Assistant General Counsel

Special Instructions to Applicants: Rice University has retained Lindauer, an executive search firm, to assist in this search. Consideration of candidates will continue until the position is filled. Candidates should submit, in confidence, a resume and cover letter. Communications, nominations, applications, and inquiries concerning this search should be directed to Raegan Harvey, Senior Consultant, rharvey@lindauerglobal.com and Alex Barber, Senior Consultant, abarber@lindauerglobal.com. 
 

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Position Summary:

Nobel Prizes. MacArthur “Genius Grants.” Poets Laureate. Groundbreaking cancer research. A world-class opera hall. An unmatched culture of care. The celebration of our multicultural and multinational community in the heart of the nation’s most diverse city. 

In the Office of General Counsel, we serve a preeminent research university whose excellence is established and whose ambitions, under President Reginald DesRoches, are courageous, transformational, and global. To help us serve Rice’s bright future, we seek an Assistant General Counsel who will provide high-level strategic gift assistance and policy advice to development leadership, fundraisers, and other colleagues, and to communicate on Rice’s behalf with prospects, advisors, donors, and donor families. 

Reporting to the Vice President and General Counsel, with a dotted-line relationship to the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations (DAR), the candidate will collaborate across the campus-wide fundraising enterprise, including with frontline fundraisers and leadership in DAR, and with each school, institute, and unit. The candidate will also develop and maintain relationships within the Office of the General Counsel, as well as with Rice’s treasury and the Rice Management Company (RMC, the university’s endowment office).

But no single day is typical for a top-tier research university, so our commitment is to provide or, when necessary, develop the substantive expertise our clients need. Therefore, the ideal candidate will also have the experience and versatility to solve problems in other areas of practice, including contracts, general business law, nonprofit law, and corporate law. As a team, we value versatility, attention to detail, discretion, and curiosity. Our collective aim is to represent Rice with the highest standards of civility and creativity.

The ideal candidate is a highly collaborative leader and strategic thinker with a demonstrated fundraising track record and expertise in navigating complex situations and projects.

Workplace Requirements:

This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice Policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change. 

Hiring Range: $175-200K annually 

*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements: 

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.
• At least 2 years’ experience as a practicing attorney.
• At least 2 years of demonstrated experience in major, planned, and principal gift fundraising, including significant experience working with financial advisors, accountants, and attorneys.
• Either (a) an active license to practice law in Texas, or (b) an active license to practice law in another US jurisdiction and the ability to become licensed in Texas at the earliest opportunity. 

Skills:

• Commitment to Rice University’s mission
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple, complex fundraising activities simultaneously and coordinate solicitation strategies in a decentralized environment
• Collegiality, a willingness to support colleagues, and a commitment to the multicultural, multinational environment of a major research university
• Commitment to expeditious, high-quality service to our clients and dedication to work the hours required to meet those expectations
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Advanced problem-solving skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• High level of creativity, initiative, and motivation
• Ability to work well under pressure and manage projects simultaneously
• Team orientation and willingness to set an example for real leadership
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet expected deadlines and schedules
• Adept at problem solving, creating contingency plans and handling issues when necessary
• Strong interest and commitment to sharing knowledge with colleagues through effective training programs 

Preferences:

• MBA degree 
• 3+ years of the experience specified above, preferably with an institution of higher education
• Ability to demonstrate good judgment in dynamic situations
• High emotional intelligence and ability to think strategically
• Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) 
• Proficiency with a fundraising CRM and strong data-driven orientation

Essential Functions:

• Draft complex pledge and gift agreements and liaise with RMC.
  • Support the work of development officers in closing complex gift arrangements and work with external advisors and Rice officials to complete gift documents.
  • Draft endowment agreements where a donor interest or gift situation requires a unique or complex solution, especially involving restrictions on use/designation.
  • Assist in responding to donor/advisor/fundraiser questions regarding Long Term Pool – timing of additions, distributions, taxes and assessments, investment returns, and other related matters.
  • Provide advice regarding fund accounting and reporting.
  • Liaise with RMC regarding acceptance and appropriate liquidation strategies for gifts of complex business interests.
• Enhance campus-wide risk management as it relates to development activities.
  • Oversee and manage a reputational risk assessment and review process.
  • Create, oversee, and manage a standardized gift agreement template/review process across the university.
• Provide Gift Planning/Estate and Trust Administration support.
  • Assist in drafting charitable remainder trust and charitable gift annuity agreements and related documents; negotiate those with donors and their advisors.
  • Provide advice regarding potential tax implications to the donor and the university of potential gifts with complex or unusual structures or situations.
  • Represent the university in routine probate and trust administration matters.
  • Provide strategic advice for charitable trust and deferred giving programs.     
  • Assist in developing, refining and interpreting gift planning guidelines and policies.
  • Review marketing materials as needed to ensure technical accuracy and appropriate clarity regarding the role of gift planners vs. professional advisors. 
• Lead the Gift Policy Committee.
  • Conduct due diligence on proposed gifts of privately held assets and other intangible personal property.
  • Assist the Real Estate Office in conducting due diligence on proposed gifts of real estate.
  • Assist the Executive Director of Gift Planning Giving with regard to evaluating proposed gifts of life insurance, intellectual property, and outdoor objects.
• Work closely with colleagues in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC).
  • Represent the interests of fundraising and alumni offices campus-wide in dealings with colleagues in the OGC.
  • Collaborate with colleagues in the OGC regarding establishing, reviewing, and updating university policies and procedures that affect development efforts, such as naming approval requirements, memorial gift policies, gift acceptance and disposition, among others. 
• Work closely with the Data Services team in DAR.
  • Coordinate and oversee the drafting and revision of gift receipt templates and other donor-facing materials; assist in revising policies and procedures.
  • Assist in determining how to receive, liquidate, record, value, and process gifts of complex assets.
• Collaborate regarding international fundraising.
  • Provide advice to fundraisers regarding international gifts, identifying potential issues and solutions.
  • Oversee the creation and management of appropriate entities and/or vehicles for the receipt of offshore gifts, overseeing engagement with third parties to accept offshore gifts as needed.
• Collaborate regarding fundraising campaigns.
  • Draft campaign counting guidelines and interpret the application thereof.
  • Draft matching gift rule sets.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Additional Functions:

• Requires extensive contact within the university at all levels, including upper-level administration.
• Requires extensive contact outside the university with donors, alumni, parents, and friends of Rice University, as well as with financial advisors, accountants, and attorneys
• Some travel may be required.

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits-overview

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.