Innovation Paralegal, Academic Affairs
Benefits of working at VCU
All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust
benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid
annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition
benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred
annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being
resources, abundant opportunities for career development and
advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here .
Job Code 25011N
Recruitment Pool All Applicants
Posting Number req7019
Unit University College
Department Academic Affairs
Department Website Link <p style=”text-align: center;”> SEND RESUME</p>
Location VCU
Address 907 Floyd Ave, Richmond, VA 23284 USA
Duties & Responsibilities
Position Summary:
Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) University College is
seeking an enthusiastic and detail-oriented Innovation Paralegal to
support the legal and administrative functions essential to the
university’s academic agreements and collaborations. As the
Innovation Paralegal, you will report to the Academic Affairs
Project Specialist and you will assist in reviewing, drafting, and
managing a wide range of agreements that support VCU’s academic
initiatives, both internally within the university and with
external partners.
The successful candidate will assist in the creation and review of
agreements that form the foundation for VCU’s academic
partnerships, including experiential learning opportunities,
research collaborations, interdisciplinary projects, and joint
ventures with external institutions. You will work closely with VCU
faculty, administrators, University Counsel, and external
stakeholders to ensure that these agreements meet legal
requirements, align with university policies, and support the
strategic goals of VCU.
This position will assist in tracking, organizing, and ensuring
compliance with these agreements, helping maintain an up-to-date
inventory of contracts and compliance documents. Additionally, you
will play a key role in assisting with audits and reviews of
agreements to ensure proper execution, compliance with
institutional policies, and alignment with best practices.
This role offers a unique opportunity to work in the area of
academic law and compliance while supporting the growth and success
of VCU’s academic mission. If you are looking to be part of a
dynamic team that helps facilitate impactful academic agreements,
and enjoy working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, this
could be the perfect role for you.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist in drafting, reviewing, and managing academic
agreements, including those related to research partnerships,
faculty collaborations, and interdisciplinary projects, both within
VCU and with external partners. This includes supporting the review
and negotiation of agreements to ensure compliance with university
policies and legal requirements. - Conduct legal research on academic policies, accreditation
standards, and relevant laws affecting academic agreements and
collaborations, providing legal support and recommendations to
stakeholders. - Maintain and manage an organized inventory system for academic
contracts, compliance documents, and related agreements, ensuring
that all documentation is up-to-date, properly filed, and easily
accessible for review. - Assist in performing compliance audits of academic agreements
for units with Signature Authority from the Provost. You will help
ensure that these agreements are properly executed, comply with
university policies, and adhere to best practices. - Collaborate with University Counsel and other units to
facilitate the smooth execution of academic agreements, addressing
any legal or procedural questions that arise. - Assist in preparing materials for accreditation processes,
institutional audits, and compliance reviews, ensuring that all
necessary documentation is accurate, complete, and aligns with
university standards. - Support communication with faculty, students, and other
stakeholders to clarify academic policies, procedures, and legal
matters related to academic agreements. - Maintain confidentiality of sensitive academic, legal, and
institutional information, handling all documentation with
discretion and care. - Provide project management support and other coordination
duties as needed.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
· Completion of a paralegal certificate program (or equivalent
legal training) is required. Candidates with additional legal
certifications or advanced degrees are encouraged to apply.
· Basic understanding of legal terminology and principles,
preferably in the context of academic agreements, contracts, and
institutional policies.
· Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability
to draft clear, professional documents and communicate legal
concepts in an accessible way.
· Attention to detail and strong organizational skills,
particularly when reviewing documents and managing multiple
agreements.
· Ability to prioritize tasks effectively and meet deadlines in a
fast-paced work environment.
· Basic research skills, with the ability to assist in conducting
legal research on academic policies, compliance issues, and
relevant laws.
· Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, showing
initiative and contributing to a positive team environment.
· Discretion and integrity in handling confidential information,
with a commitment to maintaining confidentiality and following
university standards.
· Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
is a plus.
· Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment
of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of
faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and
experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at
VCU.
FLSA University Employee
Job FTE 1
Exemption Status Non-Exempt
Restricted Position No
E-Class UF – University Employee FT
Job Category University Employee
ORP Eligible No
Salary Range $45,000 – $50,000
Compensation Type Salaried
Target Hire Date 4/25/2025
Contact Information for Candidates
Devin Houston
houstond@vcu.edu
Documents Needed to Apply Resume & Cover Letter
required
<p style=”text-align: center;”> SEND RESUME</p>