What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate General Counsel - Hybrid in Minneapolis position at National Marrow Donor Program Inc?
POSITION SUMMARY:
At NMDP, the Associate General Counsel - Healthcare & Privacy position is an opportunity to practice law in direct support of NMDP's life-saving mission. This position will appeal to an attorney who wants meaningful responsibility, exposure to diverse legal issues, and the opportunity to grow as a practical, solutions-oriented in-house advisor.
The Associate General Counsel - Healthcare & Privacy will join a small, collaborative in-house legal team responsible for providing operationally aware legal advice to cross-functional partners and project teams throughout the organization across a broad range of matters, with a non-exclusive focus on healthcare and privacy laws and regulations. The Associate General Counsel - Healthcare & Privacy will be expected to identify legal and business risks, help develop practical solutions, and communicate clearly with non-legal stakeholders.
Primary areas of focus will include providing legal support for Operations, Compliance, Quality, and Research, and managing confidentiality and information-handling matters, document reviews, and special projects. The role may also include selected contracting, procurement/vendor relations, corporate, compliance, and outside counsel management matters.
The Associate General Counsel - Healthcare & Privacy will participate in the development and implementation of NMDP policies and procedures related to legal and regulatory obligations and will maintain knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, guidance, interpretations, and court decisions as they affect NMDP. The position may direct the work of paralegals, outside counsel, or other legal support resources as needed to provide efficient and effective service.
ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Legal Research, Analysis, and Advisory Support:
Researches and analyzes a broad range of legal issues, including new/evolving subject areas, and translates legal requirements into clear, actionable guidance for business and project teams.
Proactively identifies legal risks, helps develop practical solutions, and supports decision-making in matters that may involve operational, financial, regulatory, reputational, or public relations significance.
Counsels internal clients on matters that impact NMDP's mission, operations, and strategic priorities.
Collaborates with colleagues in Legal & Compliance and coordinates with outside counsel and consultants as needed to provide efficient, responsive, and practical legal support.
Policy Development, Preparation, and Implementation:
Assists with the review, analysis, development, and implementation of NMDP policies and procedures that have legal, regulatory, compliance, privacy, confidentiality, or operational risk components.
Works directly with departments and project teams to understand operational needs and help develop practices, procedures, and workflows that align with legal and regulatory requirements.
Helps gather, organize, and synthesize information from legal, compliance, operational, clinical, regulatory, quality, and business stakeholders to support clear and usable policy and procedure documents.
Contributes to organizational information management by working cross-functionally on updates to information management policies, standard operating procedures, and retention schedules.
Mission-Focused Practice and Growth Opportunities:
Advises departments charged with the receipt, handling, use, disclosure, and maintenance of confidential, sensitive, or regulated information.
Provides legal support for clinical research, trials, studies, innovation initiatives, and related activities, including advising on informed consent, participant protections, privacy, and applicable regulatory requirements.
Drafts, reviews, files and/or negotiates selected legal documents and correspondence, including research-related agreements, confidentiality documents, procurement-related materials, business registrations, regulatory filings, customs petitions, and other documents as assigned.
Participates in special projects and cross-functional initiatives that offer exposure to new legal issues, business models, technologies, and strategic priorities.
Helps manage outside counsel, consultants, and other legal support resources to ensure high-quality, cost-effective legal service.
May assist with internal investigations, dispute resolution, litigation, and related risk-management matters.
Provides support and legal research and advice to Compliance team.
Provides support and legal research and advice to Regulatory and Quality teams for both core business and cell and gene therapies activities.
Participates in special projects and initiatives as needed.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of:
Working knowledge of legal research materials, methods, techniques, principles, and practices; familiarity with contract, procurement, corporate, health care, privacy and regulatory laws and other areas relevant to NMDP's mission and operations; and willingness to develop knowledge in new legal subject areas as organizational needs evolve.
Ability to:
Identify legal and business risks in the context of organizational objectives, ask thoughtful questions, and help develop practical solutions that support mission-driven decision-making.
Draft, review, and negotiate legal documents with appropriate supervision and support as needed.
Build and maintain cooperative working relationships with NMDP personnel, project teams, customers, vendors, partners, regulators, governmental agencies, and other external stakeholders.
Research, analyze, and apply legal principles, facts, and precedents to legal issues, including issues in unfamiliar or developing areas of law.
Communicate clearly and professionally, including translating legal concepts into practical guidance for non-legal audiences.
Manage multiple assignments thoughtfully and timely, balancing attention to detail with practical judgment about priorities and risk.
Demonstrate initiative, intellectual curiosity, sound judgment, and a willingness to learn from colleagues, business partners, and new assignments.
Maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion in handling sensitive, privileged, regulated, or business-sensitive information.
Commit to infrequent travel.
Education and Experience:
Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
Active, good standing membership in the Minnesota State Bar or eligibility to obtain required Minnesota licensure.
Approximately 3-6 years of legal experience or practice, preferably including exposure to one or more of the following areas: technology and data privacy, corporate law, health care law, regulatory matters, nonprofit law, research, compliance, contract law, or policy development. Collaborative candidates with strong legal judgment, writing skills, and learning agility are encouraged to apply even if they do not have experience in all listed areas.