General Counsel

North Carolina Central University

Durham (NC)

On-site

USD 150,000 - 210,000

Full time

2 days ago

Be an early applicant

Get more replies from employers

Send a job-specific resume in minutes.

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation and sick leave

Health insurance

11-12 Paid holidays

Retirement plan (TSERS)

Job summary

North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC seeks a General Counsel to lead the Office of Legal Affairs and advise the Chancellor and senior leadership on complex legal and regulatory matters.

The role requires a JD, active North Carolina bar admission, and at least ten years of relevant practice. You will manage a small legal team, shape governance, and collaborate across the university to protect institutional interests.

Qualifications

JD from an ABA-accredited law school.
Bar membership in good standing in North Carolina or eligible.
At least ten years of legal practice experience.
Experience as counsel in higher education or related sectors.
Strong advisory, negotiation and leadership abilities.

Responsibilities

Provide broad policy advice to the Executive Vice Chancellor and senior leadership.
Oversee the Office of Legal Affairs and supervise staff, including a paralegal and fellow.
Ensure governance, regulatory compliance and risk management across the University.
Collaborate with OHR on labor and employment matters and related processes.
Coordinate legal affairs with federal, state and local agencies and officials.

Skills

Legal leadership

Diplomacy

Oral & written communication

Strategic advisory

Team leadership

Collaboration

Diversity & inclusion

Regulatory compliance

Risk management

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Bar admission (NC or eligible)

Job description

Department Hiring Range The salary is competitive and will be determined based on the candidate’s educational background, relevant experience, qualifications, and demonstrated expertise.

EEO-1 Category

EEO-1 Category Officials & Managers

SOC Code

Position Overview

Be an Eagle - Where Purpose Takes Flight!

Are you ready to make an impact? At North Carolina Central University ( NCCU ), we are more than an institution—we are a community rooted in a legacy of excellence and transformation. A historically Black university located in Durham, North Carolina, also known as ‘The City of Medicine,’ NCCU has been a cornerstone of education since 1910, fostering innovation and progress.
Join our team and enjoy a comprehensive benefits package and exclusive perks designed to support your work-life balance. At NCCU , your professional growth will be nurtured, and your contributions will help shape the future for our students and the community we serve. Become part of a legacy that drives change and achievement.
An opportunity awaits you at NCCU , where your purpose can take flight.
Visit NCCU .edu .

Employee Benefits available to NCCU permanent employees include the following and more:

Accrued Vacation and Sick Leave
Community Service Leave
NCFlex – Vision, Dental, Flexible Spending Account, Life Insurance and more
11-12 Paid Holidays
Teachers and State Employees Retirement System ( TSERS )
Optional Supplemental Plans – 401k, 403b, 457b and 457
Employee Assistance Program ( EAP )
Campus Recreation Center Discount
University Bookstore Discount and more.

Primary Function of Organizational Unit

The General Counsel serves as the chief legal advisor to the Executive Vice Chancellor, Board of Trustees, senior leadership team and administrators, and heads the Office of Legal Affairs which provides legal advice and counsel on all matters affecting the legal rights or obligations of the University.

Primary Purpose of Position

Under the general direction of the Executive Vice Chancellor, the General Counsel has significant responsibilities related to the governance system, ethical behavior of all leadership, and regulatory compliance. The role is responsible for providing broad policy advice to the Executive Vice Chancellor and the Chancellor’s executive leadership team, as well as providing respected personnel advice on a broad range of issues related to senior leadership.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Familiarity with a broad array of legal issues that arise in a higher education setting and/or experience as counsel in higher education is preferred.
Additional qualifications include:

Experience in a broad spectrum of state and federal legal issues affecting higher education, including tort law, intellectual property rights, human resources law, worker’s compensation and occupational health law, student legal issues, and the ability to conduct legal research and analysis
Strong diplomatic and interpersonal skills
Keen sense of contemporary diversity issues
Superior oral and written communication skills
An ability to manage and prioritize a large and varied workload
An established reputation for honesty and integrity
Demonstrate the ability to provide leadership and direction for the legal staff
A collaborative work style and the ability to work effectively as part of an institutional leadership team

The position requires a minimum of ten years of legal practice experience in a relevant area, having attained a senior position of responsibility in firm, corporation, government agency, or other organization that employs the individual; hold a JD degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school, be a member in good standing of the Bar of the state or recognized jurisdiction in which the individual practices law; and have the prompt eligibility for such license and standing in North Carolina.

