PRINCIPAL COUNSEL, BUSINESS, TRANSACTIONS, AND INNOVATION

Location: Oakland
Job ID: 31898
Job Posting

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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

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Managing Counsel, the Principal Counsel will provide legal advice on a variety of highly complex corporate transactions for clients across the UC system and particularly matters within the purview of the University's Office of the Chief Investment Officer ('UC Investments'). Responsibilities require knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies applicable to a broad range of investment transaction issues, including, but not limited to, highly complex corporate transactional, finance, and investment matters. The Principal Counsel will draft, review, and revise a variety of agreements involving the University's interests, such as investment contracts and policies. UC Investments manages a global portfolio of investments, including retirement, endowment, and cash assets with an aggregate value in excess of $170 billion. These investments include equities, fixed-income securities, alternative assets (e.g., private equity, public equity, fixed income, private credit, real assets, real estate, absolute return, and derivative strategies), as well as liquidity portfolios.

By practicing UC Legal's established values, all team members are expected to promote diversity and maintain a workplace that is collaborative, supportive, respectful of differences, and committed to fairness and diversity in all interactions, both within and outside the team.

Responsibilities

• Provides practical, actionable, and timely legal advice, counsel, and support on a variety of highly complex corporate transactional, finance, and investment matters related to UC Investments matters under the supervision of the Deputy General Counsel and/or Managing Counsel, BTI.
• Directly and independently structures, documents, and negotiates legal matters and handles projects on behalf of The Regents and UC Investments as they pertain to various corporate and investment transactions.
• Provides research and advice on legal issues affecting University investments, including for special projects, such as joint ventures, equity investments and disposals, and similar matters.
• Coordinates with individual University campuses on campus-based startups and equity-related matters.
• Creates and updates standard form investment and related transactions agreements.
• Establishes legal and compliance policies and procedures that meet applicable regulatory requirements; tests the operative effectiveness of those policies and procedures; and conducts appropriate training.
• Assists in the preparation of board papers and materials.
• Participates in development of legal strategy and execution of transactions.
• Implements a contract management system and process.
• Assists UC Investments on compliance matters such as insider trading reporting policy and reporting procedures, personal trading, etc.
• Plans and assists in due diligence; actively manages deal processes and execution.
• Advises and renders opinions to senior leaders with respect to the legal implications of establishing or changing policy.
• Works with colleagues in the UC Office of the President to develop and modify practices and procedures to conform with changing legal requirements.
• Advises officers and senior managers of corporate legal responsibilities.
• Keeps informed on changing legislation and case law development in the area of corporate, finance, and investment transactions.
• Establishes effective relationships with key internal and external constituencies by recognizing strategic needs of organization and proactively building relationships with appropriate stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes.
• Directly negotiates matters on behalf of The Regents.
• Provides functional advice, training and/or guidance and effectively mentors less-experienced attorneys.
• Develops objectives and ensures service according to established priorities; delegates work effectively to maximize efficiencies.
• Makes recommendations 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.
• Acts as a liaison with retained outside counsel and manages outside counsel budget.

Required Qualifications

• At least eight years of relevant in-house or law firm experience with corporate transactional and investment matters; must have extensive transactional experience.
• Significant experience with legal aspects of fund investments, direct investments, real estate transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and/or corporate finance
• In-depth capabilities in collaboration, facilitation, and strategic and creative thinking
• A proven team player with a positive attitude and strong interpersonal communication skills, including proven ability to actively listen, negotiate, persuade, and educate
• Experience in review, drafting, and negotiation of: a broad range of general corporate and fund-related contracts, including fund investment (e.g., mutual funds, hedge funds, private equity funds, real estate funds, distressed debt funds, fund of funds, etc.); direct investments, including venture financing transactions; investment, hedging, futures, and similar accounts; agreements with bank and broker-dealer counterparts; term sheets and letters of intent; mergers and acquisitions; dispositions; real property transactions; consulting and professional service arrangements; agreements relating to trading, risk management, and data management functions, including software license and other vendor agreements; confidentiality agreements; and related corporate actions
• In-depth understanding of highly complex legal issues and ability to foresee implications in the University setting and institutional concerns, even when ambiguous or hidden
• Excellent decision-making ability, even when unpopular, earning credibility and support from colleagues
• Advanced interpersonal communication skills, including proven ability to actively listen, negotiate, persuade, and educate
• Advanced written communication skills and ability to create and deliver effective materials and/or presentations appropriate to various audiences, including senior leaders and technical experts
• Advanced skills in project management and in facilitating policy review and changes
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and credibility with a broad group of colleagues, clients, and other stakeholders, including senior leadership
• Demonstrated commitment to the highest ethical standards
• Demonstrated commitment to workplace diversity and equality
• Proven ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion and tact when handling sensitive or potentially sensitive issues
• Willingness to work in the office at a minimum on an as-needed basis
• Strong understanding of applicable securities regulations, corporate transactional, investment, finance and contract laws, relevant enforcement trends, and strategies to manage related risks
• Experience in negotiating equity-based financing transactions

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in the legal department of an investment management firm, investment bank, or other financial institution
• General private corporate/business transactions experience, including experience in advising on incubators, accelerators, and similar startup frameworks
• Experience working for other clients that are educational institutions, startups, or investors
• International transactional experience
• Institutional knowledge of the University of California's equity-related policies and procedures or similar higher education experience
• Experience working with both private and public/governmental entities and/or experience with local, federal, and/or UC policy
• Ability to mentor and coach all levels of staff and to provide for succession planning

Education: Must possess a J.D. from an accredited law school.

License/Certifications: Must be a member in good standing of the California Bar. (Out-of-state hire would be afforded time to pass the Bar within a reasonable period.)

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Due to COVID-19, work for this position is being performed remotely. The selected candidate may be required to report to work in-person in Oakland, CA when onsite operations begin.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary: $198,000 - $235,000, commensurate with experience

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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

UC Legal delivers ethical, timely, efficient and high quality legal services to the University of California's ten campuses, five medical centers, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, as well as to the Board of Regents, the President, the Chancellors and other officers of the University. Its services include prosecuting and defending litigation, drafting and negotiating agreements, providing advice, counsel and interpretation of laws, regulations and policies, and assisting with development of effective compliance and risk mitigation strategies to facilitate the University's complex operations.

The Business, Transactions, and Innovation (BTI) practice group handles a broad range of matters, including, but not limited to, transactions involving innovative research, joint ventures, collaborations, international activities, public finance, investments, intellectual property, laboratory affairs, energy, tax-exempt organizations, charitable giving, trusts and estates and institutional advancement.

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 March 11, 2022.

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

August 2021 Update: The University of California has issued a policy requiring employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID -19 before physically accessing the University location or programs. Upon hire into a UCOP position, you will be provided detailed instructions on how to comply with this policy including access to the COVID vaccination at no cost. New hires to UCOP who work onsite or will come onsite for any activities at a UCOP or other UC location must comply with this policy within 8 weeks after their start date. The policy allows for employees to request approval for an exception or deferral. UC COVID-19 Vaccine Policy

EEO STATEMENT

The University of California, Office of the President, is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. EEO/AA Employer UC Nondiscrimination Policy

The University of California, Office of the President, strives to make this job board accessible to any and all users. If you have comments regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us at: Accessibility or email the Human Resource Department at: epost@ucop.edu

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To apply, visit https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psp/ucop/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=19&JobOpeningId=31898&PostingSeq=1jeid-49e4c4629218b644a9a965096a7f8dbc





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