General Counsel

Spencer Stuart- Washington DC; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 260,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Drexel University is seeking a strategic and highly engaged General Counsel to serve as its chief legal officer and trusted advisor to the President, Board of Trustees, and senior leadership. This role leads the Office of the General Counsel and shapes the University’s legal and risk management function in support of its transformation and strategic agenda.

The General Counsel will provide practical counsel on legal, regulatory, governance, reputational, and operational matters, partnering with

Qualifications

• 15+ years of legal leadership in higher education or regulated environments.
• Proven ability to advise senior leadership and navigate governance challenges.
• Strong judgment and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead Drexel's Office of the General Counsel and legal risk function.
• Serve as chief legal officer to the President, Board of Trustees and senior leadership.
• Provide practical, forward‑looking counsel on policy, governance and operations.
• Manage outside counsel and align legal resources with institutional priorities.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Board governance liaison

Risk management

Job description

Drexel University ("Drexel") is seeking a strategic, business-minded, and highly engaged legal executive to serve as its next General Counsel. Joining the University at a pivotal moment of transformation, the General Counsel will serve as Drexel’s chief legal officer and a trusted strategic advisor to the President, Board of Trustees, and senior leadership team. As a key member of the University’s leadership, the General Counsel will provide forward-looking, practical counsel on the legal, regulatory, governance, reputational, and operational considerations affecting Drexel and its mission.

Working closely with the President and other senior leaders, the General Counsel will play an important role in helping shape and execute the University’s transformation and broader strategic agenda. This individual will anticipate challenges, identify pathways forward, and bring a solutions-oriented perspective to complex decisions. The successful candidate will understand that effective legal leadership requires more than identifying risk; they will help Drexel evaluate appropriate tradeoffs, pursue opportunities with informed confidence, and translate strategic priorities into action.

The General Counsel will lead Drexel’s Office of the General Counsel ("OGC") and the University’s legal and risk management function, developing and empowering a talented team and fostering a collaborative, responsive, proactive, and problem-solving culture. The General Counsel will position the OGC as an enabling partner to the University, ensuring the team brings strong legal judgment alongside a practical understanding of Drexel’s objectives and helps leaders navigate risk while moving important priorities forward. This leader will build strong relationships throughout the institution, establish credibility with a broad range of constituents, and ensure that legal guidance is clear, timely, pragmatic, and aligned with Drexel’s objectives. The General Counsel will also manage outside counsel and ensure that the University’s legal resources are deployed effectively and efficiently. The General Counsel will provide leadership and oversight to the University Secretary team, which supports the Board of Trustees and its committees, helping ensure effective governance, Board operations, and coordination between the Board and University leadership.

The successful candidate will be an energetic and engaged leader who operates with urgency, intellectual agility, and sound judgment. Approachable and willing to engage directly in important matters, the General Counsel will bring the strategic perspective and hands‑on orientation needed to serve as a true business partner to the President and University leadership. They will have the confidence to provide independent counsel and engage in constructive debate, while remaining aligned around decisions and focused on execution.

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned legal executive with 15+ years of experience and broad expertise in higher education or another complex, regulated environment. They will be a strategic, pragmatic advisor to senior leadership, balancing legal risk with institutional priorities. They will also be a collaborative, low‑ego leader with strong judgment, communication skills, and a proven ability to lead high-performing legal teams.

The Search Process