Senior Counsel, National Security

Battelle; Columbus (OH); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Compressed work schedule

Hybrid work model

Paid time off

Medical/Dental/Vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Battelle, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, seeks a Senior Counsel to join its in-house legal team and support the National Security Business Unit. The role partners with internal clients and the legal team to provide proactive, ethical legal advice in a fast-paced environment.

You will handle government contracting matters, review RFPs and data rights, and collaborate across Contracts, Procurement, Business Development and Finance.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree and U.S. law license in good standing (Ohio preferred).
• 5+ years contracting/subcontracting experience with U.S. Government programs.
• Proficient with FAR, DFAR and agency acquisition regulations.
• Experience reviewing RFPs, bid submissions, protests, NDAs, export controls.
• Strong ability to communicate complex legal concepts to diverse audiences.
• Active Top Secret clearance or ability to obtain.

Responsibilities

• Counsel internal clients on legal matters for Battelle’s National Security Business Unit (government contracting as prime/subcontractor).
• Supports procurement and subcontracting; negotiates with external entities on risk and data rights.
• Be a go-to business partner providing practical and timely legal advice.
• Collaborate with Contracts, Procurement, Business Development, Business Unit, IT and Finance teams.
• Develop templates, policies and playbooks; train others and drive efficiency improvements.
• Bring ideas and solutions, not just problems, when working with internal clients.
• Willing to handle simple and complex legal matters with high integrity and discretion.
• Act as a Mission First cultural leader demonstrating Battelle’s values.

Skills

FAR/DFAR expertise

Government contracting

Legal analysis & communication

Collaboration & leadership

Security clearance

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

Battelle delivers when others can’t. We conduct research and development, manage national laboratories, design and manufacture products and deliver critical services for our clients—whether they are a multi-national corporation, a small start-up or a government agency.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Summary

The Senior Counsel will be an integral member of Battelle’s in-house legal team, primarily providing support to Battelle’s National Security Business Unit. This position will report to Battelle’s Deputy General Counsel, Applied Science & Technology (AS&T) and will be responsible for partnering with internal and external business clients and members of the legal team to effectively provide exemplar and proactive legal advice. To succeed in this fast-paced environment requires strong leadership skills, demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively, commitment to innovation and continuous process improvement, and ownership of results.

There is a preference for this position to be based at Battelle’s world headquarters in Columbus, Ohio; however, remote work will be considered for the right candidate.

Responsibilities

• Counsel internal clients on a variety of legal matters germane to Battelle’s National Security Business Unit (i.e., government contracting as a prime contractor or subcontractor with U.S. Government agencies).
• Supports procurement and subcontracting efforts and negotiates with external entities on a variety of issues, including allocation of risks and data rights.
• Be a go-to business partner who is able to provide both practical and timely legal advice.
• Effectively collaborate with internal stakeholders within the Contracts, Procurement, Business Development, Business Unit and Executive Management, Information Technology and Finance teams.
• Assist with development of templates, policies and playbooks; be willing to train others and drive efficiency improvement projects to closure.
• Bring ideas and solutions to the table, not just problems, when working with internal clients.
• Willingness to work on the smallest and simplest, as well as the most complex, legal matters faced by the Battelle.
• Operate at the highest levels of integrity and ethical behavior; exercise impeccable judgment and discretion.
• Act as a Mission First cultural leader consistently demonstrating Battelle’s values and mission.

Key Qualifications

• A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school. Must be licensed to practice law and in good standing in any U.S. State, preferably in Ohio.
• At least 5 years of experience with contracting and subcontracting in support of U.S. Government programs at a nationally recognized law firm and/or as in-house counsel including:
• Expert knowledge and experience working with the FAR, DFAR, and other pertinent agency acquisition regulations.
• Proficient knowledge and experience with reviewing requests for proposals, bid submissions and protests, Organization and Personal Conflicts of Interest compliance, cybersecurity regulations, teaming arrangements, NDAs, SBJV’s, export issues, and performance issues and terminations to minimize liability and risk to Battelle.
• Demonstrated excellence in analyzing legal concepts and ability to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences, at all levels within the organization, from executive leadership to interns, and with all levels of Government agency personnel.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to balance multiple competing priorities.
• Ability to promote and contribute to a collaborative team environment that encourages and supports inclusion to drive innovation and reach the best solutions to complex problems.
• An active U.S. security clearance at the Top Secret level or higher, or the ability to obtain and maintain such.

Preferred Qualifications

• A working knowledge of intellectual property and how to protect it.
• Advanced experience with U.S. Government cyber security regulations and initiatives.
• Comfortable both leading and supporting ethics investigations and voluntary and mandatory disclosures.

Benefits: Live an Extraordinary Life

• Balance life through a compressed work schedule: Most of our team follows a flexible, compressed work schedule that allows for every other Friday off—giving you a dedicated day to accomplish things in your personal life without using vacation time.
• Enjoy enhanced work flexibility, including a hybrid arrangement: You have options for where and when you work. Our Together with Flexibility model allows you to work 60% in-office and 40% remote, with Monday and Tuesday as common in-office days, dependent on team and position needs.
• Take time to recharge: You get paid time off to support work-life balance and keep motivated.
• Prioritize wellness: Stay healthy with medical, dental, and vision coverage with wellness incentives and benefits plus a variety of optional supplemental benefits.
• Better together: Coverage for partners, gender-affirming care and health support, and family formation support.
• Build your financial future: Build financial stability with an industry-leading 401(k) retirement savings plan. For most employees, we put in 5 percent whether you contribute or not, and match your contributions on top of that.
• Advance your education: Tuition assistance is available to pursue higher education.

A Work Environment Where You Succeed

For brilliant minds in science, technology, engineering and business operations, Battelle is the place to do the greatest good by solving humanity’s most pressing challenges and creating a safer, healthier and more secure world.

• Apply your talent to challenging and meaningful projects
• Receive select funding to pursue ideas in scientific and technological discovery
• Partner with world-class experts in a collaborative environment
• Nurture and develop the next generation of scientific leaders
• Give back to and improve our communities

Battelle is an equal opportunity employer. We provide employment and opportunities for advancement, compensation, training, and growth according to individual merit, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, genetic information, disability, veteran-status veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable Federal, state, or local law. Our goal is for each staff member to have the opportunity to grow to the limits of their abilities and to achieve personal and organizational objectives. We will support positive programs for equal treatment of all staff and full utilization of all qualified employees at all levels within Battelle.

The above statements are intended to describe the nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, activities and skills required of staff members.

No statement herein is intended to imply any authorities to commit Battelle unless special written permission is granted by Battelle's Legal Department.

For more information about our other openings, please visit www.battelle.org/careers