Chief Legal Officer - Higher Education & Strategy

ECPI University; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

ECPI University seeks a General Counsel to serve as the chief legal officer, providing executive-level leadership and strategic counsel across the institution in Virginia Beach. The role reports to the President and collaborates with senior leadership to align legal risk with institutional objectives.

The General Counsel will oversee governance, regulatory affairs, employment law, contracts, and risk management, while building an internal legal function and managing outside counsel as the

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with at least one state bar.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible legal experience advising senior executives or boards.
• Strong higher education, employment law, and contract experience.
• Experience managing outside counsel, litigation strategy, and institutional legal risk.
• Excellent written, analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Advise the President, executive leadership, and Board of Trustees on governance and fiduciary matters.
• Lead the University’s overall legal function, including outside counsel management.
• Provide practical, business-oriented legal guidance to support institutional objectives.
• Oversee employment law, contracts, and risk management across the University.
• Support strategic initiatives such as technology modernization and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Executive leadership

Negotiation

Strategic advisory

Communication

Legal risk management

Education

Juris Doctor (ABA-accredited)

State bar admission

Job description

ECPI University seeks a General Counsel to serve as the chief legal officer, providing executive-level leadership and strategic counsel across the institution in Virginia Beach. The role reports to the President and collaborates with senior leadership to align legal risk with institutional objectives.

The General Counsel will oversee governance, regulatory affairs, employment law, contracts, and risk management, while building an internal legal function and managing outside counsel as the