University Procurement Counsel

University-of-North-Carolina-At-Chapel-Hil; Chapel Hill (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

PeopleAdmin, Inc. seeks a University Procurement Counsel to provide legal advice on procurement contracts and related matters within UNC-Chapel Hill. The role supports compliance with state laws, regulations, and University policy, educating campus units and handling complex contracting needs.

The position involves collaboration across units, expansion of procurement activities, and ensuring risk mitigation through sound contracting practices, under the supervision of University Counsel.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Licensed and in good standing to practice law in North Carolina, or able to become licensed in North Carolina within one year of joining the University.
• Master’s or Bachelor’s and 0-2 years’ experience; or combination of related education and experience in substitution.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice regarding procurement-related matters for contracts flowing through the Department of Purchasing Services.
• Educate and coordinate legal advice across the University’s procurement transactions.
• Help expand contracting work to higher volume and complexity, including multi-party contracts and ITS-related agreements.
• Collaborate with University departments, the System Office, and other State agencies to ensure compliance with applicable laws and policies.

Skills

Procurement law

Contract negotiation

Legal advising

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC -Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package , paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

Procurement and Strategic Operations oversees the University’s procurement processes and travel operations and designs and implements University-wide data driven strategic sourcing operation that is integrated with exceptional payment services.

Position Summary

The University Procurement Counsel is responsible for providing legal advice regarding procurement-related matters for procurement contracts flowing through the Department of Purchasing Services. The position includes (i) advising on Finance & Operations (‘F&O’) procurement transactions as part of the F&O team under the supervision of Office of University Counsel (‘ OUC ’), and (ii) serving as the unit counselor and for the F&O’s procurement office, ensuring updated compliance with all state and federal laws, rules and regulations, and University policy. University Procurement Counsel will review and advise on variety of matters, including purchasing agreements, independent contractor agreements, software licenses, NDAs, consulting agreements, authorized vendor relationships, equipment loans, template residential lease agreements, facilities use agreements, accounts payable policies, community collaborator agreements, executive search firm agreements, exhibition agreements, performance/speaker agreements, and certain ITS agreements.

Additional duties of the position include:

• Integration of legal expertise in educating, tracking, and coordinating legal advice regarding the management of all procurement-related transactions across various business units within the University;
• Increased volume and complexity of procurement contracts, beyond those limited to F&O, to include complex multi-party contracts; expanding information technology, health affairs, and research needs, including but not limited to contracts involving private industry, both nationally and internationally.
• Responsibility to educate and support all contracting units campus wide in areas such as contract and solicitation (e.g., RFP , RFI ) development; clinical research and special contracts; process improvement, wherever possible, to identify high risk situations and work to mitigate risk; and to collaborate with University departments, the System Office, and other State agencies to create a centralized system to serve as a University resource to ensure compliance with applicable State law, administrative code, regulations, policies and procedures.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Master’s or Bachelor’s and 0-2 years’ experience; or will accept a combination of related education and experience in substitution.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
Licensed and in good standing to practice law in North Carolina, or able to become licensed in North Carolina within one year of joining the University.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Strong background and knowledge of procurement and government contracting laws and regulations.
Experience working for a public agency or educational institution.
Ability to use effective approaches for choosing a course of action, developing appropriate solutions, and/or reaching conclusions.
Sufficient knowledge of client program, organization, and culture to provide appropriate advice and counsel.
Ability to develop plans to accomplish unit objectives and requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Required Documents

• Curriculum Vitae / Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of References

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Please select the response below that describes your level of education that best or most closely satisfies the education requirements for this position.
  • Bachelor’s degree in required discipline(s) listed or related field
  • Bachelor's degree in any field/discipline
  • Master's degree or Doctorate degree in required discipline(s) listed or related field
  • Master's degree or Doctorate degree in any field/discipline
  • None of the above
• * Describe your experience reviewing, drafting, and negotiating contracts:

  (Open Ended Question)

• * What experience do you have working in higher education or in a public-sector environment?

  (Open Ended Question)