Licenses or Certification required by Statute or Regulation

The candidate must also have a North Carolina State Bar membership in good standing, or licensure in good standing in another state on the date of initial employment and licensure to practice law in North Carolina within one year following initial employment.

Pre-Employment Requirement

Pre-Employment Requirements:

You must complete and submit an electronic application for employment to be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing an electronic application.
Applicants seeking Veteran’s Preference must attach a DD 214 form or those seeking National Guard Preference must attach as NG23A form. Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty with your application during the process of applying to the job posting.
Final candidates are subject to criminal background checks, and education/license verification prior to employment.
North Carolina Central 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Consistent with the policy of the State of North Carolina, North Carolina Central University ( NCCU ) reaffirms that it has been, and will continue to be, the policy of this University to be an equal opportunity employer. North Carolina Central University is committed to providing educational opportunities and prohibits discrimination against students, applicants, employees, or visitors based on race, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, or veteran status. Any individual alleging discrimination based on sexual orientation cannot grieve beyond the University’s internal grievance process. In keeping with this policy, and to further the principle of equal opportunity, all other personnel matters such as recruitment, selection, hiring, promotion, compensation, performance appraisal, disciplinary actions, benefits, transfers, separations, reduction in force, grievance procedures, company-sponsored training, education, tuition assistance, and social and recreational programs will also continue to be administered in accordance with this policy.

Work Location

Work Location Fully On-site (dedicated office at Duty Station)

Primary Responsibilities and Duties

Function

Function Administrative

Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.

The General Counsel provides advice and counsel on all legal matters relevant to the University transactional matters, compliance and regulatory affairs, intellectual property, technology transfer, labor and employment, administrative procedures and open records among many other items. The General Counsel coordinates the University’s legal affairs with federal, state, local government and affiliated entities. The position supervises a staff that consist of, the Assistant University Legal Counsel, a paralegal, and a Higher Education Legal Fellow.

Function

Function Analysis and Decision Making

Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.

The position requires a trustworthy, highly responsible advisor and leader who can provide timely, strategic and creative strategies for solving legal problems and capitalizing on legal opportunities. The General Counsel must possess an appreciation for the mission, vision and values of a diverse academic community and have a clear sense of the role and impact of shared governance at NCCU . The individual in this position must be able to thrive in a highly collaborative environment; translate complex ideas into cogent messages; and partner with the necessary stakeholders to drive change. As a senior advisor to the Executive Vice Chancellor, General Counsel must possess exceptional judgment.

Function

Function Communication and Consultation

Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.

The General Counsel is expected to maintain proactive, timely, and collaborative communication with University leadership and key stakeholders. The position must engage the appropriate parties early in matters that may present significant legal, regulatory, employment, financial, operational, or reputational risk and participate in relevant meetings when legal guidance may affect a proposed decision or course of action. The General Counsel must translate complex legal matters into clear, practical, and actionable guidance, including an assessment of risk, available options, and potential consequences. The position must also clearly distinguish between legal advice, policy interpretation, operational recommendations, and decisions that rest with the responsible University administrator, while respecting the established authority of University offices. The General Counsel will work closely with OHR on labor and employment matters, including disciplinary actions, investigations, grievances, accommodations, and separations, while recognizing OHR’s responsibility for administering personnel processes and providing human resources recommendations. The position is responsible for establishing effective protocols for consultation, escalation, documentation, and follow‑up; promptly communicating significant risks, deadlines, and unresolved issues; maintaining appropriate confidentiality; and ensuring that responsible stakeholders receive the information necessary to implement decisions. As a senior advisor to the Executive Vice Chancellor, the General Counsel must possess exceptional judgment, communicate candidly and diplomatically, build productive relationships across the University, and balance legal risk with the University’s mission, operational needs, institutional values, and established decision‑making authority.

Posting Number

Posting Number EPA03551P

Open Date

Open Date 08/19/2026

Priority Applicant Consideration Date

Priority Applicant Consideration Date 09/07/2026

Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Date Position Available

Special Instructions to Applicants

Required Documents