General Counsel

Berklee College of Music, Incorporated; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 350,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

Berklee College of Music is seeking a General Counsel to serve as the chief legal officer and strategic advisor. The role involves managing legal matters and collaborating with senior administration on policy and risk-related issues.

Key qualifications include a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school, membership in a U.S. jurisdiction, and expertise in areas such as intellectual property and higher education compliance. The position offers a competitive salary range of $350,000 to $400,000, dependent on experience.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to Berklee’s mission and passion for music.
• Ability to convey complex information to diverse audiences.
• Risk-assessment skills and ability to analyze risks.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the President and senior administration.
• Lead regulatory compliance efforts and collaborate across departments.
• Oversee the Contract Management Team and represent Berklee in transactions.

Skills

Expertise in intellectual property

Experience in higher education-related matters

Strong knowledge of federal and state laws

Experience managing attorneys

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Education

J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school

Membership in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction

Job description

Position Overview

The General Counsel (GC) serves as Berklee’s chief legal officer and a key strategic advisor to the President and senior administration. The GC oversees and manages legal matters arising from Berklee’s programs and associated activities and plays a central role at the intersection of law, institutional policy, and strategic leadership.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic thought partner and trusted advisor to the President and senior administration on critical legal, policy, and risk-related issues.
• Work closely with the President, senior administration, and the Board on the formulation and implementation of Berklee’s legal and litigation strategy and on corporate governance matters.
• Provide timely, practical guidance on a broad range of legal and policy matters impacting higher education, including student affairs, research, data privacy, real estate, intellectual property, employment law, governance, nonprofit and tax matters.
• Lead comprehensive regulatory compliance efforts and collaborate across departments, programs, and affiliated entities on enterprise risk management.
• Provide clear, creative, and supportive leadership in labor matters, including collaborative engagement with union leadership.
• Support the development and execution of strategic partnerships to advance Berklee’s mission and global priorities.
• Support crisis prevention and response strategies.
• Oversee the Contract Management Team in review, drafting, negotiation of contracts and transactional documents and represent Berklee in commercial transactions.
• Proactively monitor legal developments, regulatory trends, and legislative initiatives relevant to Berklee’s operations and strategic objectives.
• Establish relationships with and supervise the work of outside counsel.
• Draft and advise on the development of institutional policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an ABA‑accredited law school.
• Membership in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction with ability to become licensed in Massachusetts within one year of hire.
• Experience and interest in the intersection of technology, higher education, and the creative arts.
• Expertise in intellectual property, especially at the convergence of music, higher education, and technology.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, administrative best practices, and large‑commercial transactions.
• Experience interacting with boards of trustees, preparing board materials, and advising on corporate governance, fiduciary duties, ethics, legal compliance, and strategic transactions.
• Experience managing attorneys across legal disciplines and selecting/supervising outside counsel.
• Experience in higher‑education‑related matters such as TitleIX, FERPA, the Clery Act, and the Higher Education Act (preferred).

Key Attributes

• Demonstrated commitment to Berklee’s mission and passion for music and the performing arts.
• Strategic thinking, progressive approach, and entrepreneurial leadership.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to convey complex information to diverse audiences.
• Strong judgment, adaptability, emotional intelligence, and integrity.
• Risk‑assessment skills and ability to identify, analyze, and calibrate risks.
• Outstanding executive leadership with proven ability to support a large, complex organization.
• Enthusiasm for campus life and capacity to navigate change swiftly.
• Commitment to excellence, intellectual curiosity, strong work ethic, and high ethical standards.

Salary

Hiring Range: $350,000 to $400,000; salary dependent on relevant experience and education.

Benefits

Please visit the Berklee Total Rewards page for a complete listing of benefits.

EEO Statement

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Equal Employment Opportunity at Berklee: We support an inclusive workplace where everyone excels based on personal merit, qualifications, experience, ability, and job performance. Berklee affirms that inequality is detrimental to our faculty, staff, students, and the communities we serve. Our goal is to make lasting change through our actions. Berklee is committed to providing fair and equitable consideration of all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, place of birth, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, or status as a member of the armed forces or veteran of the armed forces, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. As part of this commitment, Berklee will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the Human Resources Team at [e-mail] or call 617-747-2375. *Currently enrolled Berklee students are not permitted to apply for staff or faculty positions.*