Deputy General Counsel

Job Location: Raleigh, North Carolina

Department: Office of General Counsel

About the Department

The NC State Office of General Counsel provides, manages and coordinates all legal services for the university in a collegial, responsive and professional manner. The office provides legal and risk management advice on a wide variety of matters to the Board of Trustees, the Chancellor, senior officers, other university administrators, and faculty and staff who are acting on behalf of the university. These matters include, but are not limited to, employment, student affairs, athletics, public records, real property, sponsored programs, intellectual property, purchasing and civil rights. The office represents the university in administrative proceedings before federal and state agencies and coordinates all litigation matters.

Essential Job Duties

The Deputy General Counsel plays a pivotal role in advancing the university’s mission by providing high-level legal counsel and strategic guidance on matters impacting North Carolina State University. As a trusted advisor and key member of the Office of General Counsel leadership team, this position reports directly to the Vice Chancellor and General Counsel.

The Deputy General Counsel will collaborate with a dedicated team of legal professionals to address a wide array of legal, risk management, and compliance issues, ensuring the university operates within legal and regulatory frameworks while supporting its academic and operational goals. This role is responsible for delivering proactive legal strategies, managing complex legal matters, and building strong relationships with university leadership, faculty, and staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Serves as a strategic advisor to the Vice Chancellor and General Counsel, providing expert legal advice and innovative solutions on issues affecting the university.
• Advises senior executives, department leaders, staff and faculty on legal risks and opportunities, ensuring alignment with university goals and policies.
• Oversees and manages legal services, depending on need, in areas such as, but not limited to, employment law, governance, contracts, risk management, litigation, and other areas as assigned by the Vice Chancellor and General Counsel. This may include high-profile legal matters and larger legal projects as necessary.
• Manages, mentors, and supervises Office of General Counsel staff in the delivery of legal services, including project allocation and performance assessment, advising on hiring decisions, identifying and providing training, engaging in ongoing direct supervision, addressing personnel issues and actions, and conducting performance reviews.
• Manages the effective delivery of outside legal services for legal matters when necessary, and manages related costs as assigned.
• Represents the university in negotiations, mediations, and proceedings as necessary, including proceedings before various local, state, and federal agencies and courts. Communicates, and interfaces with attorneys representing potential litigants and complainants having disputes with the University.
• Advises and serves on ad hoc and standing committees as assigned.
• Drafts, reviews, and recommends revisions to University policies.
• Provides training and presentations on legal issues and developments for members of the University community.
• Maintains and improves personal legal expertise by following developments and participating in continuing legal education regarding higher education law.
• In partnership with the Vice Chancellor and General Counsel, handles other legal and administrative duties as assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited U.S. law school
• North Carolina state bar admission or eligibility for admission within one year of hire.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant legal experience.

Other Required Qualifications

• High level of problem-solving ability including working collaboratively to find solutions to very complex problems.
• Ability to plan for and lead complex projects requiring a team approach for resolution within deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills, including demonstrated ability and judgment in the timely, effective transmission of information to key stakeholders.
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders in a collegial, team-oriented manner.
• Excellent legal analysis and advising skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in litigation (including specialized knowledge of state and federal litigation involving universities) and one or more additional fields of substantive law relevant to the needs of the University is preferred.
• Experience in employment law, ideally in a higher education setting, is preferred.
• General familiarity with some or all of the following areas is preferred: Student affairs (FERPA; Title IX, academic and non-academic discipline; disability accommodations and ADA compliance; local, state and federal civil rights laws affecting admissions, financial aid and programs; athletics; study abroad), Faculty and academic affairs (tenure, academic freedom, grievances), International and immigration law, Copyright and intellectual property, General liability/risk management, Litigation, Charitable giving and associated/affiliated entities, Complex commercial transactions and tax implications for state entities, College athletics, Research, Board governance laws

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

Must be licensed to practice law in the State of North Carolina (or eligibility for admission within 12 months of hire).

Valid NC Driver's License required: Yes

Commercial Driver's License required: No

Job Open Date: 11/21/2024

Special Instructions to Applicants: Please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for professional references.

Position Number: 00006027

Position Type: Exempt Professional Staff (Previously SAAO II)

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week): 1.00

Appointment: 12 Month Recurring