Chief of Staff to the SVP and General Counsel (Office of the General Counsel)

Johns Hopkins, founded in 1876, is America's first research university and home to nine world-class academic divisions working together as one university.

Johns Hopkins University (JHU or the University) is seeking a highly accomplished and results-driven Chief of Staff (COS) to serve as a strategic partner and trusted advisor to the Senior Vice President and General Counsel. This position operates at the nexus of strategy, operations, and organizational leadership in a manner that drives alignment across the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) and the broader University.

The COS will play a critical role in strengthening organizational effectiveness, fostering a collaborative and high‑performing culture, and advancing key strategic initiatives. Working closely with the General Counsel and other senior leaders within OGC, the COS will ensure that priorities are clearly defined, resources are optimally deployed, and complex initiatives are executed with discipline, transparency, and accountability.

In close partnership with the Legal Operations Advisor, this position will help shape and sustain operational excellence and efficiency across OGC by ensuring that systems, processes, and talent are aligned to meet evolving institutional priorities and client needs.

This role requires exceptional judgment, executive presence, and the ability to build trusted relationships across a diverse and sophisticated academic environment. A successful candidate will demonstrate enhanced emotional intelligence, anticipate and meet the needs of OGC leadership, and navigate competing priorities with agility and discretion.

Overall, the Chief of Staff will facilitate strategic oversight of critical projects and issues to enable OGC to deliver forward‑looking, high‑impact legal counsel in a manner that effectively supports the University’s academic, research, and operational objectives.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Strategic Advising and Executive Partnership: Serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the General Counsel on high‑priority, institutionally significant matters. Areas of oversight include office management, policy development and execution, and institutional priorities, in collaboration with the Legal Operations Advisor and OGC leadership.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as a key advisor to the OGC leadership team, providing timely, strategic guidance on matters within scope and ensuring alignment with institutional priorities.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with the Deputy General Counsel and Practice Group Leaders on cross‑cutting initiatives and emerging legal issues. Foster strategic alignment, consensus, and coordinated action in pursuit of the General Counsel’s vision and University objectives.
• Resource Management and Alignment: Ensure that the General Counsel and OGC leaders are prepared for all internal and external engagements, including Board‑related materials and communications. Work with Practice Group Leaders to effectively manage priorities and ensure alignment with internal resources.
• Operational Excellence and Process Innovation: Collaborate with Legal Operations Advisor to identify and realize opportunities for process innovation, workflow efficiency, and organizational effectiveness.
• Organizational Leadership and Talent Management: Oversee key human capital processes, including compensation, talent acquisition, performance management, staff development, workforce planning, and employee relations in partnership with divisional and central Human Resources colleagues.
• Compliance and Ethical Stewardship: Champion a culture of integrity, ensuring adherence to all applicable laws, regulations, policies, and ethical standards across OGC operations.
• Budgeting: Oversee development, implementation, and oversight of OGC’s annual budget. Provide expert advice to the General Counsel on resource planning, forecasting, and strategic investments to ensure responsible stewardship and alignment with institutional priorities.
• Professional Development and Performance Management for Staff: Work with internal HR resources to identify staff development needs and facilitate professional development opportunities that cultivate talent, support learning, and build a culture of excellence.
• Professional Development and Performance Management for Lawyers: Manage the annual review cycle for all attorneys, promote ongoing professional advancement, and drive continuous improvement. Identify development needs and facilitate opportunities that enhance capability, engagement, and retention.
• Process Improvement: Collaborate with the Legal Operations Advisor and cross‑functional partners to identify, develop, and refine operational processes that align with the evolving needs of the office and enhance overall efficiency and effectiveness.
• Representation: May attend meetings on behalf of the General Counsel and/or Deputy General Counsel, as requested. Advocate effectively for OGC’s strategic objectives, articulate the office’s priorities diplomatically, and participate meaningfully to further organizational and institutional goals.
• Perform other related duties as requested to ensure a highly productive and collaborative environment across OGC.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
• Minimum seven (7) years of increasing responsible experience in strategic management, legal operations, legal administration, senior paralegal experience, or law practice management, gained in‑house, in the government, or at a law firm.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.
• Exceptional communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Proven capacity for tactful collaboration and ensuring confidentiality at all times.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, cross‑functional projects using formal project management methodologies.
• Proven experience modernizing or building new operations functions, workflows, or systems.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including the ability to share presentations and influence senior leadership and diverse stakeholder groups.
• Proficiency with legal operations technologies, including matter management systems, e‑billing software, and document management tools.
• Experience working with analysis software such as Power BI, Onit, Tableau, and Excel.
• Demonstrated ability to drive organizational change and technology adoption across diverse teams.
• Experience mentoring junior staff and supporting professional growth.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive and bring focus and clear prioritization to multiple, simultaneous, complex, and competing high‑profile situations or projects in a dynamic and fast‑paced environment where expectations for performance and productivity are high.
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence and the ability to use diplomacy and sensitivity in working with a diverse and broad range of constituents and relate effectively to individuals throughout all levels of the organization and its external stakeholders.

Technical Skills & Expected Level of Proficiency

• Budgeting: Intermediate
• Project Planning: Advanced
• Critical Thinking: Advanced
• Operational Oversight: Advanced
• Process Improvement: Advanced
• Project Management: Advanced
• Project Documentation: Intermediate
• Resource Management: Intermediate
• Stakeholder Engagement: Advanced
• Strategic Thinking: Advanced

Technical skills listed are most essential; additional technical skills may be required based on specific division or department needs.

Precise compensation and employment terms are contingent upon successful completion of a pre‑employment background check.

The expected base pay salary range for this position is $175,000–$220,000.

Equal Opportunity Employer / EEO Statements

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other basis protected by law.