Location: Albany, NY Category: Administrative and Professional Posted On: Wed Jul 16 2025 Job Description:
Function and Scope:
The General Counsel and Secretary reports to the RF President and, as an officer of the corporation to the RF Board of Directors. The General Counsel is responsible for the corporation's legal operations and complex transactional issues including legal aspects of the RF and SUNY's intellectual property strategy. The General Counsel also serves as the Secretary to the RF Board of Directors and works closely with the RF's Chief Operating Officer.
Key Responsibilities/Duties:
Serve as chief legal advisor to the RF and RF senior management, providing timely legal advice on a wide variety of legal issues, including tax-exempt and non-profit administration, government and industry sponsorship of academic research, management and licensing of intellectual property, labor and employment matters, new business formation, strategic alliances, RF benefit and retirement plans, and real estate and commercial matters.
The General Counsel shall serve as the Corporation's Chief Legal Officer and legal advisor to the Corporation, the Board of Directors, and committees, except as otherwise directed by the Board or President. The General Counsel shall provide legal advice and opinions, prepare legal documents, also represent the Board of Directors and the Corporation in all legal matters.
The Secretary shall maintain records of proceedings, keep, and retain the minutes, also affix the corporate seal to sign such instruments as required. In addition, the Secretary shall properly perform other duties pertaining to the office as assigned.
Manage and oversee all litigation and legal aspects of all investigations affecting the corporation.
Provide management, strategic direction, and leadership of the Office of General Counsel operations, including oversight of staff, budget, and outside counsel.
Provide legal interface with RF operations managers also the academic and business leadership at operating locations.
Lead the legal function to provide proactive legal advice to support the RF Strategic Plan.
Implement strategies and tools to achieve efficiencies and derive meaningful metrics and data in providing legal services to clients.
Manage regular communications and check ins with SUNY System Administration and campus stakeholders.
Integrate the legal staff with the central office and campus staff to provide timely day to day legal support while encouraging legal staff to develop solid working relationships with Campus Presidents, Research Foundation Operation Managers, and central office management.
Represent the organization with significant internal and external constituencies, including federal and New York State government agencies, corporations, campus presidents, executives, outside consultants and advisors.
Monitor developments in case law, legislation, and regulatory matters for effects on the activities of the corporation.
Job Requirements:
Education & Experience
Minimum Qualifications: JD, admission to the NYS Bar, or prompt eligibility for such admission within six months. At least ten or more years of progressively more complex technical and managerial experience in the practice of law, plus five years of experience in positions of similar scope and responsibility, reporting to the organizational President and Board of Directors. Experience in non-profit, research, and higher education settings is preferred.
Special Skills
Credibility, judgment, and flexibility to determine, manage, and mitigate risk.
Experience, confidence, leadership, and diplomacy to interact with all levels of the RF operations, SUNY, partners in business and industry, lastly the federal and New York State government.
Diverse and sophisticated legal experience including negotiating, drafting complex transactions and agreements, advising on regulatory compliance, labor, and employment, in addition to business matters.
Experience in managing complex litigation, investigations, and dispute resolution.
Experience in managing a legal department, including the supervision of senior attorneys budgeting, procurement, and management of outside counsel, lastly, mentor and develop junior attorneys.
Ability to prioritize and accomplish tasks in a timely manner in a complex, rapidly evolving, and regulated environment with varied constituencies.
Familiarity with issues relating to tax exempt, not-for-profit organizations.
Familiarity with legal issues relating to academic sponsored research and intellectual property.
Creative, strategic, and poised when facing constant challenge and change.
Demonstrated political awareness and business acumen.
Compensation for this position: The compensation for this role is between $275,000 - $325,000. The pay will depend on a variety of factors that may include but are not limited to experience, education, training, and certifications
Additional Information:
As an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer, The Research Foundation for SUNY will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy-related conditions, reproductive health decisions, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, familial status, citizenship, physical and mental disability, prior arrest or conviction record, genetic characteristics/genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, military status or service, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under federal, state or local law. The Company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.
The Company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
The Research Foundation for the State University of New York is not an agency or instrumentality of the State of New York. Employees of the Research Foundation for the State University of New York are not state employees, do not participate in any state retirement system, and do not receive state fringe benefits. The Research Foundation for the State University of New York operates under a contract with The State University of New York and receives no directly appropriated state funding
