Higher Education Counsel & Policy Advisor

Colby College; Waterville (ME); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Colby College seeks an Assistant General Counsel to provide close legal guidance on higher-education matters, compliance, and risk management. You will work with College leadership, faculty, and staff to address complex regulatory issues, draft policies, review contracts, and support litigation as needed.

The role emphasizes service, discretion, and professional integrity within a dynamic, mission-driven liberal arts environment. Some evenings and remote work arrangements may be required.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school; bar admission in Maine or commitment to Maine licensure within two years.
• 3–5 years of relevant legal experience, preferably in higher education, business, or a comparable setting.
• Strong ethics, integrity, confidentiality, and professional judgment; demonstrated legal research and writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and guidance to College leadership and campus constituencies on a broad range of institutional legal and regulatory matters.
• Assist with compliance, risk management, and policy development; support litigation and regulatory proceedings as needed.
• Coordinate with outside counsel, monitor engagement quality and costs, and help develop practical legal strategies.
• Support enterprise risk management initiatives and provide training and resources to faculty and staff.

Skills

Legal research

Written communication

Oral advocacy

Collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

NetDocuments

Gemini

NotebookLM

Excel

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Colby College seeks an Assistant General Counsel to provide close legal guidance on higher-education matters, compliance, and risk management. You will work with College leadership, faculty, and staff to address complex regulatory issues, draft policies, review contracts, and support litigation as needed.

The role emphasizes service, discretion, and professional integrity within a dynamic, mission-driven liberal arts environment. Some evenings and remote work arrangements may be required.