Description:

Current Xavier University employees must apply to the internal career site by logging into Workday

General counsel:
‌Xavier University invites applications for the position of General Counsel (GC) to manage the day-to-day legal services of the organization, providing expert legal counsel, and leading a team of in-house attorneys and staff. The role protects the University's legal interests and helps advance its institutional priorities.

The GC reports to the Vice President, Legal Affairs for operational leadership, departmental strategy, and day-to-day oversight. The position maintains a secondary reporting relationship to the President, serving as a senior legal advisor on the Executive Cabinet. This structure ensures the GC maintains the necessary independence to advise the President while safeguarding the governance standards of the University. The role provides legal counsel on a wide variety of legal, risk management, and compliance issues, ensuring the university operates within legal and regulatory frameworks. The GC must demonstrate strong support for the mission, vision and values of the University.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Legal Advisory & Counsel

Serve as a primary legal advisor to senior leaders and department heads on a diverse range of complex legal issues, including but not limited to contracts, employment law, regulatory compliance, policy development, student affairs, and intellectual property.
Deliver prompt and effective legal guidance to the institutional client, represented by the President, Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, and other authorized representatives of institutional interests.
Proactively identify and analyze legal risks to the organization; develop and implement practical strategies to mitigate risk and protect the organization's interests concentrating on those that may relate to financial loss or reputation/brand harm.
Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of complex contracts and agreements, such as vendor contracts, partnership agreements, real estate leases, and technology licenses.
Provides counsel on employment law matters including but not limited to hiring practices, disciplinary actions, terminations, and employee handbooks.
Serve as a resource to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations impacting the University.
Typically, the General Counsel is also elected to serve as the Secretary of the Board of Trustees. The ideal candidate should possess the governance expertise to serve the Board in this capacity.

Office of General Counsel Operations & Team Management

Leads the Office of the General Counsel and oversees a team of attorneys and support staff; recruits, trains, evaluates, and manages, departmental staff in providing counsel, drafting policies/agreements, negotiating contracts, managing disputes/litigation, and keeping the University legally compliant and ethically accountable.
Manage the intake, assignment, and resolution of legal matters within the department, ensuring high-quality and timely legal support.
Assist the Vice President in developing and managing the departmental budget, including forecasting and controlling costs related to staff, outside counsel, and legal technology.
Manages litigation by overseeing use of outside counsel, settlement discussions, and engagement of University leadership and other departments as needed.
Work collaboratively across Legal Affairs to ensure a coordinated approach to legal, regulatory, and public affairs challenges.

Required Qualifications:

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school
Active license to practice law in the State of Ohio, or the ability to obtain licensure in Ohio within 12 months of hire
More than 10 years of progressive legal experience, with significant responsibility advising complex organizations, including experience relevant to the higher education sector

To ensure consideration, qualified/interested applicants must submit a cover letter and resume on Xavier University's website. Applications will be reviewed immediately and accepted until the position closes at the University's discretion.

Candidates selected for the final stages of the interview process will be asked to provide the names and contact information of three professional references.

Benefits - applies only to full-time positions:
Xavier University offers a wide array of complementary and affordable benefit options to meet the financial, educational, health, and wellness needs of you and your family. Eligibility varies by position and employment class:

Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage.
Tax advantaged accounts including health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts, and dependent care account.
Financial security via life and long-term disability insurance, accident and illness insurance, and retirement savings plans.
Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave and holidays.
Tuition remission for employees and their eligible dependents.