Deputy General Counsel

North Carolina State University; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Flexible Spending Account

Retirement programs

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Holidays

Job summary

North Carolina State University—Office of General Counsel—seeks a senior legal leader with a JD and extensive state and higher‑education experience to guide complex university matters. You will strategize with senior leadership, manage diverse legal services, and mentor staff to deliver robust legal solutions.

The role requires NC bar admission or eligibility and a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience, with a strong emphasis on collaboration, leadership, and expert advisory skills.

Qualifications

• 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.
• 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.

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 in areas such as employment law, governance, contracts, risk management, litigation, and other areas as assigned.
• Manages, mentors, and supervises Office of General Counsel staff in the delivery of legal services, including project allocation and performance assessment.
• Represents the university in negotiations, mediations, and proceedings before various agencies and courts; interfaces with attorneys representing parties.
• 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 continuing legal education in higher education law.

Skills

Problem solving

Project leadership

Communication skills

Stakeholder collaboration

Legal analysis and advising

Education

Juris Doctor degree

North Carolina bar admission or eligibility

Job description

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.

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.
• Advise 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.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well‑being.

What we offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• And so much more!

Attain Work‑life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part‑Time or Full‑Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

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

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

• Job Open Date: 11/21/2024
• Special Instructions: Please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for professional references.

Position Details

• 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
• Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather: Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather
• Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events: Non Mandatory - Emergency Event
• Department ID: 270101 - Office of General Counsel

EEO Statement

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail].

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.