Associate University Counsel, Legal and Compliance

Reports to: Vice President and General Counsel

Purpose:

The Associate University Counsel provides expert and strategic legal advice across all areas of the University’s operations, ensuring legal compliance is integrated into institutional strategy. The role manages complex legal transactions, oversees other lawyers’ work, leads risk mitigation efforts, and advises on legislative and policy matters. The incumbent operates with a high degree of autonomy reporting to the Vice President and General Counsel.

Responsibilities:

• Strategic Legal Counsel: Provide high-level legal advice on a broad range of issues, ensuring legal guidance aligns with the University’s strategic direction
• Complex Transaction and Case Management: Lead and manage major legal transactions, contracts, and disputes, offering practical and strategic legal solutions
• Leadership and Oversight: Manage all activities and provide directions to other lawyers within the department
• Specialized Contract Management: Draft, negotiate, and manage specialized contracts, particularly construction contracts, including International Federation of Consulting Engineers FIDIC, and advise on related risk mitigation, claims management, and dispute resolution
• In-House Operations and External Relations: Manage and execute in-house legal service processes, contracts, and internal investigations, and act as the primary liaison with external legal counsel
• General Administrative Support: Perform other administrative duties as required

Qualifications and Skills:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor of Law
• Minimum of 12 years of significant legal experience, including effective collaboration at the Board or Executive level
• Extensive expertise in drafting, negotiating, and managing construction contracts, e.g., FIDIC is essential

Technical Skills:

• Bilingual Legal Expertise: Excellent command of English and Arabic, both written and spoken
• Strategic and Analytical: Strong analytical, strategic, and innovative thinking to interpret law and identify key issues in complex problems
• Communication and Collaboration: Very good interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary environment and respond to competing priorities
• Professional Agility: Ability to identify key issues within complex problems and ensure effective use of time and resources

This position is open until November 4, 2025

Placement is based on the candidate’s experience and skills. Only candidates who make it to the short list will be contacted.

"The American University in Cairo is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply."

“We thank all individuals who have expressed interest in working at The American University in Cairo.”