General Counsel

For full consideration, please apply by June 8, 2026.

This is a remarkable opportunity to lead and shape the future during a vibrant period of accomplishment at Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt). The General Counsel joins MassArt at a time of strong institutional momentum, with a dynamic leadership team, a revitalized branding initiative, and the launch of a refreshed Strategic Partnership Plan. Under the guidance of an inspiring President, MassArt continues its trajectory of transformative growth while remaining steadfast in its mission to cultivate artists, designers, educators, and makers from diverse backgrounds who shape communities, economies, and cultures for the common good. MassArt is the nation’s only independent public college of art and design, serving over 2,000 undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education students.

The General Counsel will serve as the University’s chief legal and compliance officer, providing strategic legal guidance to the President, Board of Trustees, President’s Cabinet, and senior leadership on a broad and complex range of matters. As a collaborative partner, the General Counsel promotes sound decision-making and mitigates institutional risk, ensuring policies and practices align with legal requirements and best practices in higher education. This is a highly engaged role requiring a proactive, solutions-oriented approach and the ability to advise across a wide range of institutional issues, from employment and labor relations to free expression, student matters, and emerging regulatory challenges. The General Counsel oversees the University’s compliance program, centralized policy management system, and Enterprise Risk Management process, while advising on employment matters, governance, contracts, and regulatory compliance, and managing relationships with outside counsel.

This role is highly visible across the institution, serving as a trusted and accessible advisor on sensitive and high-profile matters. The General Counsel will be a proactive partner to campus leaders, known for sound judgment, strong communication, and the ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, practical guidance. The General Counsel works closely with Human Resources, Equal Opportunity/Title IX, and other administrative units to support compliance, resolve complex issues, and mitigate risk. The General Counsel brings exceptional judgment, integrity, and discretion, with the ability to navigate complex legal landscapes in support of the University’s mission.

This position reports to the President and supervises the Executive Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX, as well as co-supervision of the Administrative and Special Projects Coordinator.

This is a fully on-site position and offers a generous benefits package.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide legal counsel and strategic guidance to the officers of the institution and other senior management on all legal matters relevant to a public higher education institution, including personnel law, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations, and laws pertaining to students, purchasing contracts, grants, Memorandums of Understanding, worker compensation, liability and insurance matters, public monies and purchases, affirmative action, and other laws and regulations
• Serve as a proactive, solutions-oriented advisor to campus leaders, providing clear, practical guidance on complex and sensitive issues across all areas of the institution
• Advise and support the Human Resources team with matters related to employment law issues (Titles VI, VII, and IX, ADA, FLSA, and FMLA), employment policies, benefits administration, matters of compliance with state and federal regulations, and recommendations for corrective actions as needed
• Oversee the University’s collective bargaining agreements, providing counsel to the president, senior administrators, and human resources team on personnel actions, discipline, and grievances
• Advise and support the Equal Opportunity Office, providing oversight and guidance
• Perform legal research and analysis regarding a wide range of legislative, regulatory, and other institutional matters and presents findings to the President, Cabinet, and Board of Trustees
• Oversee enterprise risk management and compliance committee to ensure that the University is following federal, state, and local policies, and regulations
• Participate in the development, review, and updating of policies and administrative procedures, as needed
• Inform the President, Cabinet and staff of changes to legislation, Board Policy, Administrative procedures and other issues impacting operations
• Examine, create and maintain draft agreements and legal documents of College’s operations
• Maintain confidentiality of privileged information and adhere to applicable privacy laws.
• Demonstrate sensitivity, understanding and respect of diverse populations within the workplace
• Represent or oversee the representation of the institution and upper management in judicial and administrative proceedings, and in negotiations with other state agencies
• Build and maintain strong relationships with state agencies, peer institutions, and external partners to inform legal strategy and leverage available resources
• Ensure that the College’s commitment to Justice, Equity and Transformation is incorporated in all College processes and programming

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment
• Ability to provide sound legal advice and counsel to senior university officials on a wide range of legal and policy issues
• Knowledge of the range of applicable laws and regulations which impact on all facets of university policy and operations
• Ability to analyze and interpret issues and to prepare legal opinions
• Ability to communicate and interact with officials at all levels of government

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited U.S. law school and current license to practice in the State of Massachusetts, or eligibility to apply for admission at the time of application
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive responsibility in higher education or public-sector law, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Knowledge of and familiarity with applicable regulations, laws and statutes governing employment and higher education, including but not limited to Titles IV, VI, VII and IX, as well as ADA, FLSA, and FMLA
• Experience operating in a collective bargaining environment
• Strong skills in legal research and analysis
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to organize work to meet established deadlines while maintaining attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain positive and professional relationships with a diverse range of internal and external community members with differing education, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds
• Proven ability to serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, exercising exceptional judgment and discretion in complex and sensitive matters with significant institutional impact
• Maintains required training, licensure and/or certifications

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Previous work experience with higher education or public sector law with specialization in employment law and contract review
• Current or previous experience in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

To Apply

For full consideration, please apply by June 8, 2026.

To be viewed by the search firm, you must apply directly at: https://acesrch.applicantstack.com/x/detail/a21esjy9jm8r

Please apply through the application link and do not email applications.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially.

Inquiries and questions: Please send to MassArtGC@acesrch.com.

Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominee’s name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com.

Salary range for this position: $190,000-$200,000.