SPECIAL COUNSEL, HEALTH AFFAIRS, PRIVACY, & DATA PROTECTION

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Position Base: Washington, D.C.
Location: UC - Washington Center

UC OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

At the University of California (UC), your contributions make a difference. A world leader producing Nobel and Pulitzer Prize recipients with over 150 years of groundbreaking research transforming the world. Choose a career where you can leverage your knowledge, skills and aspirations to inspire and support some of the greatest minds in the world, and those who will follow in their footsteps. Working at the University of California is being part of a unique institution, and a vibrant and diverse community. At the University of California, Office of the President, we propel our mission through impactful work locally, in government centers and systemwide. We are passionate people, serving the greater good.

The University of California, one of the largest and most acclaimed institutions of higher learning in the world, is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research and public service. The University of California Office of the President is the headquarters to the 10 campuses, six academic medical centers and three national laboratories and enrolls premier students from California, the nation and the world. Learn more about the UC Office of the President

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

UC Legal - Office of General Counsel is located in Oakland, California, and is staffed with system-wide legal experts who provide an extraordinary range of legal services to the University of California (UC) and its Office of the President, its 10 campuses and 5 medical centers, as well as its reserves and field stations. For more information, visit https://www.ucop.edu/uc-legal/.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Systemwide Chief Health Counsel and Deputy General Counsel, Health Affairs, Privacy and Data Protection, the Special Counsel advises UC Health, Office of the President, Faculty Senate, and other campus and Oakland stakeholders on a broad range of federal civil rights matters, federal investigations, federal health law and regulatory matters, and privacy and cybersecurity affecting the University's academic medical centers, health sciences schools, and other clinical, research, and education operations. Represents the Office of the General Counsel before leadership; serves as UC Legal's representative on systemwide working groups related to federal civil rights matters, federal investigations, and other health law and regulatory matters; provides primary legal support to executive clients, chief health counsels, and UCL in the above areas; functions as a recognized expert and thought leader in federal civil rights and federal investigations; acts independently and with little or no supervision and provides the highest-level legal and strategic advice to C-Suite and other senior executives at UC Health and UC medical centers concerning the above areas; identifies threats and opportunities; develops creative solutions regarding such threats and opportunities; initiates, manages and leads long-term projects of key significance to the University in these areas; and streamlines and improves business and administrative policies, practices, and processes in these areas. Supports Deputy General Counsel, Health Affairs, Privacy & Data Protection in preparing briefings and legal guidance to The Regents of the University of California in the above areas.

The University is one of the leading academic research organizations in the world and is a leader among universities receiving research awards from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and other agencies. See http://research.universityofcalifornia.edu/impact/ for details. The University's academic medical centers form an $11.4 billion healthcare organization, operating premier quaternary medical centers throughout the State; its health sciences education system is the country's largest, with more than 14,000 students enrolled in 18 health professional schools and programs; and it is among the largest recipients of NIH research support in the United States. See http://health.universityofcalifornia.edu/ for details.

Responsibilities

75% Core Client Service

• Establishes effective relationships with key internal and external constituencies.

• Recognizes strategic needs of organization and proactively builds relationships with appropriate stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes.

• Provides highest-level strategic leadership and counsel on federal civil rights matters, federal investigations, federal health legal and regulatory matters, privacy and security, and federal research investigations and compliance, including independently initiating, managing and completing long-term projects, anticipating areas of risk, concern, and/or liability, proposing fully-developed solutions that anticipate challenges, and taking full accountability for recommendations and decisions.

• Works with colleagues at the Office of the President or campus/medical center locations to develop and modify practices and procedures to conform with changing legal requirements.

• Serves as nationwide, recognized expert within the University in all issues related to federal civil rights, federal investigations, and other federal health legal and regulatory matters.

• Independently and with minimal or no supervision advises senior leadership in UC Health and the medical centers and the research enterprise on the above issues.

• Directly negotiates matters on behalf of The Regents.

• May act as a liaison with outside counsel, and/or represent the University in complex regulatory matters, investigations, or litigation.

• Provides guidance to attorneys interested in field of expertise.

• Develops objectives and ensures service according to established priorities.

• Represent institutional concerns persuasively to internal and external parties.

15%

• Streamlines and improves business processes, policies or practices, including identifying threats and opportunities in these areas and providing training and education to executive leadership and developing practical client alerts and tools to ensure compliance.

10% Resource Management

• Typically manages outside counsel budget for area of specialty.

• Prepares cost/benefit proposals concerning areas of work to perform in-house, versus payment for an outside firm.

• Ensures accurate record keeping in compliance with OGC data quality protocols.

• Complies with delegations of authority for committing University funds.

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

• Provides clear expectations and mentors legal support staff to establish strong commitment to teamwork and to meet expected levels of productivity and accuracy.

Experience

• More than 10 years of leadership experience providing strategic legal counsel to senior executives, governance bodies, and employees within the federal government, health care organizations, and/or higher education institutions on federal civil rights matters, federal investigations, federal health legal and regulatory matters, and privacy and cybersecurity required. Experience may be gained in a law firm, federal government, or in-house counsel for an academic institution, corporation or other entity.

Required Qualifications

• Significant experience advising clients on sophisticated and often highly complex matters with minimal preparation time.
• Sufficient understanding of applicable laws, industry practices, and enforcement trends to identify, assess, mitigate and resolve legal risks associated with health system and higher education activities.
• In-depth abilities in collaboration, facilitation, and strategic and creative thinking.
• In-depth understanding of highly complex legal issues and ability to foresee implications in specialty area, even when ambiguous or hidden.
• Advanced interpersonal communication skills, including proven ability to actively listen, negotiate, persuade and educate.
• Skills to gain trust and build credibility with a broad group of colleagues and clients, to include senior leaders.
• Advanced written communication skills and ability to create and deliver effective materials and/or presentations appropriate to a particular audience.
• Advanced research skills; ability to readily identify critical legislative changes in area of specialty.
• In depth decision making ability, even when unpopular, earning credibility and support from colleagues.
• Advanced skills in project management, and facilitating policy review and changes.
• Proven ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion and tact when handling sensitive or potentially sensitive issues.
• Demonstrated commitment to the highest ethical standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to mentor and coach all levels of staff; provide for succession planning in area of specialty.

• Deep understanding of federal government regulatory and investigatory processes, and network within federal government community.

Education

• Advanced degree in a related area required.

Licenses and Certifications

• Member in good standing of D.C., Maryland, or Virginia Bar required.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

This position has been approved for a hybrid work arrangement. The person hired will be required to report to work on-site at the University of California Washington Center located in Washington, D.C. at least two days per week.

Travel Requirements
5% Occasional business travel, most frequently within the state of California to UC campuses or medical centers.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Job Title: Counsel 5
Job Code: 000200
Salary Grade: 30

Payscale: $303,200 - $360,000 annual, commensurate with experience

The University of California, Office of the President, is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

Benefits: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: Benefits of Belonging

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

HOW TO APPLY

Please be prepared to attach a cover letter and resume with your application.

APPLICATION REVIEW DATE

The first review date for this job is June 24, 2026. The position will be open until filled.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check Process: Successful completion of a background check is required for this critical position. Background check process at UCOP

Smoke Free Work Environment: The University of California, Office of the President, is smoke & tobacco-free as of January 1, 2014. UC Smoke & Tobacco Free Policy

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
  • APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

EEO STATEMENT

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

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