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University of California Office of the President · 2 weeks ago

MANAGING COUNSEL, RISK LITIGATION

Oakland, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$310K/yr - $332K/yr

10+ years exp

The University of California Office of the President is a leading institution dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and public service. The Managing Counsel for Risk Litigation will oversee the university's self-insured liability programs, manage a team of litigators, and advise senior management on legal implications related to policy changes.

EducationHigher EducationProfessional Services

Responsibilities

Client Service: Understands that UC is a large, complex organization with many internal and external clients. Carries out UC's organizational philosophy to provide the best possible services in support of its mission: teaching, research and public service

Determines whether a program or activity impedes or advances the University's goals

Manage litigation through direct legal services and outside counsel

Serve directly as legal specialist in Oakland or generalist at the campus and be relied upon for high quality, timely, relevant, and solution-oriented counsel including research, writing, advice and advocacy

Serve as a trusted strategic partner with University business units, providing practical advice and alternative solutions to business issues

May directly negotiate matters on behalf of The Regents

Demonstrate and promote appropriate risk tolerance

Prioritize objectives and ensure service according to those priorities

Manages Fiat Lux captive insurance relationship for UC Legal in coordination with OPRS. Expert in related insurance and insurance coverage issues

Leadership, Accountability, and Governance: Provides an environment of individual growth and career development, recognizing and utilizing skills of others through clear, specific and timely performance feedback; recruits, mentors and retains talented managers and employees; provides effective coaching, delegates effectively and rewards superior performance

Demonstrates execution of goals and objectives that support the overall success of the strategic objectives of the organization, both locally and Systemwide. These goals and objectives will include compliance with applicable regulatory and university requirements

Adheres to University principles of transparency and openness in working with all constituents

Manage OGC attorneys to achieve high quality work products from each individual and meet departmental service expectations

Develop clear, written performance goals and objectives annually for direct reports and contribute to the development of same for all members of the legal staff

Provide oral feedback to direct reports regarding progress toward goals and objectives throughout the performance review cycle

Provide opportunities for growth on the part of direct reports and other members of the legal staff

Provide coaching, counseling and corrective action plans as needed

Provide recommendations for the merit, equity, retention and award process (evaluation and monetary remuneration) with integrity

Achieve operational competency and consistent administration of personnel policies and departmental work rules for those individuals reporting to this position

Provide proactive and consistent contributions and leadership for OGC projects and initiatives

Ensure that direct reports provide meaningful contributions to OGC initiatives

Monitor workload of team and direct reports; evaluate client service, resource capacity and legal practice needs

Proactively contribute to strategic planning for the section and play a key role in the implementation of identified goals and priorities

Resource Management & Financial Budget: Develops strategic goals and objectives to achieve accountability and efficient stewardship of University resources (operational, financial, and human), in a manner consistent with System-wide objectives and initiatives

Contribute toward the implementation of the outside counsel cost reduction plan

Manage outside counsel budget for legal specialty area

Ensure compliance with delegations of authority for contracting, purchasing and committing University funds

Appropriately delegate work to maximize efficiency of University resources and provide opportunities for growth of the legal staff

Minimize unplanned staff absenteeism

Ensure compliance with record keeping effort designed to monitor resource allocation, including timesheets

Qualification

Litigation experienceOperational managementInsurance coverage expertisePeople leadershipLegal document draftingCustomer service skillsEthical standardsInterpersonal skillsPresentation skillsWritten communicationTeam player

Required

Minimum of 10 years of relevant litigation experience required

Demonstrated experience in change-oriented operational management and people leadership with the capacity to lead and motivate a professional team to meet high client service expectations in an extremely visible organization

Possess high integrity as demonstrated by having the ability to make and communicate hard decisions; demonstrated credibility to win support for those decisions

Ability to lead by influence and consensus

Judgment, tact and diplomacy to partner with senior teams to help them achieve their strategic objectives

Outstanding interpersonal skills to interact effectively and develop and maintain productive working relationships with an array of diverse interests, individuals, and constituencies

Outstanding customer service skills

Outstanding verbal and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate clearly, logically, and persuasively during interactions and utilize active listening skills

Outstanding written skills as defined by the ability to compose a variety of concise, informative written materials appropriate to a particular audience

Exceptional ability to draft accurate, complete and persuasive legal documents, such as pleadings, legal responses, affidavits, position statements and briefs

Ability to represent institutional concerns persuasively to internal and external parties

Demonstrated ability to act as a team player in all circumstances, as defined by contributing to the successful outcome of initiatives, accountabilities, and operations of others

Proven ability to maintain confidentiality with regard to sensitive issues and information and exercise discretion in dealing with sensitive or potentially sensitive topics

Commitment to the highest ethical standards

Advanced degree in a related area required

Must be a member in good standing of the California Bar

Preferred

Previous management or supervisory experience and/or significant project management experience

Ability to identify and develop the talents in others

Demonstrated understanding of ethical issues in a University setting

Experience with insurance coverage and insurance-related issues, including captive insurance relationships

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package offered by the University

Company

University of California Office of the President

Glassdoor3.8

The Office of the President is the system wide headquarters of the University of California, managing its fiscal and business operations, and supporting the academic and research missions across its campuses, labs and medical centers.

Oakland, California, USA

1001-5000 employees