The Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and General Counsel (OGC) at The City University of New York (CUNY) is the system-wide resource for legal advice and representation. The OGC assists CUNY???s decision makers in advancing the University???s educational mission by providing expert, relevant and timely legal advice, guidance, and advocacy. The OGC provides legal assistance and advice to the Board of Trustees, the University???s central administration and its 25 constituent colleges, and its services touch all operational areas of the University and its campuses.
CUNY seeks a University Associate General Counsel specializing in the real estate practice area to join its Business Affairs Unit and provide in-house legal analysis, advice and representation on a broad array of real estate, development, transactional, and policy matters, including lease and contract negotiation, drafting, and compliance. Through this attorney position, OGC also provides services to is Facilities Planning and Construction Management division, which manages CUNY's capital construction program. In addition to the job summary and CUNY Title Overview, the Associate General Counsel for Real Estate will continue to provide assistance to University and campus administrators on critical business issues, especially commercial real estate transactional matters, leasing acquisitions and dispositions, development, publicprivate partnerships, financing, property management, land use, easements and liens. The position reports a Senior University Associate General Counsel in the Business Affairs Unit.
NOTES: 1) Until further notice, this is a hybrid position, eligible to work remotely and work on-site in the office. 2) This position is excluded from union representation in the collective bargaining unit.
QUALIFICATIONS
MINIMUM
Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA-accredited law school and five (5) years' experience practicing law in a directly related practice area.
Current New York State Bar membership in good standing, or admission in another jurisdiction with eligibility for admission to the NYS bar through reciprocity or passing of the NYS bar exam within one year of hire date.
PREFERRED
At least 5 years of experience as a practicing commercial attorney.
Legal expertise and significant experience in the following areas:
commercial real estate transactions, including acquisition and disposition of real estate, development and financing, and commercial leasing;
commercial construction litigation including a broad array of real estate projects including construction projects, contracting, and procurement, particularly in the public sector;
commercial transactions with public and private entities, grant agreements, and intergovernmental agreements;
public procurement (especially with New York State and New York City), including negotiation of documents with technical and complex specifications/scopes of work and legal terms;
public-private partnerships;
gifts, trusts, and estates, particularly with higher education institutions; federal, state, and local laws related to higher education institutions.
The successful candidate will also demonstrate:
Effective writing skills with ability to draft contracts, policies and procedures, create education/training curriculum and summarize and present information to various audiences.
Strong interpersonal communication, negotiation, mediation, conflict/dispute resolution, group facilitation, consensus building and client counseling and presentation skills with a collaborative style to work effectively with diverse internal and external constituents.
Detail-oriented and accurate with objective critical thinking skills and strong analytical and evaluative skills.
Strong organizational and follow-through skills to prioritize work, manage multiple assignments, and meet deadlines.
Computer proficiency using legal software (Westlaw, Lexis, Workshare Compare, Clearwell) and administrative systems, databases and programs, plus virtual collaboration and meeting tools (Office 365, MS Teams, Zoom, WebEx).
CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW
Provides professional in-house legal advice, representation, and assistance on a wide variety of issues and participates in evaluating and developing University policy related to legal matters.
Represents the University and its campuses at various types of internal and external meetings, negotiations, proceedings, and other activities
Provides legal counsel and guidance to University and campus leadership
Assists outside counsel and works as a team with other in-house and college attorneys
Provides legal and policy analysis of issues and participates in developing and drafting policy
May be assigned to one or more area of legal specialization as detailed below under Campus-Specific information
May supervise non-attorney staff and/or student employees
Performs other related duties, as assigned
CUNY TITLE
Higher Education Officer
FLSA
Exempt
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The salary range is $141,858, - $150,000 (subject to University approvals), commensurate with qualifications and experience.
CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.
HOW TO APPLY
For full consideration, submit a cover letter and resume online via CUNY's web-based job system, addressing how your experience and credentials fulfill the responsibilities and qualifications outlined. The direct link to the job opening from external sources is:
Current CUNY employees must apply through CUNYfirst Employee Self Service using your login credentials. After you login to CUNYfirst, navigate to job openings by following the path from the Main Menu: Employee Self Service ???>Careers
CLOSING DATE
Open until filled. The review of applications will begin on or after September 18, 2023
JOB SEARCH CATEGORY
CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.
About CUNY City University of New York (System Level)
The City University of New York provides high-quality, accessible education for more than 269,000 degree-credit students and 270,000 adult, continuing and professional education students at 25 campuses across New York City. The University is an integrated system of senior and community colleges, graduate and professional schools, research centers, institutes and consortia. From certificate courses to Ph.D. programs, CUNY offers postsecondary learning to students of all backgrounds. It provides the city with graduates trained for high-demand positions in the sciences, technology, mathematics, teaching, nursing and other fields. As CUNY has grown, the University also has strengthened its mission as a premier research institution, building an array of modern facilities and expanding the ranks of its world-class faculty. Throughout its history, the University has been an integral part of the city and state through partnerships with public schools, economic development initiatives, immigration aid and financial advice services and other community outreach programs. Today, CUNY faculty and staff continue to benefit New York City — as well as the entire nation — by serving as policy exper...ts to business and government, advisers to nonprofit institutions, civic organizations and community groups. Students, too, are strongly encouraged to experience the cultural, educational and community-based opportunities of the five boroughs, through a network of internships and fellowships, to embracing the city as their campus.