Job Details

Managing Counsel 3

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. The University of California Office of the President is theheadquarters to the 10 campuses, six academic medical centers and three national laboratories and enrolls premier students from California, the nation and the world.

UC Legal - Office of the General Counsel (UCL) provides legal services to the university, including representation, advice, research and training. We also provide legal opinions to the Board of Regents, administration, faculty, staff and others acting on the university's behalf. We report jointly to the Board of Regents and the president.

Position Summary

Manages risk litigation practice areas relating to the University's self-insured liability programs (Employment Practices Liability (EPL), General Liability (GL), and Professional Medical and Hospital Liability (PMHL)), including supervising team of in-house litigators, as well as providing direct client service. Serves as a resource to subordinates on highly complex legal matters or problems involving the Risk Litigation practice areas; advises and renders opinions to senior management with respect to the legal implications of establishing or changing policy; works with representatives of the campus on developing and modifying practices and procedures to conform with legal requirements. Acts as liaison with outside legal firms and oversees retention of legal counsel, including via law firm panels. Exercises settlement authority pursuant to delegated authority. Represents the organization and oversees outside counsel in certain litigation. Keeps informed on legislation and case law developments affecting overall operations of the University or the Risk Litigation legal practice areas. Manages Fiat Lux captive insurance relationship for UC Legal in coordination with the Office of Risk Services (OPRS). Expert in related insurance and insurance coverage issues.

Responsibilities

• 50% 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.
• 35% 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.
• 15% 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.

Required Qualifications

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.

Preferred Qualifications

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. Education: Advanced degree in a related area required. License/Certifications: Must be a member in good standing of the California Bar.

Travel Requirements

5% Infrequent travel for litigation or client meetings, as necessary. Possible travel related to Fiat Lux board meetings.

Special Conditions

The person hired will be required to reside within California and report to work on-site at UC's Office of the President (UCOP) located in Oakland, CA on a regular basis. Current policy requires that a new employee work on-site at least two days per week on Tuesday and Wednesdays ("anchor days"). In exceptional circumstances, approved by the General Counsel, candidates residing in or willing to relocate to California may be considered for a fully remote work arrangement.

Salary and Benefits

Salary Grade: Grade 31 Payscale: $310,000 - $332,000 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

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 January 5, 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. 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