Assistant General Counsel - Research Technology and Privacy

Vanderbilt University•Nashville, TN

17d

About The Position

Vanderbilt University seeks an Assistant General Counsel for its Office of the General Counsel. The role provides legal advice on transactional matters and projects, primarily supporting the university’s academic research enterprise and its information security, data governance, and privacy functions. Depending on expertise, the attorney may also advise on university policies, practices, and strategies involving artificial intelligence, and may serve as the university’s privacy officer depending on institutional need and the candidate’s expertise and interest. The Assistant General Counsel collaborates with leaders across the university to protect its interests and support strategic goals involving research, technology, and privacy. The role helps develop data and research compliance regimes, monitors applicable legal and regulatory frameworks, and ensures university actions comply with its policies and applicable laws and regulations. The attorney manages sensitive and urgent matters, communicates status updates to university leaders, and recommends corrective action and training to address risk. The position may also advise on other issues facing academic institutions and large employers, depending on experience, interests, and university needs. The Office of the General Counsel provides legal advice with an understanding of client priorities and university business practices. It manages litigation proceedings on behalf of the university and emphasizes operational excellence, including project management, technology implementation and analytics, budget containment, outside counsel management, and effective use of attorney time. This position has no supervisory responsibility.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree.
Licensed to practice law in Tennessee or eligible for Tennessee licensure within twelve months of hire.
At least 4–6 years of progressively responsible legal practice experience.
Demonstrated ability to function independently in relevant subject matters.
Ability to identify, analyze, and explain legal issues clearly, thoroughly, and promptly to senior university administrators.
Advanced oral and written communication skills and ability to work with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
Experience with regulatory analysis.
Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills.
Strong critical-thinking skills, sound judgment, and strategic ability.
Proficiency with common technology for document creation and management.
Submit a cover letter and writing sample to be considered.

Nice To Haves

Experience with sponsored programs, grant applications, and government contracts, preferably supporting an institution of higher education.
Willingness to learn new areas of law or adapt prior legal practice to a higher education environment.
Expertise aligned with advising on university policies, practices, and strategies involving artificial intelligence.

Responsibilities

Provide regulatory compliance support and legal counsel to university offices overseeing research and technology commercialization.
Advise on international research, foreign influence, and research security.
Review research, privacy, export security, and technology aspects of supplier agreements and other proposed collaborations with external parties.
Prepare comments on proposed federal, state, and local legislation and regulations that may affect the university.
Serve as counsel to university research- and information technology-focused committees, including those addressing conflicts of interest, research integrity and compliance, technology review, information security, IT risk, and data governance.
Monitor international, federal, state, and local legal and regulatory developments, including federal funding agency policies and compliance requirements.
Advise on data privacy, institutional data governance, and artificial intelligence.
Advise the chief information security officer on data security and breach response.
Collaborate with University Compliance Services, Risk & Insurance Management, and other university offices on investigations, noncompliance, and corrective actions.
Work with university officials, offices, and departments to develop and provide legal education and support to the Vanderbilt community.
Manage sensitive and urgent legal matters independently and collaboratively, and communicate matter status and updates to Vice Chancellors and their teams.
Proactively analyze risks and recommend corrective actions and training.
Pursue professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations.
Perform similar or related duties as assigned in an evolving environment.