Assistant General Counsel - Research Technology and Privacy

Vanderbilt University is seeking an Assistant General Counsel to join the Office of the General Counsel and provide legal advice to Vanderbilt University on a full range of transactional legal matters and projects. The Assistant General Counsel will primarily support several key campus functions: (1) the university’s academic research enterprise, including the Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Innovation (OVPRI), Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA), and OfficeofResearchIntegrityandCompliance;and(2)informationsecurity,datagovernance,and privacy,includingVanderbiltUniversityInformationTechnology,ResearchIT,andOfficeofData and Strategic Analytics. If expertise aligns, the Assistant General Counsel will also advise on university policies, practices, and strategies that intersect with Artificial Intelligence. 

ThispositioncollaborateswithandadvisesleadersacrosstheUniversitytoprotectthebest interests of the university.

ReportingtotheDeputyGeneralCounsel,the AssistantGeneralCounselwillhavea responsibility to:

Supporttheuniversity’sstrategicgoals,inparticularwithrespecttoresearch,technology,and privacy-related matters.

Assist in the development of the university’s data and research compliance regimes by ensuringtheuniversityremainsabreastofgrowinglegalandregulatoryframeworksregarding the appropriate use and security of institutional data.

Protecttheuniversity’sshort-andlong-terminterestsbyensuringthatactionstakenbyoron thebehalf of the university comply with university policies and federal, state, and local lawsor regulations.

Work independently and as part of a team to effectively manage multiple highly sensitive and urgentlegalmatterswithcompetingandoverlappingdeadlines,andtimelycommunicatematter status and updates to Vice Chancellors and their teams.

Proactivelyanalyzeandrecommendcorrectiveactionandtrainingtoameliorateriskas needed.

Utilizecreativeproblem-solvingtechniquesandexcellentoralandwrittencommunicationskills to contribute to the highly collaborative working environment within the Office of the General Counsel and across the university.

The Assistant General Counsel may also work within the Office of the General Counsel to provideadviceandcounselon a varietyofother issuesfacing academic institutions and large employers,basedontheindividual’sexperienceandinterestsandtheneedsoftheuniversity.

AbouttheWork Unit:

The Office of the General Counsel provides legal advice to university departments with an awareness of the nuances of client business priorities and with understanding of university businesspractices.TheOfficeoftheGeneralCounseliscommittedtoagileservicedelivery aligned with the university's mission, priorities, and needs. All litigation proceedings are managed by the Office of the General Counsel on behalf of the university.

TheOfficeoftheGeneralCounselfocusesonoperationalexcellenceinallwedo,which includes:

• Projectmanagementandstatusupdates

• Technologyimplementation,use,andanalytics

• Budgetcontainmentandoutsidecounselmanagement

• Identificationofthehighestandbestuseofattorneytime

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• Providesregulatorycompliancesupportandlegalcounseltouniversityofficesthat oversee and manage the conduct of research and technology commercialization;

• Advisesoninternationalresearch,“foreigninfluence,”andresearchsecurity;

• Reviewsresearch,privacy,exportsecurity,andtechnologyelementsofsupplier agreements and other proposed collaborations with external parties;

• Preparescommentsonproposedfederal,state,andlocallegislationandregulationsthat may affect the university;

• Servesascounseltoseveraluniversityresearch-andinformationtechnology-focused committees, on topics including conflict of interest, research integrity & compliance, technology review committee, information security, IT risk, and data governance;

• Isknowledgeableofandmaintainsawarenessofnewlegalandregulatorydevelopments at the international, federal, state, and local level to provide counsel on the shifting legal and regulatory landscape, with a federal funding agency (NIH, NSF, DoD) policies and compliance;

• Providesadviceondataprivacy,institutionaldatagovernance,andartificialintelligence;

• Advisesthechiefinformationsecurityofficerrelatedtodatasecurityandbreach response;

• Collaborateswithotheruniversityoffices,includingUniversityComplianceServices,and Risk & Insurance Management, on investigations, instances of noncompliance, and corrective actions;

• Collaborateswithuniversityofficials,offices,anddepartmentstodevelopandprovide legal education and support to the Vanderbilt community;

• Pursues professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professionalaffiliationstokeepabreastoflatestdevelopmentsincollegeanduniversity law and in other related matters; and

• Performssimilarorrelateddutiesasassignedorrequiredinanevolvingenvironment.

Supervisory Relationships:

Thispositiondoesnothavesupervisory responsibility.

Education and Certifications:

Ajurisdoctorateisrequired,andthe AssistantGeneralCounselmustbelicensedintheStateof Tennessee or eligible for licensure within twelve months of hire.

Experience and Skills:

• Atleast4-6yearsofprogressivelyresponsibleexperienceinthepracticeoflawanda demonstrated ability to function independently in relevant subject matters;

  • Abilitytoidentify,analyze,andexplainlegalissuesinaclear,timely,andthoroughwayto senior university administrators;

  • Advancedoralandwrittencommunicationsskillsandtheabilitytoworkwithawiderange of constituencies in a diverse community;

  • Experiencewithsponsoredprograms,grantapplications,andgovernmentcontracts, preferably in support of an institution of higher education;

    • Willingnesstolearnnewareasoflaw,ortoapplypriorlegalpracticetoahigher education environment;

    • Experienceinregulatoryanalysis;

    • Demonstratedabilitytonavigatealarge,complexorganization,including  Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills;

    • Strongcriticalthinkingskills,soundjudgment,andstrategicability;and

    • Proficiencywithcommontechnologyfordocumentcreationandmanagement.

     A cover letter and writing sample must be submitted to be considered