Associate General Counsel

Rutgers University; New Brunswick (NJ); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 253,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, prescription drug, and dental

Paid vacation, holidays, and leave

Competitive retirement benefits

Educational benefits

Life insurance

Employee discount programs

Job summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, seeks an Associate General Counsel for the Office of the General Counsel (OGC). This role handles broad transactional matters including research, IP licensing, technology transfer, data rights, procurement, and governance.

You will negotiate and draft licenses and various contracts, supporting internal clients with timely advice. The ideal candidate holds a law degree and is admitted in New Jersey or will be, with extensive relevant experience and a

Qualifications

• A law degree (JD, LLM, or similar) from an accredited law school.
• Seven (7) years of relevant experience and NJ admission or eligibility.
• Superior academic credentials with excellent writing and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Independently manages a large transactional portfolio including research, IP/licensing, and procurement.
• Negotiates and drafts license agreements, contracts, and RFPs with rapid internal counsel support.
• Provides legal advice on risk, governance, ethics, and conflicts of interest.
• Participates in strategy development and represents the University in hearings.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Legal advice

Communication skills

Writing skills

Strategic judgment

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

LL.M.

Tools

Westlaw

e-Billing software

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Job description

Position Details

Overview

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national research university and the State of New Jersey's preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. As one of the largest employers in the State of New Jersey, Rutgers University is committed not only to the students and the State that we serve, but also to the faculty and staff who work on our campuses.For two consecutive years, Rutgers is ranked on Forbes' list of America's Best Large Employers. Rutgers holds #64 of 500 employers and is the #1 New Jersey employer on the publication's 2023 list. Rutgers' commitment to its employees includes maintaining and fostering a safe, diverse, and respectful workplace environment, creating employment opportunities for our nation's military veterans, and ensuring accessibility and accommodation for individuals with disabilities.

Posting Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking an Associate General Counsel for the Office of the General Counsel (OGC). Reporting into the GC, the Associate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel - Transactional Group (DGC), and/or the Chief of Staff of the General Counsel's Office (COS), the Associate General Counsel for the Transactional Group should have a strong general transactional experience, particularly in research, intellectual property and licensing, technology transfer and commercialization, data rights, procurement, corporate governance, real estate, and ethical and conflict-of-interest issues. The position involves independent management of complex commercial transactions and negotiation and drafting of license agreements, procurement contracts and competitive solicitation documents (RFPs), and a variety of other contracts, as well as the provision of legal advice to all University clients on a quick turnaround. In addition to the core areas above, this attorney handles a wide range of transactional work, from equipment purchases to complex multi-institutional collaborations and affiliations. This position handles the range of matters that in-house legal offices at a large public university encounter in the areas of interest noted above, including contract negotiation and drafting, providing advice and counsel to internal clients, and participating in strategy development with other Office of General Counsel colleagues and internal clients. The position also represents the University in administrative and regulatory hearings arising from these transactional and regulatory matters.

Among the key duties of the position are the following:

• Independently handles a large portfolio of transactional matters, primarily focusing on research, intellectual property and licensing, technology transfer and commercialization, data rights, and corporate governance. This involves being an active partner with University clients on strategy development, provision of legal advice and counseling on risk positions, then negotiation, drafting and oversight of license agreements and a wide variety of other University contracts relating to the core areas.
• Provides legal input and advice on other legal transactions in areas such as procurement, compliance, real estate, athletics, equipment leasing, health care contracts, etc. This involves being an active partner with University clients on strategy development, provision of legal advice and counseling on risk positions, then negotiation, drafting and oversight of license agreements and a wide variety of other University contracts relating to the core areas.
• Provides legal input and advice on ethics issues, conflicts of interest laws, and corporate governance issues.
• Other duties, including office-wide projects and initiatives, as assigned by the GC, DGC, and/or the COS.

Salary Details

• Minimum Salary: 165269.000
• Mid Range Salary: 209187.000
• Maximum Salary: 253104.000

Offer Information

The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate's qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university's broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs

Position Status

Full Time

Working Hours

Standard Hours: 37.50

Work Arrangement

Consistent with the current application of Rutgers Policy 60.3.22 or the applicable provisions of relevant collective negotiations agreements, this position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Flexible work arrangements are not permanent, subject to change or discontinuation, and contingent on the employee receiving approval in the FlexWork@RU Application System.

Union Description

Administrators Confidential

Payroll Designation

PeopleSoft

Terms of Appointment

Staff - 12 month

Position Pension Eligibility

ABP

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• A law degree (Juris Doctor, Master of Laws, Doctor of Juridical Science, etc.) from an accredited law school.
• Seven (7) years of relevant experience and either be admitted to practice law in New Jersey or be admitted in another jurisdiction and be willing and able to become admitted in New Jersey as soon as practical.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ten (10) years of relevant experience in one or more of the areas noted in the posting summary above.
• Experience representing public or private institutions of higher education or working as inhouse counsel at an institution of higher education, or in-house experience in another setting where the main responsibility was handing the legal areas noted above.
• Experience representing public sector clients, particularly New Jersey public sector entities, or working as an attorney in the public sector.
• Superior academic credentials.
• Excellent communication skills and excellent writing skills.
• Ability to work independently and also collaboratively in a large and complex organization.
• Strategic decision-making and independent sound judgment when faced with complex and nuanced factual scenarios.
  A genuine desire to work in a higher education environment.
  Ability to work with a sense of urgency and passion for delivering quality advice and work products.

Equipment Utilized

• Electronic document management system (e.g. NetDocuments) - creating, scanning, searching, and retrieving documents
• Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, electronic file share platforms (e.g., Box)
• e-Billing software - legal invoice review and approval of matters
• Westlaw - online legal research software
• Zoom, Webex, Microsoft Teams

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• As would be commensurate with an office environment, such as occasional lifting of file boxes and supplies.

Posting Details

Posting Number

26ST1816

Posting Open Date

09/22/2026

Regional Campus

Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Home Location Campus

Rutgers University - New Brunswick

City

New Brunswick

State

NJ

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement