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POSITION SPECIFICS
The Associate General Counsel – Transactions provides strategic, practical, and solutions-oriented legal advice to leadership and other University clients on a on complex commercial and operational matters. This position serves as a trusted legal advisor on complex transactional, operational, regulatory, and emerging legal issues, with primary responsibility for commercial transactions and procurement matters. The Associate General Counsel-Transactions collaborates closely with colleagues across the Office of General Counsel and with stakeholders throughout the University to support Penn State's educational, research, and public service missions.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The attorney will lead legal support for sophisticated commercial transactions, including drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and advising on a broad range of agreements typical for large, R1 institutions, including complex contractual relationships with nationally recognized organizations in the areas of athletics, retail services, healthcare, technology, and research as well as on entrepreneurial and innovation initiatives.
In addition, the attorney will serve as primary legal counsel to the procurement and purchasing functions, advising on procurement policies, contracting processes, competitive sourcing, vendor relationships, and complex agreements.
Finally, the attorney will lead legal support for institutional affiliation agreements, with academic institutions, healthcare providers, governmental entities, nonprofit organizations, and private sector partners.
Additional areas of responsibility may include acquisitions and divestitures of university assets; artificial intelligence; and data privacy and information security.
In all areas of practice, the attorney will provide practical guidance on risk, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance. The attorney provides timely, practical legal advice that advances University objectives while managing legal and reputational risk; coordinates with outside counsel when appropriate; collaborates with attorneys and professionals across the Office of General Counsel on matters involving overlapping legal disciplines; and performs other duties as assigned.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Preferred qualifications include experience advising higher education institutions, academic medical centers, research institutions, or other large complex organizations, as well as experience with procurement, technology transactions, affiliation agreements, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships. Familiarity with privacy, cybersecurity, data governance, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and innovation initiatives is preferred, along with the ability to manage multiple sophisticated matters and work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Required qualifications include a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school, admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, and the ability to become licensed or otherwise authorized to practice in Pennsylvania. Candidates should have a minimum of 6 years of relevant legal experience, demonstrated experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial agreements, and strong analytical, judgment, negotiation, problem-solving, interpersonal, and communication skills.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as Attorney - General Counsel's Office - Principal Professional, this position requires: Juris Doctor (JD) 8+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: Licensed Attorney - Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners If filled as Attorney - General Counsel's Office - Senior Professional, this position requires: Juris Doctor (JD) 6+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: Licensed Attorney - Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Reporting Relationship
The Associate General Counsel-Transactions reports to the Vice President and General Counsel and works closely with University leadership and clients across the Penn State community.
Work Environment
Flexible – In-Person, Fully Remote, or Hybrid work arrangements may be considered consistent with university policy and operational needs.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $172,788.00 - $308,040.00.
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
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.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity 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.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
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Skills Required
- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
- Admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
- Ability to become licensed or otherwise authorized to practice in Pennsylvania
- Minimum of 6 years of relevant legal experience
- Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial agreements
- Strong analytical, judgment, negotiation, problem-solving, interpersonal, and communication skills
- Pennsylvania attorney licensure
- Experience advising higher education institutions, academic medical centers, research institutions, or other large complex organizations
- Experience with procurement, technology transactions, affiliation agreements, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships
- Familiarity with privacy, cybersecurity, data governance, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and innovation initiatives
- Ability to manage multiple sophisticated matters and work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders
Penn State University Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Penn State University and has not been reviewed or approved by Penn State University.
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Retirement Support — Employer contributions to SERS and the TIAA Alternate Plan are described as significant, with supplemental retirement options available. Feedback suggests these choices and contributions create strong long‑term value.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Full‑time employees accrue over 24 sick and vacation days annually, with additional university holidays and a winter break. Feedback suggests this depth of leave supports work–life balance.
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Inclusive Benefits Coverage — A 75% tuition discount extends to employees, spouses, and dependent children up to age 26 across resident instruction, World Campus, and Penn College courses. Feedback suggests this broad eligibility meaningfully enhances total rewards, especially for families.
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What We Do
There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our nearly 88,000 students and 17,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom—it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. From access to state-of-the-art resources to interdisciplinary pursuits in collaborative atmospheres, a Penn State degree is more than an education. The experiences and knowledge gained here will form the foundation for the lives our students build. Their contributions to the world begin with a Penn State degree. We Are Penn State.
