Assistant General Counsel - Research Technology and Privacy at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN

Job description

Vanderbilt University is seeking an Assistant General Counsel to join the Office of the General Counsel and provide legal advice to Vanderbilt University on a full range of transactional legal matters and projects. The Assistant General Counsel will primarily support several key campus functions: the university's academic research enterprise, including the Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Innovation (OVPRI), Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA), and Office of Research Integrity and Compliance, and information security, data governance, and privacy, including Vanderbilt University Information Technology (VUIT), Research IT, and Office of Data and Strategic Analytics (DSA). If expertise aligns, the Assistant General Counsel will also advise on university policies, practices, and strategies that intersect with artificial intelligence. This position collaborates with and advises leaders across the university to protect the best interests of the university. Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel, the Assistant General Counsel will have a responsibility to: Support the university's strategic goals, in particular with respect to research, technology, and privacy-related matters. Assist in the development of the university's data and research compliance regimes by ensuring the university remains abreast of growing legal and regulatory frameworks regarding the appropriate use and security of institutional data. Protect the university’s short- and long-term interests by ensuring that actions taken by or on the behalf of the university comply with university policies and federal, state, and local laws or regulations. Work independently and as part of a team to effectively manage multiple highly sensitive and urgent legal matters with competing and overlapping deadlines, and timely communicate matter status and updates to Vice Chancellors and their teams. Proactively analyze and recommend corrective action and training to ameliorate risk as needed. Utilize creative problem-solving techniques and excellent oral and written communication skills to contribute to the highly collaborative working environment within the Office of the General Counsel and across the university. The Assistant General Counsel may also work within the Office of the General Counsel to provide advice and counsel on a variety of other issues facing academic institutions and large employers, based on the individual’s experience and interests and the needs of the university. About the Work Unit: The Office of the General Counsel provides legal advice to university departments with an awareness of the nuances of client business priorities and with understanding of university business practices. The Office of the General Counsel is committed to agile service delivery aligned with the university's mission, priorities, and needs. All litigation proceedings are managed by the Office of the General Counsel on behalf of the university. The Office of the General Counsel focuses on operational excellence in all we do, which includes: Project management and status updates Technology implementation, use, and analytics Budget containment and outside counsel management Identification of the highest and best use of attorney time Key Functions and Expected Performance: Provides regulatory compliance support and legal counsel to university offices that oversee and manage the conduct of research and technology commercialization; Advises on international research, “foreign influence,” and research security; Reviews research, privacy, export security, and technology elements of supplier agreements and other proposed collaborations with external parties; Prepares comments on proposed federal, state, and local legislation and regulations that may affect the university; Serves as counsel to several university research- and information technology-focused committees, on topics including conflict of interest, research integrity & compliance, technology review committee, informatio