General Counsel

The General Counsel serves as the Chief Legal Officer of Utah Tech University and works in conjunction with the Utah Attorney General's Office to provide proactive professional counsel and advice on critical strategic, legal and public issues. Provides, manages, and coordinates the legal services for the University in areas relevant to the University, including academic and corporate governance, personnel and employment issues, benefits, student affairs, academic affairs, non-discrimination, conflicts of interest, gifts and development, immigration issues, contracts, tax and payroll matters, insurance and risk management, construction, purchasing, real estate, environmental issues, compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations, copyright and other intellectual property matters, IT, University policy, and Athletics.

The General Counsel is a member of President's Cabinet and reports directly to the President. The position works closely with, and provides legal advice to and support to, the Board of Trustees, the President, senior administrators, and other leadership of the University.

• Working in conjunction with the Utah Attorney General's Office, provide legal counsel and advice to the University's administration and monitor, prioritize, and coordinate the legal affairs within the University.
• Coordinate legal affairs, including but not limited to:
  • Contract development and review.
  • Assist with the legal review and development of policies.
  • Promote compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
  • Attend on-campus hearings.
  • Provide information and training to minimize legal risks and costs.
  • Risk management and litigation (pending and potential), in conjunction with the Utah Attorney General's Office.
• Effectively prepare advice to the President and other senior administrators on all University legal matters.
• Gather all facts and the pertinent law, effectively communicate advice orally and in writing, and follow-up on the advice given.
• Develop an environment within the University that is conducive to and actively promotes the successful practice of preventative law.
• Be readily available to the President and other senior administrators and keep them appropriately informed on legal matters. Proactively identify and address problems and issues before, or as, they may arise.
• Provide information and training that encourages the prevention of legal problems and litigation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice in Utah, or if licensed in another state, able to obtain admission to practice in Utah within one year of hire; a member of good standing with the Utah State Bar.
• A minimum of five (5) years of substantial and progressively-responsible legal experience practicing law. Such experience shall include the provision of sophisticated legal advice and counsel reflecting sound judgment, first rate legal acumen, and substantive in-depth legal advice.
• Excellent analytical, oral, and written communication and problem-solving skills.
• Professional legal experience providing legal counsel and advice to, or representation of, an institution of higher education is preferred.

Knowledge:

• Advanced knowledge of higher education law, contract law, and other specialty areas of law pertinent to higher education, which may include academic and corporate governance, personnel and employment issues, benefits, student affairs, academic affairs, non-discrimination, conflicts of interest, gifts and development, immigration issues, tax and payroll matters, insurance and risk management, construction, purchasing, real estate, environmental issues, HIPAA, compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations, copyright and other intellectual property matters, information technology, and athletics.
• Knowledge of the procedural and evidentiary requirements of administrative hearing and litigation.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of legal research.
• Demonstrated understanding of ethical issues, policies, and procedures in a higher education setting.

Skills:

• Judgment, tact, and diplomacy to provide legal counsel and advice assisting senior administrators to achieve their strategic goals and objectives.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills to interact effectively, develop, and maintain productive working relationships with a wide array of individuals, departments, programs, interests, and constituencies.
• Outstanding verbal and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate clearly, logically, and persuasively during interactions. Excellent communication and negotiating skills, including active listening skills.
• Exceptional ability to draft accurate, complete, and persuasive legal documents.
• High integrity as demonstrated by having the ability the make and communicate hard decisions and opinions, as well as being able to articulate the reasoning for such decisions and opinions.

Abilities:

• 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 goals and initiatives of others and the operation of the University.
• Proven ability to maintain confidentiality with regard to sensitive issues and information and exercise discretion in dealing with sensitive or potentially sensitive topics.
• Ability to work with all groups in an academic setting of university students, faculty and staff.

POSITION DETAILS, COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Full-time overtime-exempt executive staff position. Annual salary of $190,000+ depending on qualifications and experience. Desired start date of August 2025. Excellent benefits package included that begins on start date; includes medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, employee assistance and wellness programs, retirement plan contributions, and undergraduate tuition waivers for employees and eligible dependents, as well as paid holidays in addition to sick and vacation leave accruals. See https://humanresources.utahtech.edu/employee-benefits/ under "Benefits Summary" for more details.

ELECTRONIC APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Position open until filled; application review begins June 23, 2025. Submit application materials (including resume contents and contact information for three professional references) and upload a cover letter electronically. If, because of a disability, you need special services or facilities in order to apply for this opening, please call the Human Resources Office at (435) 652-7520.