Assistant General Counsel (Contracts)

Job Summary

The Assistant General Counsel (Contracts) is responsible for managing the daily operations of the Legal Contract Administration Department and assists the General Counsel by providing legal advice and counsel to the Board of Trustees, Chancellor, and College.

This position has responsibilities in areas of actual and potential legal liability, including but not limited to, reviewing, and drafting contracts, negotiating contract terms and conditions, providing representation in internal administrative proceedings, interpreting federal and state laws and regulations, interpreting system policies, regulations, and rules, and developing and drafting policies and procedures.

Executive level staff at HCC are system-wide leaders that share the responsibility to collaboratively support the one-college vision articulated in our strategic plan – Embracing Houstons Future – with college strategic priorities as measurable manifestations of our shared Mission, Vision, and Values.

Responsible for the design, execution, and effectiveness of a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that operations are effective and efficient, assets are safeguarded, financial information is reliable and compliant with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures.

Manages Talent Engagement activities for direct reports in regards to: recruiting and selection, hiring and termination, training, development, mentoring, counseling, and performance evaluations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Serve as the primary contract administrator for the Office of General Counsel (OGC) and subject matter expert for District-wide contracts products and services.
• Responsible for all activities required to authorize OGC contract approvals.
• Collaborate with all levels of management to gather, analyze, summarize, and prepare recommendations on contracts, sourcing strategies and practices and procedures. Draft contracting policies and procedures.
• Maintain current knowledge of regulatory, legislative, and industrial changes to ensure changes and/or updates are completed within the required time, as needed.
• Provide leadership in developing key long-term supply contracts to achieve continuous improvement.
• Ensure that OGC contracts are awarded in accordance with HCCS Purchasing Policies and Procedures Manual.
• Provide expertise District-wide for OGC contracts management, maintains HCCs contracts and entire contract process which includes but is not limited to oversight of contracts signed by the College, contract compliance, accuracy of contracts, modifications to contract, contract closeout efforts, process improvement, project management, problem resolutions, and ensures adherence to procurement industry standards and practices as well as federal and state law standard.
• Draft, review and negotiate contracts for the college.
• Develop and revise standard College contract templates to maintain compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Advise internal parties on procurement and contracting issues, including on contract monitoring activities, contract risks, contractor performance issues, and vendor/supplier protests. Research contract and procurement-related legal issues.
• Review contract documents for release in compliance with open records requests or related court orders.
• Review and draft bill analyses and other related informational documents during the legislative session on contracting and procurement-related legislation.
• Develop training materials and provide training to college personnel regarding state contracting and procurement law.
• With outside counsel, represent the College as assigned in procurement and contract-related litigation matters; research and analyze legal issues and prepare legal memoranda, pleadings, briefs, notices, motions, and orders; and gather and review evidence, prepare discovery responses and affidavits, and otherwise assist in the defense or prosecution of litigation.
• Perform other duties, tasks and assignments as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• J. D. degree from an accredited law school required
• 5 years combined experience in any of the following: commercial transactions, contract drafting, contract negotiations, public procurement law, government law, Education Law, Texas Education Code, and lease drafting. required
• 5 years experience working in a public procurement, higher education institution or Texas community colleges, school districts, or governmental entities preferred

Licensing & Certification

• Valid Texas Driver License
• Member, State Bar of Texas required

Special Skills

• MS Office Programs
• Information Management Systems
• Legal Contracts

Competencies

• Acting as a Champion for Change
• Thinking like an Entrepreneur
• Driving for Results
• Leveraging Opportunities
• Setting a Strategic Vision
• Attracting & Developing Talent
• Inspiring & Motivating Others
• Acting Strategically
• Demonstrating Beliefs & Principals
• Managing Resources

Working Conditions

General Office. Must be able to perform all job requirements with or without reasonable accommodations; remain in a stationary position during shift; move items weighing up to 25 pounds; position self to operate job equipment; apply established protocols in a timely manner. Must access, input and retrieve information from technology devices; communicate with others to accomplish job requirements. May be required to work after hours to include weekends and holidays.

SECURITY SENSITIVE: This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215