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Rutgers University

Associate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel

New Brunswick, United States

Position Details

Position Information

Recruitment/Posting Title

Job Category

Staff & Executive - Legal

Department

Office of University Labor Relations

Overview

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national research university and the State of New Jersey’s preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. As one of the largest employers in the State of New Jersey, Rutgers University is committed not only to the students and the State that we serve, but also to the faculty and staff who work on our campuses.

For two consecutive years, Rutgers is ranked on Forbes’ list of America’s Best Large Employers. Rutgers holds #64 of 500 employers and is the #1 New Jersey employer on the publication’s 2023 list. Rutgers’ commitment to its employees includes maintaining and fostering a safe, diverse, and respectful workplace environment, creating employment opportunities for our nation’s military veterans, and ensuring accessibility and accommodation for individuals with disabilities.

Posting Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is seeking an Associate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel. Reporting to the Executive Vice President and General Counsel, this position leads the Office of University Labor Relations (OULR), which acts as the primary liaison between the university and its labor unions and as the central resource for universitywide labor relations. The Associate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel provides strategic direction and oversight for all labor relations matters, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, collective negotiations agreements (CNAs), and university policies, and supervises OULR personnel. In partnership with attorneys in the Office of General Counsel, this position plays a leading role in negotiating and implementing labor contracts affecting Rutgers’ faculty and staff.

Among the key duties of this position are the following:

Serves as the university’s senior leader for labor relations strategy, including the development of negotiation frameworks and the oversight of implementation of collective bargaining agreements across all unions recognized by the university.
Partners with the Associate VP and Deputy General Counsel for Labor and Employment and the Labor and Employment legal team to ensure that negotiation strategies and outcomes are legally sound, effectively implemented, and consistently applied across the university.
Provides executive-level counsel to university leadership, Chancellors, University Human Resources, and other stakeholders on labor relations issues, ensuring that bargaining approaches and implementation plans align with institutional priorities.
Collaborates with the General Counsel and OGC attorneys to ensure legal consistency and risk mitigation related to labor practices.
Coordinates input and recommendations from stakeholders for labor negotiations and employment-related policies.
Leads collective negotiations with all staff and faculty unions, overseeing OULR negotiation teams and stakeholder participation.
Directs the preparation, review, and presentation of negotiation proposals in coordination with University leadership and OGC.
Serves as primary liaison with union representatives throughout the negotiations process.
Provides strategic briefings to the Executive Vice President and General Counsel and other senior stakeholders.
Oversees and ensures consistent administration and implementation of CNAs in collaboration with UHR, Payroll, Academic Affairs, and other departments.
Provides training, guidance, and interpretation of CNAs to University departments.
Provides representation of the university in grievance hearings, disciplinary and other labor-management forums.
Evaluates policy changes and legislative developments impacting labor relations.
Leads and manages the Office of University Labor Relations, overseeing staff responsible for labor relations strategy, collective bargaining, contract administration, and implementation of labor agreements.
Oversees the coordination of grievance processes, disciplinary reviews, and labor-management committees.
Coordinates closely with the OGC, including Deputy Counsel for Labor and Employment, to ensure the alignment of labor relations efforts with university objectives and OGC strategy.
Acts as a senior advisor to the Executive Vice President and General Counsel on university-wide labor relations matters.
Coordinates with the Deputy General Counsel for Labor and Employment to ensure alignment on overlapping matters within OGC.

FLSA

Exempt

Grade

Salary Details

$240,000 - $300,000

Minimum Salary

0.000

Mid Range Salary

0.000

Maximum Salary

0.000

Offer Information

The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university’s broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Benefits

Rutgers offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees, based on position, which includes:

Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
Employee and dependent educational benefits
Life insurance coverage
Employee discounts programs

For detailed information on benefits and eligibility, please visit: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/benefits/benefits-overview.

Position Status

Full Time

Working Hours

Standard Hours

37.50

Daily Work Shift

Work Arrangement

Union Description

Senior Administrators

Payroll Designation

PeopleSoft

Seniority Unit

Terms of Appointment

Staff - 12 month

Position Pension Eligibility

ABP

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.

Certifications/Licenses

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Admission to the New Jersey State Bar and in good standing, or eligibility for admission within one year of hire.
At least fifteen years of experience counseling clients on employment and traditional labor law issues, conducting labor negotiations, drafting responses to administrative charges, and representing clients in employment and labor matters.
Demonstrated experience leading and supervising teams of professional staff responsible for labor relations strategy, negotiations, and dispute resolution.
Demonstrated ability to develop labor strategy, lead negotiations, and manage complex, high-stakes labor matters with significant organizational impact.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with New Jersey public sector and higher education labor relations.
Experience with academic labor law.

Equipment Utilized

NetDocuments (electronic document management system) – creating, scanning, searching, and retrieving documents.
Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint.
Westlaw.
LexisNexis CounselLink.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

This role requires the ability to travel to various Rutgers campuses and external venues for collective negotiations, grievance proceedings, and consultations with stakeholders. Due to the nature and sensitivity of labor relations matters, the incumbent must be available beyond standard business hours to address emergent issues, respond to time-sensitive matters, and ensure continuity in high-stakes negotiations or legal proceedings.

Special Conditions

Posting Details

Posting Number

25ST2114

Posting Open Date

09/30/2025

Special Instructions to Applicants

Regional Campus

Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Home Location Campus

Downtown New Brunswick

City

New Brunswick

State

Location Details

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate’s offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

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