Senior Associate Vice President & Deputy General Counsel

The Ohio State University•Columbus, OH

About The Position

The Office of Legal Affairs, under the direction of the Senior Vice President and General Counsel, provides legal representation and advice to the University and all of its constituent parts, including the Board of Trustees, the President, Provost, faculty and academic departments, Business and Finance, Administration and Planning, and the Wexner Medical Center among many others. As one of the largest universities in the nation, Ohio State is a multifaceted institution, with a sophisticated and leading-edge legal practice that touches nearly every area of law, including litigation, labor and employment, public contracting, real estate and construction, intellectual property, research and technology transfer, business transactions, taxation and benefits, administrative law, health care law, public safety and criminal law matters, federal and state constitutional and public law issues, and more. The Senior Associate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel serves as a key advisor to the Senior Vice President and General Counsel and is responsible for the day-to-day direction, oversight and monitoring of the provision of legal counsel, advice and services for the University’s employment and labor relations area. This position will convene a senior leadership team made up of representatives from employment and labor relations, litigation, insurance, risk management, and academic, student, and immigration legal services to strategize on key issues and ensure collaboration between these critical practice areas in the office. This role includes the supervision of legal staff and the provision of legal advice on a wide range of matters, including advising the Board of Trustees. The Senior Associate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel will serve as a member of the Senior Vice President and General Counsel’s executive leadership group and assist the Senior Vice President and General Counsel with the creation and execution of long-term goals for the Office of Legal Affairs, including the development of office programming and human resource functions, such as the implementation of career pathway and mentorship programs for the office staff and assist in identifying and implementing programs and strategies that will provide comprehensive and proactive legal guidance to University constituents. The Senior Associate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel will represent the Senior Vice President and General Counsel in his/her absence. The Senior Associate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel will manage and oversee the university’s employee, labor, and employee benefits group and is responsible for providing legal advice and services to university leadership, units, departments and the university's Wexner Medical Center concerning all labor and employment-related matters. This includes: handling complex, highly sensitive and specialized matters related to all areas of employment and labor law; serving as the legal contact for the Office of Human Resources on employment-related matters; serving as leader of the Office of Legal Affairs labor and employment group; monitoring, coordinating, and supervising the work of all labor and employment-related legal services provided to all units of the University; legal drafting, review and negotiation of employment agreements, contracts, and other legal documents, including senior leadership, senior administrators, and athletic coaches contracts; overseeing the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements with unions and handling unfair labor practices, grievances and arbitrations filed by labor unions; managing all employment-related litigation; assisting with the development, drafting, and advising on significant policy matters involving the Office of Human Resources; participating in the development of large scale employment and labor strategies for the university and Wexner Medical Center; initiating and implementing special projects and performing other duties as assigned. The individual in this position must be cross designated with the Ohio Attorney General's Office prior to appointment.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.), graduate from an accredited law school and be a member of the Ohio bar or eligible to practice law in the State of Ohio within one year or less.
Cross-designated with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office prior to appointment.
Minimum of fifteen (15) years of experience in labor and employment law
experience leading a labor and employment practice group in higher education
understanding of applicable employee benefits laws to public institutions
exceptional judgment, discretion, and communication skills

Nice To Haves

Experience in higher education, public institutions, or similarly complex environments preferred.

Responsibilities

handling complex, highly sensitive and specialized matters related to all areas of employment and labor law
serving as the legal contact for the Office of Human Resources on employment-related matters
serving as leader of the Office of Legal Affairs labor and employment group
monitoring, coordinating, and supervising the work of all labor and employment-related legal services provided to all units of the University
legal drafting, review and negotiation of employment agreements, contracts, and other legal documents, including senior leadership, senior administrators, and athletic coaches contracts
overseeing the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements with unions and handling unfair labor practices, grievances and arbitrations filed by labor unions
managing all employment-related litigation
assisting with the development, drafting, and advising on significant policy matters involving the Office of Human Resources
participating in the development of large scale employment and labor strategies for the university and Wexner Medical Center
initiating and implementing special projects and performing other duties as assigned

Benefits

Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.

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