Western Governors University - Associate General Counsel - Corporate Transactions Attorney
Job Profile Summary:
The Corporation of Western Governors University (CWGU) seeks to fill the position of Associate General Counsel (AGC) for Corporate Transactions. The AGC will provide timely, relevant, and solution-oriented counsel to a large, nonprofit, and technologically adept distance education institution and its affiliates. The AGC will advise on a variety of complex corporate transactions for clients across the WGU system including venture investing, M&A and joint ventures, and incubator/accelerator activities in support of WGU’s mission to expand access to opportunity through affordable, high-quality education.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
Provide subject matter leadership on entity formation and corporate governance, M&A and securities issues;
Proactively build relationships with appropriate stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes;
Lead and coordinate due diligence efforts;
Draft, analyze, and negotiate loan and investment documents;
Accountable, as a senior member of the Office of General Counsel (OGC), for the general legal needs of several large internal organizations;
Manage the activities of assigned staff to meet client and subject matter responsibilities;
Mentor and develop other OGC staff and participate in OGC governance;
Devise and deliver appropriate training;
Perform other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skill and Abilities:
Ability to build relationships and influence at all levels, both internally and externally
Ability to accurately prioritize and respond to issues and requests
Ability to think creatively, exercise excellent judgment, and offer quick and informed opinions
Sound independent judgment and professional integrity
Experience working with complex governmental institutions and related laws and regulations
Prompt and effective analytical, research and writing skills
Prompt development of knowledge in a wide range of legal areas
Ability to identify practical solutions that combine legal considerations with institutional needs
Ability to develop and deliver effective presentations and training
Ability to coach and develop direct reports
Ability to monitor and resolve multiple, concurrent matters
High ethical standards, with a strong commitment to legal ethics exhibited in knowledge and practice, and professional responsibility
Competencies:
Organizational Impact:
Responsible for implementing initiatives and projects established by university or department leadership; establishes strategic, operational plans for department, function, or office with short to mid-term impact on results.
Delivers measurable input into new processes, standards, or plans that impact the achievement of overall university or department results.
Problem Solving & Decision Making:
Leverages a systems-thinking approach for improving existing processes and systems using significant conceptualizing, reasoning, and interpretation.
Problems and issues faced are numerous, may not be clearly defined, and may have missing information. Conducts extensive investigation to understand the root cause. Problems span a wide range of difficult and unique issues.
Communication & Influence:
Collaborates cross-functionally across the University or department and typically has responsibilities for communicating with external parties.
Works to influence others to accept the job area’s views, practices, concepts, and approaches.
Requires ability to communicate with executive leadership regarding matters of significant importance to the University. May conduct briefings with leaders within the University or department.
Leadership & Talent Management
Responsible for providing guidance, coaching, and training to other employees across the University within the area of domain-specific expertise. Provides direction to project team members, including feedback on performance.
Demonstrates the WGU leadership principles in all aspects of service to students, employees, and partners of WGU.
Job Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school.
Minimum 10 years' experience in active legal practice with increasingly progressive responsibilities or a combination of comparable experience and/or education including 6+ years of corporate law experience handling commercial transactions in M&A and corporate finance.
Licensed and in good standing to practice law in Utah, or admissible at the earliest opportunity, and no later than one year from the position start date.