• Job Description

  Req#: REQ_0000042254

  APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

  • CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

  • CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

  • If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

  JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

  The Pennsylvania State University invites applications and nominations for the position of Vice President and General Counsel. The Vice President and General Counsel serves as the University’s chief legal officer, reports directly to the President and the Board of Trustees, and is a member of the President’s Council, which is the senior leadership team of the University.

  The Office of General Counsel is located at both the University Park and the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center campuses of Penn State. Penn State is a comprehensive research university, comprised of 24 campuses throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and is the land-grant university in Pennsylvania. The broad range of issues faced by the VP and General Counsel reflects the complex nature of an institution with 96,000 students, more than 40,000 full- and part-time employees, an international research enterprise, intercollegiate athletics, and a major academic medical center.

  The mission of the Office is to provide the highest quality legal services to the University in a responsible, constructive and timely manner; to protect and promote the mission and values of the University, including compliance with its obligations and protection and promotion of its interests; to minimize legal risks and costs; and to address and resolve legal disputes. Consistent with the mission and best interests of the University, including its duties to follow the law and meet its obligations to the public, governments and third parties, the lawyers in the General Counsel’s Office strive to be problem solvers; to engage in strategic thinking with the University decision makers; to defend the interests of the University and its constituents; to protect and promote integrity and ethical conduct; to practice preventive law; and to assist the University’s Board of Trustees, President, officers, faculty and staff to accomplish their institutional objectives. In undertaking the work of the Office, the Vice President and General Counsel coordinates with other University officials, including the President, other members of the President’s Council, the Director of Internal Audit, and the Director of Ethics and Compliance, as necessary and appropriate.

  
  The ideal candidate will have proven experience managing a large corporate or centralized institutional legal office. They will be an effective leader and an exceptional communicator, as well as a champion for diversity, fostering equity and achieving inclusion. The successful candidate will have earned a JD from an ABA accredited school of law and admission to the Pennsylvania Bar or eligibility to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through a reciprocal arrangement in another state.

  The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusive excellence that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusive excellence as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

  
  Applications should include a detailed curriculum vitae and a letter of interest that highlights the applicant’s personal vision and relevant leadership experience. To ensure full consideration, inquiries, nominations, and applications should be submitted electronically in confidence, by May 24, to:

  PSU-VPGC@kornferry.com

  Ken Kring, Senior Client Partner, Victoria Antolini, Principal, And Lori Hemmer, Senior Associate

  Global Education Practice, Korn Ferry, Philadelphia, PA

  *Candidates are not required to apply in Workday. Submitting materials to Korn Ferry is sufficient.

  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.

  Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

  EEO IS THE LAW

  Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action 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.

  Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster

  PA State Labor Law Poster

  Affirmative Action

  Penn State Policies

  Copyright Information

  Hotlines

  University Park, PA

• About the company

  The Pennsylvania State University is a state-related, land-grant research university with campuses and facilities throughout Pennsylvania.

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