"Legal Assistant - Office of the General Counsel"

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Legal Assistant is part of a small team of administrative assistants in the Office of the General Counsel, reporting to the Department Administrator. The Legal Assistant provides day-to-day administrative support for at least five OGC attorneys in their varied law practices and is also responsible for additional office work, including assisting with paralegal duties. Typical duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned as needed.

Important Note: This position will start hybrid (some on-campus/some remote work), and will transition to full on-campus work in Cambridge if required by the department. Employees will be expected to commute to the office in Cambridge as required.

Job Specific Responsibilities:

• Provides direct support for a group of University Attorneys, including complex calendar management, room-booking, correspondence, coordinating conference and travel arrangements (applying the relevant policies and guidance), processing expense reports and reimbursements, and management of electronic and paper legal files.
• Processes and edits correspondence, memos, and legal documents, including photocopying, scanning, and redacting information from documents, and transcribing handwritten documents.
• Creates, organizes, and maintains files, both hard copy and electronic, for a variety of legal matters, using the office's electronic docket and document management systems.
• Arranges meetings, schedules rooms, and equipment.
• Assists with managing the University's litigation hold process, including ongoing management of litigation hold software.
• Organizes the preparation and submission of the annual audit letters and updates, as well as other reporting obligations.
• Assists with managing the University's electronic conflict of interest process for senior officers and administrators, including ongoing management of the COI database.
• Works collaboratively with other administrative staff to improve office functions and accomplish tasks that involve group efforts.
• Provides support for other OGC attorneys as needed to cover other administrative staff absences, which may include other duties assigned.
• Provides coverage to the office's reception desk as needed.
• Manages office-wide functions with minimal supervision.
• Is available to coordinate other department projects as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in an administrative support role.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Prior work experience in a law firm or with Harvard's financial systems preferred.
• Candidate will be a notary public or be willing to obtain a notary public certification at the OGC's expense.
• Familiarity with legal terminology or willingness to learn.
• Must be extremely proficient with Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Superior interpersonal skills with proven ability to successfully interact and collaborate with varied constituencies in a professional manner, exhibiting excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively as part of a team.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Paralegal experience a plus.

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 37.5 hours per week
• Compensation range: $68,500-$73,475
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity

Work Format Details

This is a position that is based at a Harvard campus location with some remote work options available. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 054. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.