Senior Paralegal - Office of General Counsel

Overview
Develop, review, analyze, negotiate, administer and manage (a) national and international education related agreements required for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in the health sciences as well as medical, dental, and pharmacy residents and fellows, to train at healthcare facilities and other institutions where student/resident training takes place; and (b) a variety of other types of contracts on behalf of colleges/schools/programs within the health sciences, including purchases, sales, research affiliations and the like.

The transactional senior paralegal has demonstrated experience in assisting attorneys with commercial transactions or national and international education-related agreements. The Transactions Group in the Office of the General Counsel consists of nine attorneys and three paralegals. The group represents and advises academic departments and administrative units throughout the University's five-campus system in entering into and performing commercial transactions and educational affiliations.

• Works toward pursuing and maintaining high-quality relationships between University and external healthcare facilities.
• Maintains and updates template agreements housed in University's Standard Contracts Library.
• Ensures programs follow affiliation agreement database protocol; provides direction and written summary of the affiliation agreement process.
• Provides input and guidance to the manager of the affiliation agreement database for resolution of database issues as they are encountered.
• Performs legal research for compliance-related issues and as otherwise requested by Academic Health Sciences Counsel. Assists with other projects as developed and assigned by the Academic Health Sciences Counsel.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Performs contract development, review, analysis, and negotiation of education related agreements and other types of contracts on behalf of colleges/schools/programs/departments within the University's Office of Academic Clinical Affairs (all campuses). (30%)
• Negotiates contracts with lawyers and/or representatives of external healthcare facilities. Works toward pursuing and maintaining high-quality relationships between University and external healthcare facilities. (20%)
• Ensures contract compliance with University programs' accreditation requirements; University policies, procedures, and practices; and applicable state and federal laws/regulations, amending and updating contracts as necessary. Consults with program representatives to resolve issues of noncompliance. Performs legal research for compliance-related issues and as otherwise requested by Academic Health Center Counsel. (5%)
• Advises and provides guidance to representatives of University's Academic Health Center colleges/schools/programs/departments with respect to contracts and contract-related matters, including potential liability and regulatory matters. (15%)
• Identifies and approaches external healthcare facilities with which University would benefit by engaging in master educational affiliation agreements; generates and maintains such master affiliation agreements. (10%)
• Serves as University's Office of Academic Clinical Affairs primary liaison/point of entry with regard to contract matters. Assists with other projects as developed and assigned by Office of Academic Clinical Affairs Counsel. (10%)
• Maintains and updates template agreements housed in University's Standard Contracts Library.(5%)
• Ensures programs follow affiliation agreement database protocol; provides direction and written summary of the affiliation agreement process. Provides input and guidance to the manager of the affiliation agreement database for resolution of database issues as they are encountered. (5%)
  
  Required and Preferred Qualifications
  
  Associate's or higher degree or paralegal certification from an ABA-approved institution or the Minnesota Paralegal Association plus Four or more years' experience as a paralegal. Or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least six years.
  
  

Required qualifications

• At least four 4 of experience as a paralegal reviewing, negotiating and drafting commercial agreements or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least 6 years.
• Associate or higher degree or paralegal certification from an ABA-approved institution or the Minnesota Paralegal Association

Desired:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Outstanding analytical and interpersonal skills and cross-cultural competencies
• Highest level of integrity and professionalism
• An ability to independently manage and prioritize work
• Experiences working in a collegiate environment and working professionally in a diverse environment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and Google suite of applications, including Word, Excel, Gmail and Google Drive
• Experience using an electronic document management system

Pay Range: $82,431 - $92,893 annually, depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).