Associate General Counsel - Office of the General Counsel - Azusa Pacific University

APU is seeking employees who desire to engage in our thriving culture by cultivating community through professional interactions, demonstrating a posture of lifelong learning, and modeling Christ-like character. Working together, employees at APU commit to establishing a university atmosphere that is edifying to God and to one another.

This position is responsible for assisting the General Counsel & University Integrity Officer in providing a high level of professional legal service to the University by advising the Administration on a broad range of legal matters. These potentially span a broad spectrum of counseling and advocacy matters to guide the University in matters of compliance and in developing and implementing policies that are calculated to advance APU’s gospel mission in the world, while serving as a ministry of care to our APU communities. This individual needs to be able to seamlessly integrate mission and faith elements into all work that is performed in support of the leadership of the University, in conformity with our Statement of Faith.

Required Education:

• A J.D. from an ABA accredited law school.

Required Experience:

• More than 10 years in legal practice, with substantial experience in the Higher Education environment, and with relevant experience in one or more of the following areas: nonprofit/religious corporation governance, employment law, dispute resolution, lifecycle contracts management.
• Additional desired experience includes: Relevant legal or other work experience relating enterprise risk management, occupational safety and site security, and emergency planning.
• Must be a member in good standing with the State Bar of California.

Primary Duties/Essential Functions:

• Support the General Counsel and University Integrity Officer as required over all areas to provide advice that enables the University to conduct business in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Provide advice to key leaders and administrators on legal matters affecting the University.
• Manage employment disputes and litigation, including prelitigation dispute resolution, court appearances, pleadings, discovery, motion practice, and managing outside counsel as approved.
• Provide day-to-day support for the University’s Human Resources function, including operations support and advice to enable the University to conduct business in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Supervise outside counsel and others representing the University in general litigation or claims as directed.
• Under the guidance of the General Counsel, work to develop a continuously growing breadth and depth of experience in all areas of practice within the Office of General Counsel, including matters involving the Board of Trustees, to increase the flexibility and agility of the APU legal team in responding to the dynamic needs and challenges of the University.
• Design and deliver appropriate compliance training/education to all areas of University community to augment existing resources.
• Regular, punctual attendance on the Azusa campus as required, based on department needs.
• Other duties as assigned by the General Counsel.

Skills:

• This position requires excellent oral and written communications skills.
• Excellent interpersonal / relationship-building skills.
• Strong legal research abilities
• Analytical, advocacy and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work collegially in a diverse and complex environment.
• This position is intended to be able to interact, on a developing basis, with all levels of faculty, staff, and senior administration and with the Board of Trustees as the General Counsel and President deem necessary and appropriate.
• Future growth in the role requires the ability to contribute to the spiritual leadership of the team.

Mental Demands:

• Ability to communicate effectively, in both written and verbal form, in a friendly, patient, and professional manner.
• Manage several projects simultaneously while making sound decisions.
• Work well with deadline pressures and distractions.
• High initiative with the ability to work independently.
• Ability to exercise the utmost confidentiality and discretion.
• Logical problem-solving ability with focus attuned to client’s needs and goals.
• Ability to quickly adapt to changing circumstances.

Physical Demands:

• Continuous sitting four-six hours/day.
• Repetitive wrist, finger motions related to computer usage.
• Hearing, talking on the telephone.
• Able to reach, grasp, bend, pull, lift up to twenty pounds.

Visual Demands:

• Reading, computer monitor.

Environment:

• Pleasant office setting, comfortable temperature.

Technologies:

• Proficiency in legal research platforms (Lexis Nexis and Westlaw) and Microsoft programs, including Word and Excel.
• Working knowledge of Google Docs and the Google operating environment.

Compensation:

• Grade 28: $172,105 to $197,921 is the annual salary for this role and reflects what Azusa Pacific University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on the qualifications, experience, and internal equity. In addition to compensation, APU offers a competitive benefits package.

Azusa Pacific University is a Christ-centered, multicultural community that values and seeks faculty and staff who are committed to diversity, work effectively with diverse populations, and engage others in ways that honor our rich cultural mosaic and biblical foundation. Please click the links to learn more about 'what we believe', our 'mission statement', and our 'statement of faith'.

You can learn more about APU by watching the stories of faculty, staff, and alumni as they carry out our mission here: http://www.apu.edu/stories/

Azusa Pacific University will conduct a background check on all final candidates.

Review of applications will begin immediately, and the position will remain open until filled unless otherwise stated. Azusa Pacific University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.