Counsel & Chief of Staff

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

3h • Hybrid

About The Position

Harvard University’s Office of the General Counsel is seeking a highly accomplished and organized Counsel and Chief of Staff to serve as a strategic partner and trusted advisor to the Vice President and General Counsel (VPGC). This dual-capacity role operates at the intersection of complex higher education legal practice, strategy, and operations. The successful candidate will identify and evaluate issues and risks in complex and consequential litigation and investigation matters, provide legal counseling, and advise the VPGC strategically. The position works with the OGC management team to oversee its large and complex caseload, plan and implement special initiatives, and lead legal workflows for cross-cutting initiatives or matters outside traditional practice groups. It serves as a key liaison among the VPGC, OGC colleagues, University senior leadership, other University constituents, and outside counsel, coordinating communication, task completion, follow-through, efficiency, and critical projects. The Counsel and Chief of Staff may also provide legal advice and assistance on unusual or novel matters, coordinate OGC work, identify overarching priorities and risks, allocate resources, and track long-term matters and projects.

The role collaborates on identifying legal and regulatory risks, provides legal advice and support, and helps manage internal legal processes, policy development, and compliance efforts. It works closely with the VPGC and management team to support effective and efficient legal services to the University and its Schools and Units; contributes insights and recommendations for strategic initiatives focused on legal operations, operational efficiency, and risk management; and supports management through meeting facilitation, resource coordination, and productivity and engagement strategies.

The position coordinates communication and priorities among internal and external stakeholders, helps prioritize the VPGC’s meeting requests, coordinates with outside counsel, and prepares and reviews reports, presentations, and memoranda. It helps oversee legal budgets, resource allocation, and outside counsel relationships; assists with legal technology implementation; leads OGC projects and initiatives, including process improvement and legal technology adoption; monitors milestones and deadlines; and manages ad hoc projects assigned by the VPGC.

The position follows a hybrid work schedule, currently three days onsite and two days remote, with work location and schedule subject to departmental operational needs. Employees must commute to the Cambridge office as required and, when working outside Harvard locations, must work in a Harvard-registered state in compliance with University policy. The role has a three-month orientation and review period. Harvard is unable to provide visa sponsorship.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD).
• At least eight years of experience as an attorney in litigation or a related practice area, or other relevant experience; judicial clerkships may count toward the experience requirement.
• Admission to practice in Massachusetts, or readiness to obtain admission within one year.
• Strong interpersonal and diplomacy skills.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including the ability to present to senior leadership and other stakeholders.
• Ability to track, steward, and prioritize a high volume of competing, complex, and often sensitive matters in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong research, analytical, and writing skills.
• Good judgment and the ability to work independently and cooperatively with others.
• Fluency in the litigation process.

Nice To Haves

• Experience advising institutions of higher education or other complex organizations.
• Interest in identifying and helping implement technology to enhance legal support and operations, such as matter management systems and e-billing software.
• Interest in identifying and helping implement workflow management and other internal process improvements as legal needs evolve.

Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate legal issues and risks in complex litigation and investigation matters, and provide legal counseling and strategic advice to the VPGC.
• Collaborate with OGC attorneys and outside counsel to identify legal and regulatory risks and provide legal advice and support.
• Help manage internal legal processes, policy development, and compliance efforts; independently provide legal advice and support on matters using judgment and interpretation.
• Work with the VPGC and OGC management team to support effective and efficient legal services to the University and its Schools and Units.
• Contribute insights and recommendations for strategic initiatives concerning legal operations, operational efficiency, and risk management.
• Support OGC management by facilitating meetings, coordinating resources, and developing strategies to improve productivity and engagement.
• Serve as a point of contact among the VPGC, OGC members, and internal and external stakeholders; support clear communication and alignment of priorities.
• Work with legal support staff to prioritize the VPGC’s incoming and outgoing meeting requests.
• Coordinate with outside counsel as needed.
• Prepare and review reports, presentations, and memoranda.
• Help oversee legal budgets, resource allocation, and outside counsel relationships.
• Assist with implementing legal technologies and tools to improve workflow and efficiency.
• Lead OGC projects and initiatives, including process improvement and legal technology adoption.
• Monitor critical project progress and ensure milestones and deadlines are met.
• Manage ad hoc projects as directed by the VPGC.
• Coordinate OGC work, identify overarching priorities and risks, allocate resources, and track long-term matters and projects.
• Lead legal workflows for cross-cutting initiatives or matters outside OGC’s traditional practice groups.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off, including parental leave.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage starting on day one.
• Retirement plans with University contributions.
• Wellbeing and mental health resources.
• Support for families and caregivers.
• Professional development opportunities, including tuition assistance and reimbursement.
• Commuter benefits, discounts, and campus perks.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree