Senior Associate University Attorney and Privacy Officer

East Carolina University; Greenville (NC); On-site; USD 167,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

East Carolina University seeks a Senior Associate University Attorney and Privacy Officer to lead the university's privacy program, ensuring compliance with HIPAA, FERPA, GDPR, GLBA, and related laws. The role requires collaboration with senior leaders on data governance and security matters.

The Senior Associate General Counsel will advise executive leadership, manage incident response, and coordinate with IT and clinical/research units to mitigate digital risk. Requires a J.D.

Qualifications

• J.D. degree from ABA-accredited law school and admission to the North Carolina Bar within one year of hire.
• Minimum of 5 years of legal practice experience.
• Experience in privacy law, data governance, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for the university's privacy program and regulatory compliance.
• Advise the General Counsel and senior administrators on privacy, data security, and related transactions.
• Coordinate with IT, clinical practices, and research enterprises to manage digital risk and incident response.
• Serve as HIPAA Privacy Officer and liaison with external regulators as needed.

Skills

HIPAA Privacy Officer

Privacy compliance

Data governance

Legal advisory

Education

J.D. from ABA-accredited law school

Job description

Job Title

Senior Associate University Attorney and Privacy Officer

Contract Type

Full Time

Location

Greenville, N.C.

Position Details

Position Number: 500709

Vacancy Open to: All Candidates

Department: CHH Office of University Counsel

Division: Chancellor

Classification Title: Associate University Attorney

Working Title: Senior Associate University Attorney and Privacy Officer

Number of Vacancies: 1

Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Position Type: Non-Faculty

Job Category: Non-Faculty Professional

Anticipated Recruitment Range: $166,500-$185,000

About East Carolina University

East Carolina University (ECU) is consistently ranked among the nation's top public universities for its commitment to research, innovation, social mobility, and public service. Classified as a R1 institution by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education, ECU is among the top 5% of research universities in the United States, an elite designation reflecting the highest levels of research activity, funding, and doctoral output.

Founded in 1907, ECU is a public, four-year university located in Greenville, N.C., which is widely regarded as the cultural, educational, economic, and medical hub of eastern North Carolina. Through education, research, healthcare, community engagement, athletics, cultural enrichment, and service, ECU enhances the quality of life for its students, the state and communities around the world. It is a great place to work, teach, and learn.

ECU's commitment to impactful scholarship is further demonstrated through its repeated Carnegie Community Engagement Classification (2010, 2015, 2024), as well as its 2024 designation as a Carnegie Leadership for Public Purpose institution. These distinctions recognize the university's leadership in translating research into meaningful community partnerships and measurable societal benefits.

The university supports its workforce through a wide range of professional development opportunities designed to foster career growth and skill advancement. Eligible employees also benefit from a comprehensive benefits package that promotes a healthy work-life balance.

Primary Purpose of Position

The Senior Associate General Counsel & Privacy Officer will provide leadership and oversight for the University's compliance with the wide range of privacy laws and regulations. The Senior Associate General Counsel and Privacy Officer has the responsibility of assisting the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsels in providing comprehensive legal advice and assistance to East Carolina University, particularly with respect to transactional, data governance, and privacy matters. This position will report directly to the Deputy General Counsel and Associate Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs or General Counsel and will assist in advising the Chancellor, the Provost and other senior administrators including vice chancellors, deans and department chairs, as well as the Board of Trustees, faculty and staff concerning legal matters related to transactions, data governance, data privacy and security, artificial intelligence, and data incident and breach response. This position will serve as the University’s HIPAA Privacy Officer and will develop, implement, maintain, and monitor privacy-focused policies, procedures, and guidelines to keep the University in compliance with Federal, State, and International regulations. This position requires extensive coordination with senior leaders across the clinical practices, academic medical center, and research enterprises. The Privacy Officer will partner regularly with information technology professionals and must have knowledge of information security and data governance principles in order to assist in improving the institution's approach to managing digital risk across dispersed units, committees, and systems.

This position utilizes knowledge of legal and compliance issues relating to HIPAA, federal and state privacy laws, FERPA, data breach response laws, General Data Protection Regulation, Gramm Leach Bliley Act, and the Federal Information Security Modernization Act. The Privacy Officer will build and maintain a comprehensive privacy program that coordinates informational resources, training, complaints, notices, and breach or non-compliance audits or investigations regarding various Privacy obligations arising from applicable laws and regulations.

The Senior Associate General Counsel & Privacy Officer serves as a liaison between East Carolina University and (1) the legal staff of the University of North Carolina Office of the President, (2) the legal staff of the North Carolina Department of Justice/Office of the Attorney General, and (3) other entities outside the University. The Senior Associate General Counsel & Privacy Officer represents the University before a variety of external regulatory and law enforcement agencies. This function requires responding to inquiries, charges, or complaints, registered by or with such organizations, usually through conducting internal investigations; marshaling evidence; and assisting in the development and articulation of responses by University administrators and preparation for related investigations, hearings and/or litigation.

May fill as Associate General Counsel and Privacy Officer (classification and working title) based on qualifications and experience of selected candidate.

Minimum Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Ex: J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school; and either a current member in good standing of the North Carolina Bar or eligible for admission to the North Carolina Bar within one (1) year of hiring and a minimum of (5) years of legal practice experience.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Prefer Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) and experience in data privacy compliance with extensive working knowledge of GDPR, HIPAA, FERPA, GLBA and other privacy laws. Prefer experience managing data security and incident response matters, and building compliance program.

Job Open Date

09/08/2026

Open Until Filled

Yes

Initial Screening Begins

09/22/2026

Nondiscrimination Statement

East Carolina University is committed to workforce success and cultivating a culture of care for our employees. ECU prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment based on race/ethnicity, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status or disability.

Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) should contact the ADA Coordinator at [phone] (Voice/TTY) or [e-mail].

Eligibility for Employment

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. ECU 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.