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UCAR - The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Senior Associate Counsel

UCAR - The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado, United States, 80301

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Senior Associate Counsel

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UCAR - The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Job Description Summary: As Senior Associate Counsel, you will provide high-level, sensitive, and confidential labor and employment law advice and related compliance advice to executive leadership, including the Chief Legal Officer, the Office of the President, the UCAR Community Programs (UCP) Director, the NSF NCAR Director, and the UCAR Board of Directors. In addition to labor and employment matters, you will collaborate with other attorneys and staff within the Office of General Counsel (OGC) on a variety of legal issues, including ad hoc assignments which may be outside your primary practice area. You may also oversee the work of other OGC attorneys and staff, as well as contribute to or lead the implementation of administrative process improvements and the advancement of OGC team goals. This is a hybrid role, with three weekly in-office days in Boulder, CO required.

Position Details

Visa Sponsored Job: No

Relocation Assistance Eligible: Yes

Job Location: Boulder, Colorado

Position Type & Term: Full time, Regular

Compensation Range: Salary Range $175,000 - $210,000

What You Will Do Here is a brief summary of what one would expect to be generally responsible for in this role.

Legal Advice and Compliance

Provide high-level legal advice and counsel on labor and employment laws and regulations.

Ensure the organization’s compliance with federal, state, and local labor and employment laws and regulations.

Proactively develop and implement labor and employment policies and procedures to mitigate legal risks and promote compliance.

Provide training on labor and employment matters as needed.

HR and Business Partnering

Collaborate daily with HR to address labor and employment issues and align strategies with business objectives.

Provide proactive legal support and strategic advice on leaves and accommodations, discipline and discharge, workforce planning, talent management, compensation and benefits, and organizational change (including layoffs and reorganizations).

Work closely with the HR Compliance Manager and HR Operations on HR compliance matters.

Executive Leadership Advice and Counsel

Provide high-level, confidential labor and employment advice to executive leadership, including the Chief Legal Officer, Office of the President, UCP Director, NSF NCAR Director, and the UCAR Board of Directors.

Investigations

Advise on internal investigations related to labor and employment matters and research misconduct, working with the HR team.

Advise on hotline disclosures and manage internal investigations and resolution of hotline complaints.

Manage external counsel and/or investigators as approved.

Oversee employment-related litigation and pre-litigation matters; draft agency responses (e.g., EEOC); coordinate with outside counsel and insurance carriers as needed.

Employment Agreements

Review, advise, and/or draft employment-related agreements (offer letters, contracts, consulting and other agreements, separation and severance agreements, etc.).

Benchmark to ensure employment agreements align with best practices and standards.

Policy Development and Management

Develop, draft, review, and update personnel policies; collaborate with leadership on policy implementation.

International Advice and Counsel

Provide labor and employment advice to UCAR, UCP, and NSF NCAR international programs; coordinate in-country outside counsel.

Collaboration within OGC

Collaborate with other OGC attorneys on matters beyond labor and employment; oversee OGC staff as it relates to labor and employment matters; contribute to process improvements.

Qualifications Education and Experience

J.D. degree.

At least 10 years of focused experience in employment law and related areas, including drafting contract terms and leading sophisticated negotiations.

Admission and license to practice law in the State of Colorado in good standing, or eligible to obtain a single client license within four months.

Preferred, Not Required

Bachelor’s degree in a scientific, technical, or business field.

Experience in scientific research or educational environments.

International employment law experience; privacy law experience; other compliance areas outside employee relations.

Experience managing attorneys or legal staff; familiarity with current Colorado employment law.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Significant experience collaborating with HR and with executives and senior leaders.

Proven track record in managing complex employment litigation and advising on a wide range of labor and employment issues.

Experience managing outside counsel, external investigators, and insurance carriers.

Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws; excellent negotiation, communication, and writing skills; sound judgment under pressure and deadlines; attention to detail; high ethical standards and confidentiality.

Benefits Overview UCAR offers competitive benefits including medical, dental, vision, retirement, life insurance, and programs focused on work-life balance and professional development. Examples include:

Tuition Assistance and other professional development opportunities

Retirement contributions of 10% of eligible pay, fully vested on day one

Starting accrual of 20 days of personal time off per year

10 paid holidays, 10 days of sick leave, 12 weeks of paid parental leave

Short-term medical leave paid at 100%

EcoPass for local transit (Denver/Boulder area) at no cost

Additional Information Commitment to job application fairness. UCAR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All positions within the U.S. are performed within the U.S. unless stated otherwise. Please consider visa wait times when applying.

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