactional), sponsored research, risk management, conflicts of interest, FERPA , HIPAA , finance, administrative law, civil rights, real property, procurement, student affairs, business transactions, intellectual property, athletics, public information, and governance.

• The Chief Legal Officer has direct oversight for high-risk areas. Because of this responsibility, it is expected and required of the Chief Legal Officer to have direct access to the university president and designee(s). This access is to ensure that the university president is aware of high-risk areas and is made aware of crises in a timely manner and is kept up-to-date on responses to same.

• Work closely with the UT System Vice Chancellor and General Counsel, who has overall responsibility for the legal affairs of UT System and its institutions.

• Consult with subject-matter experts and litigators in the UT System Office of General Counsel and the Texas Attorney General’s Office.

• In coordination with the UT System Office of General Counsel and the Texas Attorney General’s Office, provide litigation support in lawsuits against the University.

• Assist in representation of the University in administrative hearings.

• Prepare, interpret, and review legal policies and documents, including the Handbook of Operating Procedures ( HOP ).

• Conduct legal research regarding compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, including Regents’ Rules.

• Subject to the authority of the UT System Vice Chancellor and General Counsel to approve all settlements of disputes, claims and litigation, mediates and negotiates settlements. ·

• Serve as the institutional liaison to the UT System Office of General Counsel at UT System. · Work closely with the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects on matters regarding commercialization, start-ups, and conflicts of interest.

• Train faculty and staff on various legal matters, including issues regarding conflicts of interest and compliance.

• Research, monitor, and analyze legislation and public policy issues and advise the President on the potential impact.

• Serve as the designated ethics official for the university.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Supervision Received

Minimal general supervision from assigned supervisor.

Supervision Given

Supervises assigned employees, if any.

Required Education

Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and admission to the Texas Bar.

Preferred Education

N/A

Licenses/Certifications

None.

Required Experience

• Ten (10) years of experience in the practice of law.

• Experience practicing law in a higher education setting.

• The understanding and appreciation that the University’s primary missions of education and research, and the professionals who execute on those missions, will be the Chief Legal Officer’s primary focus and clients.

• Experience that demonstrates the ability to work effectively with high-level officials and executives in government, business, and educational organizations.

• Demonstrated legal and ethical stature, maturity, competence and confidence to operate with credibility at the executive level, as well as a professional history of maintaining objectivity while driving appropriate outcomes, managing multiple stakeholder agendas, and promoting high client service standards.

• Intellectual and conceptual flexibility and creativity, with the ability to analyze, interpret, present, and write about complex ideas and concepts in a clear, concise fashion. ·

• The natural ability to rapidly prioritize as well as execute while exhibiting a sense of urgency, superb judgment, compassion, wisdom and a sense of humor.

• Experience as private or public sector in-house counsel.

• Experience supervising employees.

• Experience practicing law in the healthcare industry and/or on behalf of a health-related institution.

Preferred Experience

• Experience practicing law in a higher education setting.

• The understanding and appreciation that the University’s primary missions of education and research, and the professionals who execute on those missions, will be the Chief Legal Officer’s primary focus and clients.

• Experience that demonstrates the ability to work effectively with high-level officials and executives in government, business, and educational organizations.

• Demonstrated legal and ethical stature, maturity, competence and confidence to operate with credibility at the executive level, as well as a professional history of maintaining objectivity while driving appropriate outcomes, managing multiple stakeholder agendas, and promoting high client service standards.

• Intellectual and conceptual flexibility and creativity, with the ability to analyze, interpret, present, and write about complex ideas and concepts in a clear, concise fashion.

• The natural ability to rapidly prioritize as well as execute while exhibiting a sense of urgency, superb judgment, compassion, wisdom and a sense of humor.

• Experience as private or public sector in-house counsel.

• Experience supervising employees.

• Experience practicing law in the healthcare industry and/or on behalf of a health-related institution.

Equipment

Standard office equipment.

Working Conditions

Needs to be able to successfully perform all required duties. Work is performed in office environment.

Other

Advanced written and oral communication skills. Requires some evening and/or weekend work and travel.

Physical Capabilities

N/A

Employment CategoryFull-Time

Minimum SalaryCommensurate with Experience

Posted SalaryCommensurate with Experience

Position Available Date02/20/2025

Grant Funded PositionNo

If Yes, Provide Grant Expiration Date

Posting Detail Information

EEO Statement

It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to promote and ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or protected veteran status. In accordance with the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, our University is committed to comply with all government requirements and ensures non-discrimination in its education programs and activities, including employment. We encourage women, minorities and differently abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Dear Applicant,

Human Resources will not be held responsible for redacting any confidential information from the documents you attach with your application. The confidential information includes the following:

Date of Birth

Gender

*Ethnicity/Race

Please make sure that you omit this information prior to submission. We are advising that Human Resources will be forwarding your application to the department as per your submission. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley reserves the right to discontinue accepting applications prior to the stated close date of this position, after meeting the posting requirement of three (3) calendar days.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at (956) 665-2451 and/or careers@utrgv.edu.

Additional Information

UTRGV is a distributed location institution and working location is subject to change based on need.

All UTRGV employees are required to have a criminal background check ( CBC ). Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Substitutions to the above requirements must have prior approval from the VP of HR & Talent Development .

Quick Linkhttps://careers.utrgv.edu/postings/46067

Posting Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • Are you now, or previously, employed by The University of Texas System or any of its institutions?

• Yes - I currently am employed by the UT System or its institutions

• Yes - I have previously been employed by the UT System or its institutions

• No - I have never been employed by the UT System or its institutions

• • Are you a current UTRGV employee?

• Yes

• No

• Please select your highest level of completed education.

• 6th grade education

• 10th grade education

• High School Diploma or GED

• Associates Degree, Technical, or Trade School Degree/Certification or 60 Hours of College Hours

• Bachelors Degree from an accredited university

• Masters Degree from an accredited university

• Ph. D. or other terminal degree from an accredited university

• None of the above

• Please provide the field of study for your education:

(Open Ended Question)

• Do you meet the minimum requirements for this position?

• Yes

• No

• Please indicate the number of years of work experience you have directly related to the position in which you are applying for:

• Less than 1 year

• 1 year

• 2 years

• 3 years

• 4 years

• 5 years

• 6 years

• 7 years

• 8 years

• 9 years

• 10 years

• Over 10 years

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume

Optional Documents

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application

• Curriculum Vitae

• Unofficial Transcripts

• Reference Letter 1

• Reference Letter 2

• Reference Letter 3

• Certifications and Licenses

• List of 3 References

• Unofficial Transcripts 2

• Unofficial Transcripts 3

• Letter of Interest

• Unofficial Graduate Transcripts

• Additional Document