Assistant General Counsel

Position Summary

Nobel Prizes. Mac Arthur "Genius Grants." Poets Laureate. Groundbreaking cancer research. A world-class opera hall. An unmatched culture of care. The celebration of our multicultural and multinational community in the heart of the nation's most diverse city.

In the Office of General Counsel, we serve a preeminent research university whose excellence is established and whose ambitions, under President Reginald Des Roches, are courageous, transformational, and global. To help us serve Rice's bright future, we are expanding the office to add an Assistant General Counsel who will provide legal advice and trusted counsel on philanthropic gifts, donations, contracts, and policies to development leadership, fundraisers, and other colleagues, and who will communicate on Rice's behalf with prospects, advisors, donors, and donor families.

Reporting to the Vice President and General Counsel, with a dotted-line relationship to the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations (DAR), the attorney will advise across the campus-wide fundraising enterprise, collaborating with frontline fundraisers and leadership in DAR and with each school, institute, and unit. The attorney will also develop and maintain relationships within the Office of the General Counsel, Rice's Treasury Office, and the Rice Management Company (RMC), the university's endowment office.

No single day is typical at a top-tier research university, so our commitment is to provide or, when necessary, develop all the substantive expertise our clients need. Therefore, the ideal candidate will also have the experience and versatility to solve problems in other areas of practice, including contracts, general business law, nonprofit law, and corporate law. As a team, we value versatility, attention to detail, discretion, and curiosity.

Our collective aim is to represent Rice with the highest standards of civility and creativity.

The ideal candidate is a highly collaborative leader and strategic thinker with experience supporting fundraising efforts and navigating complex situations and projects.

Special Instructions to Applicants:
All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

Workplace Requirements

This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the hiring salary is $175,000 - $205,000, contingent on experience and qualifications. Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

* J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school

* 2+ years of experience as a practicing attorney

* Demonstrated experience in major, planned, and principal gift fundraising, including experience working with financial advisors, accountants, and attorneys

* Either: (a) An active license to practice law in Texas, or (b) an active license to practice law in another U.S. jurisdiction and the ability to become licensed in Texas at the earliest opportunity

Skills:

* Commitment to Rice University's mission

* Demonstrated ability to handle multiple complex fundraising activities simultaneously and coordinate solicitation strategies in a decentralized environment

* Collegiality, a willingness to support colleagues, and a commitment to the multicultural, multinational environment of a major research university

* Commitment to providing expeditious, high-quality service to clients and dedication to working the hours required to meet those expectations

* Excellent verbal and written communication skills

* Strong attention to detail

* Advanced problem-solving skills

* Strong organizational and time management skills

* High level of creativity, initiative, and motivation

* Ability to work well under pressure and manage projects simultaneously

* Team orientation and willingness to set an example through effective leadership

* Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet expected deadlines and…