Job Description

Department:

Pay Rate Type:

Employee Type:

Job Summary:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Advise, collaborate on, and manage a wide array of legal and regulatory matters especially in areas pertaining to employment/labor law, as well as discrimination law, the Higher Education Authorization Act, Titles VI, VII, and IX, and various student-centered legal matters

• Exercise decision-making authority in a set of substantive law areas and legal matters assigned by the General Counsel

• Demonstrate extraordinary leadership and client management talent and skills in the provision of legal services and support to the College

• Partner closely with the General Counsel to oversee and manage litigation, regulatory/compliance matters, and internal investigations

• Conduct and manage legal research and analysis and deliver advice and counsel, especially in complex and sophisticated areas of higher education law

• Work collaboratively with College leadership and develop creative and innovative strategies to resolve legal matters in academic and administrative areas

• Collaborate with College departments and College leadership in policy development and policy management based on current and emerging trends in the law

• Collaborate with the Assistant General Counsel/Director of Risk Management on compliance and enterprise risk management activities and undertakings

• Assist the General Counsel in managing outside counsel to ensure efficient and cost-effective service

• and the delivery of high quality and timely work

• Develop expertise in new and emerging areas of the law all within a complex and dynamic higher education environment

• Develop and provide training to faculty, students, and administrative staff on legal and compliance issues

• Staff Board of Trustees committees as necessary, including the Enterprise Risk/Audit Subcommittee

• Serve on campus committees and participate in service to the campus community

• Assist in the oversight and management of the Office of General Counsel legal internship program

• Develop and maintain networks of counsel supporting higher education, including attendance at professional development conferences, trainings, seminars and workshops as necessary to maintain job knowledge and skills

• Perform additional duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Advanced degree with six or more years of legal experience in higher education.

• Substantial and in-depth legal experience, especially involving employment law and student affairs legal and policy matters, such as academic integrity, Title IX and student disciplinary issues, and higher education regulatory/compliance law

• Juris Doctor (J.D.); licensure to practice in Maine within two years following employment with the College

• Demonstrated ability to thrive professionally, including excellent customer service skills and ability to work collaboratively as a valued partner in the office

• Demonstrated talent and skill in program leadership, exceptionally sound personal judgment and initiative, and excellent legal matter management skills

• Ability to manage/work through differences and drive consensus in resolving challenging legal issues

• Highest commitment to ethics, integrity and honesty, and the aspirations of the legal profession and lawyering, and strong interpersonal skills

• Ability to work varying and sometimes demanding hours and schedules including weekends and evenings, as needed

• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships across a broad range of diverse constituencies, including high level executives and administrators in a complex institutional environment

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as and when needed, exercising good judgment and initiative, and making decisions on issues and matters assigned to Associate General Counsel

• Ability to skillfully communicate complex legal concepts in a non-legal manner

• Demonstrated enthusiasm for learning emerging areas of higher education law

• Ability to oversee and maintain highly confidential information

• Effective time management, personnel management, organizational, multi-tasking, and matter management skills

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills

• Excellent analytical, research, advocacy, diplomacy, and problem solving skills

• Strong presentation skills and the capacity to organize and explain complex and complicated legal information and concepts

• Appropriate sense of urgency and superior ability to manage a demanding caseload of routine and complex matters with grace, patience, diplomacy, and good temperament

• Computer literate in Microsoft Word, the Google suite of tools, Excel and Adobe Acrobat

• Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities in a dynamic environment

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

The Associate General Counsel reports to the General Counsel. This position has significant interactions with administrators, faculty, staff, students and other outside constituencies, and is expected to undertake and manage a multitude of legal affairs and matters of the College as assigned by the General Counsel.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:
General office and campus environment. Position involves sitting, although frequent movement is necessary. Walking, standing, bending, twisting, and occasional lifting is required. Computer usage involving repetitive and/wrist motion is required. This is a full-time position located in Waterville, Maine. The successful candidate will be expected to work primarily on campus, with some opportunity for limited remote work, to be discussed. Work may involve varying hours and schedules including weekends and evenings, as needed.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Successful and satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check).