Senior Counsel, Assistant Vice President of Legal Affairs, Grants, Funding & Regulatory Compliance

Job Title: Senior Counsel

Location: SBC Corporation

Department Name : General Counsel Office

Req #: 0000206243

Status: Salaried

Shift: Day

Pay Range: $175,000.00 - $295,000.00 per year

Pay Transparency:

The above reflects the anticipated annual salary range for this position if hired to work in New Jersey.

The compensation offered to the candidate selected for the position will depend on several factors, including the candidate's educational background, skills and professional experience.

Senior Counsel, Assistant Vice President of Legal Affairs, Grants, Funding & Regulatory Compliance

Job Overview:

RWJBarnabas Health, New Jersey’s largest integrated academic healthcare system, seeks a highly experienced and detail-oriented attorney to serve as Assistant Vice President of Legal Affairs with a focus on regulatory compliance related to federal and state funding, grants administration, and government contracting.

The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in regulatory frameworks governing sponsored research, grant-funded programs, and government procurement including but not limited to the Uniform Guidance -2 CFR Part 200, Federal Acquisition Regulation, and related New Jersey state laws. This attorney will serve as a strategic legal advisor to departments across the enterprise including Research, Grants Administration, Finance, Compliance, and Business Development ensuring full legal and regulatory compliance in the pursuit, execution, and management of externally funded programs. A minimum of 8 years of relevant legal experience is required, ideally within an academic medical center, government agency, research institution, or law firm with experience advising tax-exempt or government-funded entities.

Reports to:

• The Assistant Vice President of Legal Affairs, Grants, Funding & Regulatory Compliance reports to the Vice President of Legal Affairs.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school
• Active license to practice law in the state of NJ or eligibility for in-house counsel licensure in NJ
• Minimum of 8 years of legal experience, with a strong background in government grants, research compliance, public funding regulations, and/or procurement law
• Comprehensive understanding of the Uniform Guidance - 2 CFR Part 200, FAR, and sponsor-specific funding regulations
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex legal issues involving funding compliance and institutional risk management
• Exceptional communication skills and organizational rigor
• Impeccable attention to detail and ability to manage large volumes of complex agreements and regulatory obligations
• Prior in-house counsel experience at an academic medical center, research institution, or government contractor
• Familiarity with grant lifecycle software, institutional review processes, or sponsored research portals,
• Working knowledge of HHS/OIG audit protocols and federal cost principles OMB Circular A-21/A-87 legacy content

Essential Functions:

• Provide legal counsel regarding the acquisition, administration, and oversight of federal and state grants, cooperative agreements, and subawards
• Review, negotiate, and draft contracts and agreements related to sponsored programs, including grant awards, federal subcontracts, research collaborations, memoranda of understanding, and consortium agreements
• Serve as a legal resource on sponsor-specific requirements, including NIH, HRSA, CMS, CDC, and Department of Education regulations

Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management

• Interpret and advise on regulations related to federal and state funding, including the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards - Uniform Guidance/2 CFR Part 200, the FAR, and applicable state codes
• Ensure system-wide compliance with grant terms and conditions, reporting obligations, allowable cost principles, procurement standards, and audit readiness
• Support internal teams on the legal implications of cost sharing, program income, indirect cost rates, time and effort reporting, and other areas of grant management risk,

Government Contracting

• Provide legal guidance on solicitations, RFP responses, and contracting with federal and state agencies under the FAR and applicable supplements e.g., HHSAR
• Advise on issues involving procurement integrity, conflicts of interest, suspension and debarment, and false claims
• Support compliance with post-award requirements, including contract modifications, closeouts, and audits,

Institutional Policy and Internal Advisory

• Assist in developing internal policies and procedures to promote compliance with funding source requirements and evolving regulatory standards
• Partner with institutional stakeholders to facilitate compliant and strategic growth of the health system s externally funded programs and research portfolio
• Counsel leadership on risk exposure, legal constraints, and strategies to strengthen regulatory posture

Education, Documentation, and Systems Support

• Maintain accurate legal documentation and regulatory tracking systems for all relevant funding programs
• Deliver training and education to grants management, legal, and research personnel on regulatory obligations and best practices
• Collaborate with Compliance, Finance, Internal Audit, and Research Administration on cross-functional initiatives

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Additional Information:

Benefits and Perks:

At RWJBarnabas Health, our employees are at the heart of everything we do. Driven by our Total Wellbeing promise, our market-competitive offerings include comprehensive benefits and resources to support our employees’ physical, emotional, financial, personal, career, and community wellbeing. These benefits and resources include, but are not limited to:

• Paid Time Off including Vacation, Holidays, and Sick Time
• Retirement Plans
• Medical and Prescription Drug Insurance
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Disability and Life Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Student Loan Planning Support
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Wellness Programs
• Voluntary Benefits (e.g., Pet Insurance)
• Community and Volunteer Opportunities
• Discounts Through our Partners such as NJ Devils, NJ PAC, and Verizon
• ….and more!

Choosing RWJBarnabas Health!

RWJBarnabas Health is the premier health care destination providing patient-centered, high-quality academic medicine in a compassionate and equitable manner, while delivering a best-in-class work experience to every member of the team. We honor and appreciate the privilege of creating and sustaining healthier communities, one person and one community at a time. As the leading academic health system in New Jersey, we advance innovative strategies in high-quality patient care, education, and research to address both the clinical and social determinants of health.

RWJBarnabas Health aims to truly make a unique impact in local communities throughout New Jersey. From vastly improving the health of local residents to creating educational and career opportunities, this combination greatly benefits the state. We understand the growing and evolving needs of residents in New Jersey—whether that be enhancing the coordination for treating complex health conditions or improving community health through local programs and education.

At RWJBarnabas Health, our market-competitive Total Rewards package provides comprehensive benefits and resources to support our employees physical, emotional, social, and financial health.

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Medical and Prescription Drug Insurance
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Retirement Plans
• Short & Long Term Disability
• Life & Accidental Death Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Wellness Programs
• Voluntary Benefits (e.g., Pet Insurance)
• Discounts Through our Partners such as NJ Devils, NJ PAC, Verizon, and more!

RWJBarnabas Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer