Associate General Counsel

Position SummaryThe position reports to the General Counsel and supports the General Counsel across all functional areas of the University. Leads and manages assignments independently and coordinates with teams of key stakeholders, including senior leadership. Provides guidance and legal advice to all academic and administrative areas of the University, with a focus on export control matters, research security and sponsored research projects (particularly in the areas of supercomputing, advanced semiconductors, artificial intelligence and quantum computing). As part of the legal team, the position also provides advice related to the University’s intellectual property, major procurements, information technology and information security matters, data privacy and protection, property and compliance with relevant national and international laws. Serves as a strategic partner in the development and implementation of University policies, procedures and initiatives and in matters involving research compliance, investigations, and disputes. Major ResponsibilitiesDrafts, reviews and negotiates strategic transactions, contracts, and grants related to research collaborations, export compliance and research security, intellectual property, information technology, technology commercialization and strategic partnerships. Works with University stakeholders to find effective, reasonable and practical solutions to challenging legal and business problems, including the navigation of complex export control and research security issues related to KAUST’s supercomputing resources. Provides legal advice and general counsel on a wide range of matters, with a focus on export compliance, research security, sponsored research projects, and technology commercialization, to KAUST management and departments, including the Office of the President, Office of the Vice President for Research, the National Transformation Institute, and Academic Divisions and Centers. Supports the Head of Legal and Export Compliance Team with the preparation and submission of export license applications, provides determination on the jurisdiction and classification of technology and software, and advises on Export License Conditions compliance requirements. Advises on researcher conflicts of interest, conflicts of commitment, affiliations, outside professional activity, and cross-border activity. Provides analysis on restricted-party screening and international research collaborations. Supports the General Counsel by advising on the University’s policies, programs, practices, and activities that are affected by legal considerations. Works with other University departments to promote compliance with University policies and procedures and the alignment of department actions with the University’s strategy and the Kingdom’s national Research, Development and Innovation priorities. Provides training on and information about legal developments of interest, in particular, to University leadership and managers. Conducts legal research and related due diligence on a variety of complex legal and business matters. Provides advice and assistance to those responsible for administering the University’s strategic risk assessments to ensure proper administrative oversight and to identify and manage areas of special interest that pose a risk to the University. Provides guidance to members of the University’s senior leadership team, department administrators and management with regard to risk-based decision-making to facilitate their understanding of the legal and business causes and effects of their actions and to ensure adherence to governance, policy, risk, and legal compliance requirements, with appropriate attention to any legal and other risks to the University. Serves on University committees and participates in other University activities as requested. Supports the General Counsel and other personnel in performing all the activities of the Office of General Counsel, as assigned. CompetenciesExcellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex legal and business issues in terms that are understandable to non-lawyers. Ability to manage multiple assignments and to complete them effectively and promptly with little or no supervision. Demonstrated ability to make independent decisions and exercise good judgment. Strong listening, interpersonal and leadership skills with an ability to engage effectively with University colleagues and third parties. Proven ability to mentor and support junior lawyers and supervise their work on a day-to-day basis. Ability to identify, analyze and resolve complex legal and business issues effectively. Superior attention to detail. Superior integrity and work ethic. Ability to instill confidence in his or her capability to achieve results and maintain confidentiality. Mature understanding of how to interact with a diverse, multi-cultural group of stakeholders and University partners to develop and maintain long-term positive relationships. QualificationsA law degree from an accredited law school with strong academic credentials. Minimum of 15 years of experience practicing in a broad range of legal areas within a complex organizational structure, preferably in a higher education or a research-based environment. Licensed to practice law in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in the United States, the United Kingdom, or an equivalent jurisdiction. Experience3-5 years of professional work experience in export control, research security, and/or a sponsored research compliance environment.Strong knowledge of U.S. export control regulations, including Export Administration Regulations (EAR), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and Office of Foreign Assets Controls (OFAC) regulations. Experience handling audits, assessments and working with regulators.