Senior Counsel & Compliance Director, Higher Education

Merrimack College; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 135,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Merrimack College in North Andover, MA, seeks an experienced Assistant General Counsel and Director of Compliance to provide legal counsel and lead the College's compliance program. Reporting to the Vice President and General Counsel, the role combines advisory duties across legal, regulatory and policy matters with strategic leadership for institutional risk management.

The successful candidate will draft and negotiate contracts, advise on employment, student and academic issues, monitor

Qualifications

• J.D. degree from an accredited law school.
• Admission to the Massachusetts Bar or eligibility for admission in Massachusetts.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible legal experience.
• Experience providing legal advice on complex organizational, regulatory, contractual, employment or compliance matters.
• Strong knowledge of legal and regulatory compliance principles and experience interpreting statutes, regulations and institutional policies.
• Experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating contracts and other legal agreements.
• Excellent legal research, analytical, writing and oral communication skills.
• Ability to communicate complex legal and regulatory issues clearly and practically to non-lawyers.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion in handling confidential, sensitive and high-risk matters.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to develop effective working relationships at all levels of an organization.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and services to the College under supervision of the Vice President and General Counsel and Senior Legal Counsel.
• Provide legal research, analysis and written work on matters assigned by the General Counsel.
• Advise senior leadership and College departments on a broad range of institutional matters.
• Advise on federal and state employment laws, policies and workplace matters.
• Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of College contracts and agreements.
• Develop and maintain contract templates and guidance to improve efficiency.
• Provide legal support on sensitive or time-critical institutional matters.
• Coordinate responses to government inquiries, subpoenas and regulatory matters.
• Monitor and coordinate compliance education and training for faculty, staff and administrators.
• Support institutional responses to compliance reviews, audits, investigations and regulatory inquiries.
• Assist in reviewing agreements involving students, academic programs and campus activities.
• Monitor higher education laws and regulations and communicate changes to leadership.
• Coordinate with outside counsel and insurers on litigation and investigations.
• Develop policies, training resources and templates to promote institutional compliance.

Skills

Legal advice

Regulatory compliance

Contract negotiation

Legal research

Communication skills

Project management

Team collaboration

Discretion

Policy interpretation

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Massachusetts Bar admission or eligibility

Job description

Merrimack College in North Andover, MA, seeks an experienced Assistant General Counsel and Director of Compliance to provide legal counsel and lead the College's compliance program. Reporting to the Vice President and General Counsel, the role combines advisory duties across legal, regulatory and policy matters with strategic leadership for institutional risk management.

The successful candidate will draft and negotiate contracts, advise on employment, student and academic issues, monitor