Senior Counsel, Data Protection And Procurement

Job Information

Job : 83092
Location: Oakland (UCOP - Franklin Building)
Position Base: Oakland
Employment Type: Full Time

Reporting to the Managing Counsel, Health Affairs, Privacy, and Data Protection, the Senior Counsel advises UC Health, Office of the President, Faculty Senate, campuses, and Office of the President stakeholders on a broad range of cybersecurity, technology, procurement, privacy, and data protection matters. The role includes legal support on UC Health procurement matters, procurement related to data privacy and protection, cybersecurity/privacy incidents across the UC system, and advising UC CIOs and CISOs on systemwide technology initiatives.

The position upholds UC Legal’s values for principle of community, promoting collaboration, respect, and fairness.

90% Client Service

• Advise on contracts relating to procurement, health procurement, cybersecurity, technology, privacy, and data protection;
• Advise on data security and privacy incidents;
• Advise on deployment and use of innovative technology throughout the University and by vendors;
• Advise University leaders regarding legal implications of policies;
• Understand stakeholder needs and foster collegial information sharing;
• Serve as a trusted strategic partner, providing practical advice;
• Interpret complex facts and law in high‑ambiguity areas, delivering timely legal services;
• Collaborate across locations to develop and modify practices per changing legal requirements, keeping up with legislation and case law;
• Negotiate matters on behalf of The Regents and liaise with outside counsel when necessary.

10% Strategic Planning and Leadership

• Independently advise clients across UC campuses, UC Health, and medical centers on critical issues including procurement for UC Health, cybersecurity, and privacy incident response and prevention.
• Contain legal expenditures delivered by or through outside counsel;
• Anticipate and proactively address challenges arising from diverse stakeholder roles;
• Handle competing priorities flexibly within an extremely busy practice.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in a law firm, academic healthcare setting, or in‑house for an academic institution, corporation, or other entity.

Required

Skills and Abilities

• Understanding of applicable privacy, security, and other laws, industry practices, and enforcement trends;
• Experience in contract negotiation, particularly terms related to cybersecurity, privacy, artificial intelligence, and/or procurement;
• Collaborative, facilitative, strategic, and creative thinking skills;
• Trusted partner with senior management and diverse clients;
• Deep understanding of complex legal issues for a University setting, foreseeing implications in ambiguous situations;
• Strong interpersonal communication, negotiation, persuasion, and education skills for IT and non‑IT audiences;
• Ability to gain trust with senior leaders;
• Strong written communication and presentation ability for legal audiences;
• In‑depth research skills to draft accurate legal documents;
• Decisive judgment, including unpopular decisions, earning credibility and support;
• Ability to represent institutional concerns persuasively to internal and external parties;
• Maintains confidentiality and discretion when handling sensitive issues;
• Committed to highest ethical standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience advising on competitive bidding;
• Experience dealing with significant data breaches, including investigation, remediation, and notification;
• Experience with cybersecurity risk assessments and preparedness exercises;
• Ability to research legislation and identify critical changes quickly;
• Project management and policy review facilitation skills.

Education: Advanced degree in a related area required.
Licenses: Must be in good standing in the California State Bar or admitted within one year of employment (current admission strongly preferred). California’s Registered In‑House Counsel program is NOT available to UC attorneys.

Travel: Occasional travel from Oakland possible, if needed.
Special

Conditions:

Must reside within California and report to work…