General Counsel

Job Purpose:

The General Counsel serves as the chief legal officer for the university overseeing all legal matters and providing legal counsel to the University President, the Board of Trustees, and other university officers, entities, and units. The General Counsel is a key legal, policy, and governance advisor ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations, mitigating legal risks, and safeguarding the interests of HBKU.

Key Result Areas:

• Manage the development and implementation of legal strategies and solutions, including in high-risk situations, in alignment with university objectives and priorities.
• Provide and coordinate legal advice, consultation, and services through the appropriate University officer or entity (e.g., President, Board of Trustees, Senior Management) to ensure that HBKU's interests are safeguarded on a wide range of areas including employment matters, contracts, capital construction and financing transactions, real estate, student affairs, research, technology transfer, intellectual property, commercialization, development and gift agreements, trusts and estates, academic affairs, cybersecurity and data protection, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Guide the legal registration process for new institutions associated with HBKU to efficiently incorporate new centers/subsidiaries.
• Advise on HBKU's compliance with applicable Laws and regulations to mitigate any risk of legal action against HBKU.
• Advise management of significant legal developments and potential legal risks and their implications to ensure compliance with HBKU's legal framework, signed contracts and agreements.
• Perform assessments relating to legal risks that HBKU may face and proactively develop legal risk mitigation plans in consultation with HBKU risk function.
• Work in collaboration with various university entities and units to develop, review, and maintain legal standards, policies, and procedures across HBKU ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders in managing and resolving legal matters and issues. Draft, review, and assist in negotiating contracts, agreements, and other legal documents to ensure that they are submitted and completed efficiently and effectively to serve the best interests of HBKU and respond to any queries as appropriate.
• Stay abreast of relevant laws, regulations, and emerging legal trends and developments in higher education and disseminate relevant information to stakeholders.
• Identify, anticipate, and prepare for any legal disputes/issues that could affect HBKU.
• Ensure that the President and, when appropriate, other University leadership is kept informed of all incidents that may have legal implications and act as appropriate.

Skills & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Law or Juris Doctor (JD) degree with at least 8-10 years' experience in a similar role preferably in higher education or within a large non-profit or public sector organization. Master's preferred
• Active membership in a bar association or law society of a reputable legal jurisdiction that qualifies the candidate to practice law in that jurisdiction.
• Ability to anticipate legal issues or risks.
• High degree of professional ethics and integrity.
• Overall broad legal knowledge
• Excellent negotiation and conflict resolutions skills.