Assistant/Associate General Counsel (Labor and Employment)

About the role

Simmons University is located in Boston's historic Fenway area and has a strong tradition of empowering women and challenging traditional gender roles. Founded for equality 125 years ago as one of the first higher education institutions dedicated to helping women become leaders, Simmons now offers Boston's only women's undergraduate program and graduate programs open to all. The university recently launched a six‑school academic structure that leverages expert faculty and longstanding expertise in professions that strengthen the community. Simmons continues to highlight its high‑value education proposition, delivering greater ROI to students and putting them on the fast track to career growth and success. The mission is to prepare students to become social‑justice‑oriented leaders who excel in their professions and communities. Simmons values diversity, equity, and inclusion, encourages applications from all under‑represented groups, and is committed to creating, developing, promoting, and enhancing inclusive hiring practices at all levels.

Simmons University is seeking applications to join the Office of the General Counsel as an Assistant/Associate General Counsel (“AGC”). The selected candidate will be appointed at the Assistant or Associate General Counsel level based on qualifications and relevant experience. The role requires an experienced attorney to provide legal counsel and support on the wide range of legal issues facing an institution of higher education, particularly in the areas of labor relations and employment. The successful candidate will demonstrate experience analyzing complex legal issues and offering appropriate guidance, exercising excellent judgment, using exceptional communication skills, and handling multiple matters simultaneously while working independently to achieve the University’s strategic goals. This individual will provide timely and comprehensive legal advice to the University President and senior administrators, the Board of Trustees, and University faculty and staff, serve as a trusted advisor to the General Counsel, and report directly to the General Counsel.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate, administer, interpret, and enforce the University's two collective bargaining agreements; devise and implement strategies for effective negotiations.
• Advise managers, supervisors, and senior administrators regarding labor issues.
• Manage labor grievances.
• Develop and maintain relationships with Union leadership.
• Develop, train, and provide instruction necessary to support the University's labor relations objectives and ensure the fair, consistent, and efficient administration of its collective bargaining agreements.
• Serve as lead negotiator or counsel in collective bargaining and labor‑management committee matters.
• Prepare and manage University responses and other filings in agency matters and matters in court.
• Represent the University before administrative and governmental agencies, and in court proceedings; hire and manage outside counsel where appropriate and assist with legal and litigation strategy.
• Provide counsel and investigation support on employment law matters, including but not limited to: hiring practices, employee and labor relations, disciplinary actions, terminations, intellectual property, threats of litigation, and employee benefits.
• Conduct investigations and make recommendations relating to claims of unlawful conduct.
• Maintain a current understanding of the local, state, and federal laws and regulations that apply to the University and higher education; interpret the application of such laws and regulations; and educate other members of the University community about them.
• Work with the General Counsel and Secretary to the Board to provide support for the operations of the Simmons University Board of Trustees, including advising on governance matters.
• Assist with policy and procedure review and revisions, and create new policies and procedures as needed.
• Develop and provide training on various legal and compliance issues.
• Advise on a wide range