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Job description
Associate General Counsel (Contracts and Data Privacy/Security Compliance)
Posting Details
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Posting Number: S
Position Title: Associate General Counsel (Contracts and Data Privacy/Security Compliance)
Position Type: Staff
Location: Villanova, PA
Recruitment Type: Internal/External Applicants
Work Schedule: full-time/12-months
Department: 705-VP and General Counsel
Position Summary
The Associate General Counsel is an officer of administration who assists in handling all University legal affairs under the direction of the Vice President and General Counsel.
Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. The University is an equal opportunity employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values.
Join a mission-driven organization. Since Villanova University’s founding in 1842, we have been inspired by the values of truth, unity, and love, and are a community dedicated to service to others.
Villanova has been included among the nation’s best colleges and universities. VU’s inclusion again in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 “Best Colleges” rankings is another indication of the University’s continued prominence and forward momentum.
Villanova’s most precious asset is our people . As an employee, you will receive a holistic benefits package, generous paid time off, a competitive retirement savings plan, flexible work options, wellness programs including gym membership, professional development, tuition assistance, and more.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direction of the Vice President and General Counsel, provides general legal services and day-to-day advice to principal officers of the administration.
Drafts, reviews and negotiates complex commercial contracts involving business operations and technology (including software/platform as a service, IT services, software licenses and data processing agreements) and handles all data security/privacy components of contracts.
Works directly with the Office of Risk Management, the Office of Information Security, and other relevant partners in the internal contract review process.
Counsel internal clients on compliance with applicable federal, state, and international information security and privacy laws and regulations.
Advises the Office of Risk Management on a wide range of risk management and liability issues and prepares appropriate contracts, participant releases and waivers.
Advises the Office of Grants and Contracts, as needed, on preparation of submissions and filings to governmental agencies in connection with research grants.
Advises with respect to research compliance, research integrity, export controls, and research financial conflict of interest, including, but not limited to policy development and updates and serving ex officio on research committees.
Oversees and participates in research regulatory proceedings involving the University, managing matters and advising outside counsel.
Oversees responses to research inquiries, audits or investigations directed to the University, including gathering records and ensuring compliance with legal requirements regarding confidentiality and proprietary information.
Advises with respect to internal dispute resolution and administrative proceedings such as research noncompliance, research misconduct, suspension or termination matters.
Assists in intellectual property issues as needed, including patent prosecution efforts and copyright and trademark registration and enforcement issues.
Assists in formulating and implementing institutional strategies for avoiding future legal problems. Provides training to personnel as appropriate.
Serves on University committees as assigned by the Vice President and General Counsel.
Performs additional duties and assists with special projects as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Formal Education: Graduation from an accredited law school with a LL.B./J.D. degree. Must be admitted and in good standing in Pennsylvania or other state bar; admission to the Pennsylvania bar required within 1 year of appointment.
Work Experience: 4-8 years’ legal practice.
Work Skills: Strong time management skills and the ability to prioritize multiple projects.
Specific Job Knowledge:
- Significant demonstrated experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex commercial and technology contracts and data privacy and security components.
- Expertise in U.S., state and international data security and privacy laws and regulatory compliance.
- Strong time management skills and the ability to prioritize multiple projects.
- Demonstrated capacity for legal research, analysis and reasoning, superior oral and written communication skills, and an ability to identify and resolve complicated and sensitive problems creatively and with professional discretion.
- Demonstrated ability to interact and function effectively in an academic community and collaborative team environment.
Equipment: General knowledge of word processing equipment.
Preferred Qualifications
Work Experience:
- Work experience in a private research facility or pharmaceutical company.
- Work experience in advising on or drafting agreements for and overseeing matters involving grants, sponsored research agreements, grant proposals and University-funded research.
- Work experience in advising on matters of research compliance, research integrity, export controls, and research financial conflict of interest including, but not limited to, developing and updating policy and providing support for research committees.
- Work experience in overseeing and participating in research regulatory proceedings, managing matters and advising outside counsel.
- Work experience in overseeing responses to research inquiries, audits or investigations, including gathering records and ensuring compliance with legal requirements regarding confidentiality and proprietary information.
- Experience in advising with respect to internal research-related dispute resolution and administrative proceedings such as those related to research noncompliance, misconduct, suspension or termination matters.
- Experience in technology transfer and commercialization.
Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours
Sitting for extended periods of time and occasional lifting of legal file boxes.
Special Message to Applicants
Applications must include contact information for 3 references who will be contacted via email to submit confidential letters of recommendation, if a finalist.
This is an in-office position.
Posting Date: 08/19/2026
Salary Information
This position falls within salaried grade 21 and the range is $191,000-$212,300. The final salary will be determined with consideration of several factors including the selected candidate’s qualifications, department budget availability, market data, and internal equity.
Salary Grade: 21
Job Classification: exempt
References Needed
Minimum Number of References Needed: 3
Maximum Number of References Needed: 3
Supplemental Questions
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Documents needed to complete your application:
Required Documents Cover Letter / Letter of Interest
Resume / Curriculum Vitae
Optional Documents Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
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Who can apply
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