PRINCIPAL COUNSEL, CHARITABLE GIVING

For UCOP internal applicants, please login to the internal candidate gateway at:

UC OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

At the University of California (UC), your contributions make a difference. A world leader producing Nobel and Pulitzer prize recipients with over 150 years of groundbreaking research transforming the world. Choose a career where you can leverage your knowledge, skills and aspirations to inspire and support some of the greatest minds in the world, and those who will follow in their footsteps. Working at the University of California is being part of a unique institution, and a vibrant and diverse community. At the University of California, Office of the President, we propel our mission through impactful work locally, in government centers and systemwide. We are passionate people, serving the greater good.

The University of California, one of the largest and most acclaimed institutions of higher learning in the world, is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research and public service. The University of California Office of the President is the headquarters to the 10 campuses, six academic medical centers and three national laboratories and enrolls premier students from California, the nation and the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

UC Legal - Office of General Counsel (UCL - OGC) delivers ethical, timely, efficient and high quality legal services to the University of California ten campuses, six medical centers, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, as well as to the Board of Regents, the President, the Chancellors and other officers of the University. Its services include prosecuting and defending litigation, drafting and negotiating agreements, providing advice, counsel and interpretation of laws, regulations and policies, and assisting with development of effective compliance and risk mitigation strategies to facilitate the University's complex operations. The Business, Transactions, and Innovation (BTI) practice group handles a broad range of business transactions including, but not limited to, transactions involving innovative research, joint ventures, collaborations, international activities, public finance, real estate, land use, construction, investments, intellectual property, laboratory affairs, energy, tax-exempt organizations, charitable giving, trusts and estates, and institutional advancement.

POSITION SUMMARY

The University of California cumulatively raises over $3 billion annually in private support. Charitable giving is a mission-critical component of revenue to the campuses and has grown significantly in recent years in both volume and in complexity.

This position provides substantial expertise in the area of charitable giving matters and the laws applicable to nonprofit / tax exempt organizations. Areas include: Large and complex charitable gifts and endowment analysis, advice and negotiations; charitable trusts; tax-exempt nonprofit corporate governance, laws, compliance and reporting; interpretation of University policies related to charitable gifts.

Experience with and knowledge of charitable giving is required. Some experience with planned giving is preferred. This position will assist all campuses and campus foundations in these matters. The hire will interact with donors, donors' counsel and other professional advisors, campus counsel and University Advancement personnel to achieve successful gift outcomes for the University.

Other duties may include providing advice and counsel connected to nonprofit entity structuring and transactions (e.g., forming and managing University-related subsidiaries and organizations, establishing relationships with affiliates, structuring join ventures as well as exploring and carrying out mergers and acquisitions); political intervention and lobbying; and unrelated business income.

Responsibilities require substantial knowledge of laws, IRS regulations and policies applicable to charitable giving in general and to nonprofit / tax-exempt and charitable organizations in particular, as well as to University bylaws, policies and guidelines.

All team members are expected to actively participate in initiatives to promote diversity, equity, and/or inclusion, whether at UC or in the community.

Responsibilities

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in a law firm or at an academic institution, corporation or other entity.
• Significant experience providing legal advice relatied to charitable giving and nonprofit tax-exempt organizations.
• Deep understanding of laws and IRS regulations related to charitable and nonprofit organizations and the ways to apply those laws and regulations in complicated situations involving major gift transactions.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, including proven ability to actively listen, negotiate, persuade and educate.
• Skills to gain trust and build credibility with a broad group of colleagues and clients, including senior leaders.
• Judgment, tact and diplomacy to partner with senior teams to help them achieve their strategic objectives.
• Outstanding customer service skills.
• Effective research skills; ability to readily identify material information in area of specialty.
• Proven decision-making ability, even when the decision is unpopular, earning credibility and support from colleagues and clients.
• Ability to lead by influence and consensus.
• Excellent abilities in collaboration, facilitation, and strategic and creative thinking with UC Legal colleagues, clients and outside vendors and agencies.
• Commitment to the highest ethical standards.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion and tact when handling sensitive or potentially sensitive issues.
• Outstanding presentation skills, including the ability to communicate clearly, logically, and persuasively during interactions and utilize active listening skills.
• Outstanding written skills as defined by the ability to compose a variety of concise, informative written materials appropriate to a particular audience, including persuasive legal documents and transactional documents.
• Ability to represent institutional concerns persuasively to internal and external parties.
• Demonstrated ability to act as a team player in all circumstances, as defined by contributing to the successful outcome of initiatives, accountabilities, and operations of others.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated understanding of ethical issues in a University setting.
• Previous experience in UC or other University or public agency as in-house or outside legal counsel.

Education: Advanced degree in related area required.

License/Certifications: Must be a member in good standing of the California Bar. (Out-of-state hire would be afforded time to pass the Bar within a reasonable period.)

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

The person hired will be required to reside within California and report to work on-site at UC's Office of the President (UCOP) offices in Oakland, CA on a regular basis. Current policy requires that a new employee work on-site at least two days a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays ("anchor days"). In exceptional circumstances, approved by the General Counsel, candidates residing in or willing to relocate to California may be considered for a fully remote work arrangement.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary: $207,000 - $245,000 annual salary, commensurate with experience

Benefits: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Career Tracks Title, Title Code, & Grade: Counsel 4 (000201), 29

HOW TO APPLY

Please be prepared to attach a cover letter and resume with your application.

APPLICATION REVIEW DATE

The first review date for this job is May 18, 2023. The position will be open until filled.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check Process: Successful completion of a background check is required for this critical position.

Smoke Free Work Environment: The University of California, Office of the President, is smoke & tobacco-free as of January 1, 2014.

August 2021 Update: The University of California has issued a policy requiring employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID -19 before physically accessing the University location or programs. Upon hire into a UCOP position, you will be provided detailed instructions on how to comply with this policy including access to the COVID vaccination at no cost. New hires to UCOP who work onsite or will come onsite for any activities at a UCOP or other UC location must comply with this policy within 8 weeks after their start date. The policy allows for employees to request approval for an exception or deferral.

EEO STATEMENT

The University of California, Office of the President, is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

The University of California, Office of the President, strives to make this job board accessible to any and all users. If you have comments regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us at: or email the Human Resource Department at: