Vice President, General Counsel

Job Title:

Vice President, General Counsel 

 Kent Campus - Kent, OH 

Salary:

 The salary will be determined based on the candidate’s skills, experience and qualifications.

Basic Function:

Serve as an executive officer, direct legal affairs and lead internal counsel for the University. Provide leadership and comprehensive legal advice to the Board of Trustees, President and administration. Oversee the Office of General Counsel, leading a team of attorneys and administrators to ensure excellence in case management, legal strategy, compliance, ethical decision-making, and risk mitigation. Review, interpret, and provide legal recommendations regarding policy and legal issues. Reports to the President.

Additional Basic Function – if applicable:

Examples of Duties:

Duties/essential functions may include, but not be limited to, the following: 

Direct a broad range of legal affairs for the University; review, advise, and assist with legal documents, contracts, policies, procedures, practices, actions, or any matter having legal significance to the management and operation of the University.

Participate in guiding strategy for University labor negotiations and relations with collective bargaining representatives; review, advise, and assist with sensitive personnel matters.

In consultation with chief administrative officers, work collectively to identify and implement programs and strategies toprovide comprehensive and preventive legal guidance to the University.

Review, advise, and assist with property acquisitions, leases, insurance matters, and patent, trademark, and copyright matters.

Monitor and stay abreast of legal issues affecting higher education; assist in reviewing pending legislation and other governmental actions; ascertain potential impact, and recommend compliance procedures or strategies.

Direct and supervise all litigation and administrative procedings.

Advise and assist with compliance reviews by governmental and higher education regulatory agencies and internal audits.

Update the Secretary to the Board of Trustees regularly and advise the President on internal and external issues. Coordinate with outside consultants as appropriate

Monitor and oversee the activities of outside special counsel.

Serve as liaison between the Attorney General of Ohio and the University. Serve on various department, division, and University, and external committees.

Performs related duties as assigned.

Additional Examples of Duties – if applicable:

Minimum Qualifications:

Law Degree; a minimum of eight years of experience in the practice of law; three years of experience in management.

License/Certification:

Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Ohio by the Ohio Supreme Court or have the ability to achieve licensure prior to appointment. An appointment is required by the Ohio Attorney General as Assistant Attorney General.

Knowledge Of:

Knowledge of personnel matters including faculty relations, university governance, and strategic planning. *

Skill In:

Negotiation *

Exceptional written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively *

Ability To:

Anticipate and analyze situations, develop effective solutions and provide leadership and direction. *

Preferred Qualifications – if applicable:

Experience in a state agency and/or higher education or similarly complex organization. Relevant supervisory experience.

Assessments:

Asterisk (*) indicates knowledge, skills, abilities which may require assessments. Assessments could take the form of interview questions, a request to provide work samples or a written or practical test to assess job related competencies.

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements:

Light work. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently to move objects. Incumbent must be able to communicate with others. Incumbent may be required to travel from building to building frequently and off campus occasionally.

Working Schedule:

Additional Information:

FOR FULL CONSIDERATION, APPLICATION MATERIALS (INCLUDING YOUR COVER LETTER AND RESUME) SHOULD BE RECEIVED BY APRIL 3, 2025.

The position will remain open until April 30, 2025.  

Must pass a security check.

Kent State University is committed to creating a community that is culturally and intellectually diverse and to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that respect differences, and are inclusive, welcoming, respectful and kind.

For official job descriptions, visit www.kent.edu/hr.

Kent State University is a Smoke-Free, Tobacco-Free University effective July 1, 2017. Smoking and tobacco is not permitted on any of Kent State’s campuses or other locations and properties that are owned, operated, or leased by Kent State, both domestic and international. For additional details, visit www.kent.edu/smoke-free<http://www.kent.edu/smoke-free>.