Associate General Counsel -Campus Network (Regulatory)

Vanderbilt University•Nashville, TN

18d

About The Position

Vanderbilt University is seeking an Associate General Counsel to join its Office of the General Counsel (OGC) and advise the university on regulation of institutions of higher education. The role focuses on navigating oversight by U.S. and state departments of education, other government agencies, accrediting agencies, and related entities, and promoting compliance with their requirements for university strategic projects across jurisdictions including California, New York, Florida, and Tennessee. The Associate General Counsel works with the Campus Network, Enrollment Affairs, Government Relations, and OGC, reports to the Deputy General Counsel, and serves as a primary liaison to outside counsel on regulatory issues and government investigations. The position also supports regulatory compliance activities for the Office of Academic Program Review, Assessment, and Accreditation; Enrollment Affairs, including admissions, financial aid, and registrar functions; Clery Compliance; and offices supporting compliance with federal civil rights laws, including Title IX, Equal Opportunity and Access, and Student Access. The OGC provides practical legal advice that accounts for client priorities and university business practices. It manages litigation on behalf of the university and emphasizes agile service delivery and operational excellence, including project management, status updates, technology and analytics, budget containment, outside counsel management, and effective use of attorney time. The Associate General Counsel provides practical legal advice to university and departmental leadership; supports regulatory submissions; manages litigation and government investigations; advises on legal developments, policies, processes, and risk; collaborates with university offices and officials; and engages outside counsel as needed. The role has no supervisory responsibility.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree.
Licensed to practice in Tennessee or eligible for licensure within twelve months of hire.
At least 6 years of progressively responsible legal practice experience.
Demonstrated ability to function independently in relevant legal subject matters.
Experience in regulatory analysis and strong understanding of relevant regulations and compliance requirements.
Ability to identify, analyze, and explain legal issues clearly, thoroughly, and promptly to senior university administrators.
Advanced oral and written communication skills.
Ability to work rapidly and collaboratively while providing exceptional service to campus partners.
Willingness to learn new areas of law or apply prior legal practice to a higher education environment.
Ability to navigate a large, complex organization, with strong interpersonal and collaboration skills.
Strong critical thinking, sound judgment, and strategic ability.
Proficiency with common technology for document creation and management.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience working with or within the U.S. Department of Education, state departments of education (including the New York State Education Department, California Department of Education, and/or Florida Commission for Independent Education), or accrediting agencies is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Support the university’s strategic and operational goals, particularly regarding federal and state regulation of nonprofit institutions of higher education.
Manage multiple sensitive and urgent legal matters independently and collaboratively, including competing deadlines, and communicate status and updates promptly.
Promote compliance with university policies and applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations to protect the university’s short- and long-term interests.
Provide clear, practical legal advice to university and departmental leadership.
Draft or support applications, periodic reports, and other submissions requested by education regulatory agencies.
Manage litigation and government investigations, coordinate with outside counsel, and respond to subpoenas and other discovery requests.
Monitor federal and state legal and regulatory developments and advise on the changing regulatory landscape.
Advise on and develop university processes and policies, and serve as legal advisor to assigned work groups, committees, and related bodies.
Understand and manage risk and compliance issues, collaborating as appropriate with University Compliance Services and Risk & Insurance Management.
Collaborate with university officials, offices, and departments to develop and provide legal education and support to the Vanderbilt community.
Engage and manage outside counsel as needed to represent Vanderbilt University.
Pursue professional growth through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to stay current in higher education law and related matters.
Perform similar or related duties as assigned in an evolving environment.
Use creative problem-solving and strong oral and written communication to contribute to a collaborative environment within OGC and across the university.