Senior University Counsel - Legal Operations

Senior University Counsel – Legal Operations

Join to apply for the Senior University Counsel – Legal Operations role at The City University of New York.

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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, supporting decision makers across all operational areas. 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, overseeing administrative, financial and operational functions and contributing to strategic goals.

• 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 uphold 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:
The position is in CUNY’s Executive Compensation Plan and requires a bachelor’s degree and eight years of related experience.

Applicants must possess the following qualifications:

• Juris Doctor Degree and 15 years of related experience as a practicing attorney, including experience in university, law firm, government or non‑profit organization.
• Current New York State Bar membership in good standing required, or admission in another jurisdiction with eligibility for admission to the NYS bar through reciprocity or passing the NYS bar exam within one year of hire date required.

• Demonstrated experience interpreting laws and organizational regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines in a complex regulatory environment.
• Experience supervising several attorneys and attorney support staff.

• Exceptional interpersonal communication, writing, and contract drafting skills, along with strong negotiation, mediation, conflict/dispute resolution, group facilitation, client counseling, and presentation skills.
• Detail‑oriented and accurate with exceptional critical analysis, research and evaluation skills.
• Strong work ethic, character, and personal integrity to work with the utmost professionalism, confidentiality and diplomacy.
• Proactive and flexible with the ability to take initiative,…