Senior University Counsel - Legal Operations

Senior University Counsel - Legal Operations

The Office of the General Counsel at CUNY is a system-wide resource for legal advice and representation. The OGC provides legal counsel to the Board of Trustees, the Chancellor, and the University's 25 constituent colleges. Its services touch all operational areas of the University, and its campuses, and supports CUNY's decision makers in advancing the University's educational mission by providing expert, relevant and timely legal advice, guidance and advocacy.

The Senior University Counsel - Legal Operations serves as a strategic advisor and operational leader within the Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and General Counsel. Reporting directly to the Senior Vice Chancellor, this individual will provide both high-level legal counsel and executive oversight of the office's administrative, financial, and operational functions.

This position is a key member of the office's senior leadership team, contributing to the development and execution of strategic goals, managing complex and sensitive projects, and ensuring operational excellence across the department. The incumbent will also provide legal services in a broad range of subject areas, including legal research, drafting memoranda, and advising on matters affecting the University's mission and compliance obligations.

They will work collaboratively across all OGC units, University and college campus offices to provide legal guidance and develop legal strategies and responses, draft, interpret and implement policies and procedures, identify potential litigation and policy issues and strategies, and handle employee and other confidential matters.

• Provide legal advice and representation in diverse subject matter areas relevant to higher education law.
• Conduct legal research, draft memoranda of law, and prepare correspondence for the Senior Vice Chancellor.
• Support the Senior Vice Chancellor in addressing high-priority legal matters, ensuring timely and effective resolution.

• Serve as a primary point of contact between the Senior Vice Chancellor and senior University leadership, stakeholders, and external partners.
• Act as chief liaison to the University's Campus Counsel, facilitating communication, coordination, and issue resolution across the University's 26 schools and colleges.
• Identify, prioritize, and manage critical legal and operational issues requiring cross-unit collaboration.
• Coordinate periodic and monthly meetings between the Senior Vice Chancellor and Campus Counsels.
• Represent the Senior Vice Chancellor at University committees, meetings, and external events as assigned.

• Monitor alignment between the University's mission, vision, values, strategy, and organizational structure.
• Address policy and operational concerns, prioritize time-sensitive matters, and elevate issues appropriately.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and exercise sound judgment, tact, and diplomacy in all interactions.

• Oversee daily operations of the Office of Legal Affairs, including workflow management, scheduling, and administrative processes.
• Supervise and mentor professional legal staff, set priorities, and ensure timely completion of projects and deliverables.
• Conduct annual performance evaluations, promote professional development, and maintain high standards of service.
• Manage the office's budget, monitor expenditures, and identify cost‑saving opportunities.
• Implement and oversee technological and process improvements to enhance efficiency and knowledge sharing.

Until further notice, this position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

Minimum:

This position is in CUNY's Executive Compensation Plan. All executive positions require a minimum of a bachelor's degree and eight years' related experience.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, all applicants for this position must possess the following qualifications:

• Juris Doctor Degree and 15 years' related experience as a practicing attorney required, including experience in…