Associate General Counsel – Transactions

The Pennsylvania State University; Ferguson Township (PA); Remote; USD 173,000 - 308,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Retirement plans

Paid time off

75% tuition discount

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University is seeking an Associate General Counsel – Transactions to provide strategic, practical legal advice on sophisticated commercial and operational matters. This role leads procurement-related matters and supports university missions across education, research, and public service.

Qualifications include a JD, U.S. bar admission (PA eligible), and 6+ years of relevant experience with complex agreements. The university supports flexible work arrangements.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Bar admission in at least one U.S. jurisdiction; ability to become licensed in Pennsylvania.
• Minimum 6 years of relevant legal experience; drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial agreements.

Responsibilities

• Lead drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and advising on complex commercial agreements.
• Advise procurement and purchasing on policies, contracting processes, and vendor relationships.
• Provide legal support for institutional affiliation agreements with diverse partners.
• Offer guidance on risk, governance, and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Communication

Problem-solving

Interpersonal skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

PA Bar Admission

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Associate General Counsel – Transactions provides strategic, practical, and solutions-oriented legal advice to leadership and other University clients on a on complex commercial and operational matters. This position serves as a trusted legal advisor on complex transactional, operational, regulatory, and emerging legal issues, with primary responsibility for commercial transactions and procurement matters. The Associate General Counsel-Transactions collaborates closely with colleagues across the Office of General Counsel and with stakeholders throughout the University to support Penn State's educational, research, and public service missions.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The attorney will lead legal support for sophisticated commercial transactions, including drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and advising on a broad range of agreements typical for large, R1 institutions, including complex contractual relationships with nationally recognized organizations in the areas of athletics, retail services, healthcare, technology, and research as well as on entrepreneurial and innovation initiatives. In addition, the attorney will serve as primary legal counsel to the procurement and purchasing functions, advising on procurement policies, contracting processes, competitive sourcing, vendor relationships, and complex agreements. Finally, the attorney will lead legal support for institutional affiliation agreements, with academic institutions, healthcare providers, governmental entities, nonprofit organizations, and private sector partners. Additional areas of responsibility may include acquisitions and divestitures of university assets; artificial intelligence; and data privacy and information security. In all areas of practice, the attorney will provide practical guidance on risk, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance. The attorney provides timely, practical legal advice that advances University objectives while managing legal and reputational risk; coordinates with outside counsel when appropriate; collaborates with attorneys and professionals across the Office of General Counsel on matters involving overlapping legal disciplines; and performs other duties as assigned.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preferred qualifications include experience advising higher education institutions, academic medical centers, research institutions, or other large complex organizations, as well as experience with procurement, technology transactions, affiliation agreements, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships. Familiarity with privacy, cybersecurity, data governance, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and innovation initiatives is preferred, along with the ability to manage multiple sophisticated matters and work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Required qualifications include a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school, admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, and the ability to become licensed or otherwise authorized to practice in Pennsylvania. Candidates should have a minimum of 6 years of relevant legal experience, demonstrated experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial agreements, and strong analytical, judgment, negotiation, problem-solving, interpersonal, and communication skills.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

If filled as Attorney – General Counsel's Office – Principal Professional, this position requires: Juris Doctor (JD) 8+ years of relevant experience. Required Certifications: Licensed Attorney – Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners.

If filled as Attorney – General Counsel's Office – Senior Professional, this position requires: Juris Doctor (JD) 6+ years of relevant experience. Required Certifications: Licensed Attorney – Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Reporting Relationship The Associate General Counsel-Transactions reports to the Vice President and General Counsel and works closely with University leadership and clients across the Penn State community. Work Environment Flexible – In-Person, Fully Remote, or Hybrid work arrangements may be considered consistent with university policy and operational needs.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $172,788.00 – $308,040.00.

Salary Structure: Information on Penn State's salary structure. Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473. Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster PA State Labor Law Poster Penn State Policies Copyright Information Hotlines There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our 100,000 students and 40,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom – it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. Our ideals stem from our origins as Pennsylvania’s sole land-grant institution, which allow us to continue to bring positive impact to humanity through our teaching, research, and engagement mission. And across the world is a community of Penn Staters – more than half a million strong – driven by that same spirit to serve our local and global communities. At Penn State, passion is met with collaboration in an environment that is rooted in shared pride for the accomplishments of our fellow students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Penn Staters cheer each other on to build a culture committed to service and engagement. Our University values represent our core ethical aspirations for all our daily activities and actions as students, faculty, staff, and volunteers at Penn State. Our values are as follows; Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, Excellence, and Community. We Are Penn State. One Community. Impacting Many.