Counsel & Chief of Staff

Harvard University FAS Human Resources; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plans with university2

Tuition assistance and reimbursement

Commuter benefits and campus perks

Job summary

Harvard University’s Office of the General Counsel is seeking a Counsel and Chief of Staff to serve as a strategic partner and trusted advisor to the Vice President and General Counsel (VPGC). The position spans complex litigation, strategy, and cross‑functional operations across the University.

The role will help manage OGC workflows, oversee budgets, and coordinate with senior leadership and outside counsel. This is a hybrid schedule in Cambridge with on-site and remote work options.

Qualifications

• JD and a minimum of eight years' experience as an attorney in litigation or related practice area.
• Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills; excellent written and oral communication.
• Experience advising institutions of higher education or complex organizations.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and support to the Vice President and General Counsel.
• Lead strategic and operational initiatives for the Office of the General Counsel.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders and outside counsel on complex matters.

Skills

Legal experience

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

Matter management

e-billing software

Job description

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard University Office of the General Counsel?

Harvard University’s Office of the General Counsel is responsible for all legal work in furtherance of Harvard’s teaching and research mission. The Office strives to render timely and thoughtful advice on the broad range of legal issues that Harvard leadership, administrators, and faculty confront in their work on behalf of the University in a rapidly evolving environment. The Office is comprised of attorneys with experience in private practice, higher education, and government, who are both generalists capable of handling a wide variety of legal matters and specialists with expertise in key areas. We embrace a team culture, collaborating and consulting with colleagues and with outside counsel as appropriate.

Job Description

Harvard University’s Office of the General Counsel is seeking a highly accomplished and organized Counsel and Chief of Staff to serve as a strategic partner and trusted advisor to the Vice President and General Counsel (VPGC). The position is a dual-capacity role operating at the intersection of complex higher education practice, strategy and operations. The successful candidate will identify and evaluate issues and risks presented in complex and consequential litigation and investigation matters in order to provide legal counseling and to serve as a strategic advisor to the VPGC. The Counsel and Chief of Staff also will work with the management team (the VPGC, Deputy General Counsel, Administrative Coordinator, and Practice Coordinator) to oversee the OGC’s large and complex caseload, and plan and implement special initiatives. The role also will help lead legal workflows for initiatives that are cross-cutting or fall outside OGC’s traditional practice groups. This position serves as a key liaison between the VPGC, other members of the OGC, the University’s senior leadership, other University constituents, and outside counsel as needed, coordinating communication, helping ensure timely task completion and follow-through, driving efficiency, and managing critical projects. It is expected that the Counsel and Chief of Staff also may provide legal advice and assistance on legal matters that often will be unusual or novel. Additionally, the role will help coordinate the work of the OGC, identify overarching priorities and risks, allocate resources, and track long-term matters and projects.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

1. Legal Advice & Support:
   • Collaborate in identifying potential legal and regulatory risks, working with OGC attorneys and outside counsel. Provide legal advice and support in collaboration with OGC attorneys.
   • Help manage and coordinate internal legal processes, policy development, and compliance efforts.
   • Using judgment, evaluation and interpretation, independently provide legal advice and support on matters.
2. Strategic and Operational Support:
   • Collaborate closely with the VPGC and the management team to help the OGC effectively and efficiently provide legal advice and support to the University and all its Schools and Units.
   • Collaborate closely with members of the OGC and others across the University to provide insights and recommendations for strategic initiatives, focusing on legal operations, operational efficiency, and risk management.
   • Support the management of the OGC, including facilitating meetings, coordinating resources, and developing strategies to improve team productivity and engagement.
3. Communication & Coordination:
   • Serve as a point of contact between the VPGC, members of the OGC and other internal and external stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and alignment of priorities.
   • Work closely with legal support staff to prioritize the VPGC’s voluminous incoming and outgoing meeting requests.
   • Coordinate with outside counsel as needed.
   • Prepare and review reports, presentations, and memoranda.
4. Legal Operations:
   • Help to oversee the management of legal budgets, resource allocation, and outside counsel relationships.
   • Assist with the implementation of legal technologies and tools to improve workflow and drive efficiencies.
5. Project Management:
   • Lead and manage key projects and initiatives for the OGC, including process improvement and legal technology adoption.
   • Monitor the progress of critical OGC projects, ensuring milestones and deadlines are met.
6. Special Projects:
   • Manage ad-hoc projects as directed by the VPGC.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications a candidate must meet to be considered for this role.

• JD and a minimum of eight years' experience as an attorney in litigation or a related practice area or other relevant experience. Judicial clerkships may count toward years of experience. Admission to practice in Massachusetts or readiness to obtain admission to practice within one year.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

Strong interpersonal and diplomacy skills. Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including the ability to present to senior leadership and various other stakeholders. Experience advising institutions of higher education or other complex organizations. Ability to track, steward and properly prioritize a high volume of competing, complex and often sensitive matters in a fast-paced environment. Interest in identifying and helping to implement technology to enhance legal support and operations, such as matter management systems and e-billing software. Interest in identifying and helping to implement improvements to workflow management and other internal processes as legal needs evolve. Strong research, analytical, and writing skills. Good judgment and ability to work independently as well as cooperatively with others. Fluency in the litigation process.

Additional Information

• Interview Process:Candidates selected for further consideration may be required to submit additional materials/writing samples and/or complete assessments or presentations as part of the hiring process.Our interview process may include both virtual interviews via Zoom and in-person interviews.
• Work location :This position involves a hybrid work schedule (currently three days onsite/two days remote). The Office of the General Counsel may alter this schedule as the office’s needs and circumstances change. Employees will be expected to commute to the office in Cambridge as required.Complying with the office’s work location requirements is a condition of continued employment.
• Visa Sponsorship: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screenings (Identity, Education)
• Other Information:This position will have a 3-month orientation and review period.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 062. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.