CU Boulder Managing Associate University Counsel & Vice Chancellor

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Company: State of Colorado

Location: Boulder, CO 80302

Description:

Salary: $300,000.00 - $340,000.00 Annually
Location : Boulder, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: CU36643
Department: University of Colorado - System Administration
Opening Date: 04/18/2025
Closing Date: 4/30/2025 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Primary Physical Work Address: 924 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80309
FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information: SystemHR.Recruiting@cu.edu
Type of Announcement: This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.
How To Apply: Online applications through the Colorado Jobs portal will not be accepted. Please follow instructions on the job announcement for submitting an application.

Department Information
To apply, please go to:

Join Our Team and Make a Difference in Higher Education!

At the System Administration office at the University of Colorado, we are dedicated to building a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our office is committed to fostering a culture where employees find community, a sense of belonging, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to our mission and purpose.

By joining our team, you'll have a direct impact on shaping the future of higher education. In addition to the Office of the Board of Regents, the University of Colorado's system administration includes 19 units that provide essential services to CU's campuses in Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Denver, as well as the Office of the President. While not a part of any one campus, we are proud to serve in the centralized office for the University system. Together, we ensure CU continues to deliver outstanding education, groundbreaking research, and valuable service to our communities.

We believe in creating an environment where the unique experiences and perspectives of everyone are embraced, enriching the work we do and the strategic outcomes we pursue. If you're passionate about making a difference, contributing to a dynamic team, and supporting a mission that matters, we encourage you to apply and be part of our journey.

Position Summary:

This position is a dual appointment as Managing Associate University Counsel and Vice Chancellor. The Managing Associate University Counsel role will report directly to the Vice President and University Counsel, and the Vice Chancellor role will report directly to the CU Boulder Chancellor.

The Managing Associate University Counsel is responsible for overseeing and providing a variety of professional legal services at the University of Colorado's (CU) Boulder campus. This position serves as a member of University Counsel's leadership team and advises and represents the campus and University in front of legislative and administrative bodies, develops and implements university policies, advises campus community members on a variety of legal issues, and reviews, drafts, and negotiates legal and contractual documents.

As Vice Chancellor, this position is a trusted executive advisor on the CU Boulder Chancellor's senior leadership team and has duties focused on managing relationships and negotiating associated agreements with campus affiliates, including but not limited to the campus's athletics department, public-private partnerships, and other special projects. The VC duties will involve working with other campuses within the CU system to fulfill the strategic initiatives of CU Boulder. Duties also include providing guidance and assistance to campus leadership in advancing important campus research, innovation, and initiatives. At the Chancellor's discretion, this role may be assigned direct oversight of specific projects not otherwise aligned with other Vice Chancellors. This position is expected to work closely with the other Vice Chancellors on campus initiatives and priorities.

This position is exempt from the Colorado State Classified System and the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Where You Will Work:

This role is in-person at the University of Colorado at Boulder campus in Boulder, Colorado.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.

Description of Job
Duties and Responsibilities:

Managing Associate University Counsel
  • Leads the University Counsel office located at the CU Boulder Campus to include supervising and directing unit staff
  • Serves as a strategic member of the CU Boulder Chancellor's leadership team, attending campus leadership meetings and providing legal advice
  • Serves a member of the Office of University Counsel senior management team, assisting in the development and implementation of University policies
  • Advises administrators, faculty members, and staff on various legal issues, including but not limited to the following:
    • Regulatory compliance in such areas as environmental health and safety, research, and health care
    • Employment law issues for faculty, exempt professional, state classified, and student employees
    • Application and interpretation of Federal and State laws and regulations impacting higher education
    • Application and interpretation of the Laws of the Regents and university policies
    • Student rights and responsibilities in a university setting
    • Constitutional and civil rights
    • Tax-exempt organizations
    • Land use planning
  • Reviews, drafts, and negotiates contracts, leases, and other legal documents
  • Advises on proposed University policies and practices
  • Manages the engagement of outside counsel firms as needed
  • Represents the campus and University in front of legislative bodies and administrative agencies, and in administrative hearings
  • Negotiates settlements and engages in Alternative Dispute Resolution in a variety of settings
  • Performs other duties as assigned

Vice Chancellor
  • Serves on the Chancellor's Senior Leadership Team
  • Builds and maintains relationships with the CU Boulder campus leadership, the leadership of the other CU campuses, and the system administration.
  • Helps develop and implement the strategic initiatives of CU Boulder
  • Fosters and sustains connections with university partners
  • Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Minimum Qualifications:
  • Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent law degree from an accredited institution of higher education
  • Minimum of ten (10) years' experience advising and representing complex organizations and/or public sector institutions, including helping shape vision and guiding discussion on matters related to strategy and operations in addition to the law
  • Five (5) years' experience supervising and managing others
  • Colorado Licensure or the ability to obtain a Colorado License promptly after an offer of appointment
  • Record of ethical behavior and respect for the laws

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Substantial experience representing institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, or other public sector entities
  • Experience working with intellectual property as a component of transactional relationships
  • Litigation experience
  • Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations regarding public employment, tax exempt organizations, and higher education

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Ability to communicate effectively with all levels within the organization
  • Strong leadership skills and the ability to effectively supervise and manage professional legal and support staff
  • Demonstrated ability to analyze, organize, and effectively present, both orally and in writing, legal issues, opinions and recommendations to a variety of constituents
  • Demonstrated ability to deal tactfully and effectively with a variety of internal constituents and external contacts to provide comprehensive legal services to the university
  • Knowledge of the higher education enterprise and its legal challenges
  • Strong negotiation skills, strategies, and tactics
  • Excellent oral, written, and listening communications skills

Supplemental Information

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please attach the following as separate documents to your application at :
  • A cover letter identifying the job specific minimum qualifications you possess
  • A resume including any and all relevant experience to be accurately assessed against the qualifications listed in the posting.

  • Benefits:

    With our unparalleled range of benefits, including top-notch healthcare, comprehensive wellness programs, enriching professional development, and a dynamic work-life balance, we ensure your holistic growth and happiness.
    • No-cost or low-cost medical & dental plan options, some inclusive of IVF assistance.
    • Disability, Life, Vision Insurance options.
    • Multiple retirement planning options including a mandatory 401(a) plan where CU contributes 10% of your gross pay, a 401k or 403b plan and a 457 deferred compensation plan.
    • Pre-tax savings plans, such as Health care and Dependent care flexible spending accounts.
    • Embrace a healthy work-life balance with ample sick and vacation leave, along with at least 12 paid holidays. This includes a dedicated week off for winter break.
    • 6 weeks of parental leave to adjust to the joys of parenthood.
    • A tuition benefit program for you and/or your dependents.
    • Free RTD EcoPass and Free Onsite Parking at our 1800 Grant Street Office.
    • Many additional perks & programs with the

    Additional taxable fringe benefits may be available.

    For more information on benefits programs, please review our

    Access our to see what your total rewards could be at CU. (This position is a University Staff position)
    Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.

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