Associate Vice President & General Counsel Position Available In Baldwin, Georgia

Associate Vice President & General Counsel Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, GA, USA May 22, 2025
JOB

DESCRIPTION

Associate Vice President & General Counsel

Job ID:

284990

Location:

Georgia College & State Univ

Full/Part Time:

Full Time

Regular/Temporary:

Regular
About Us
Georgia College & State University (GCSU) is the state’s designated public liberal arts university, where students learn the essential skills to compete in a fast-paced and technology-driven global society. The university prepares students for successful careers, leadership in communities, problem solving and life-long learning through personalized attention in a residential setting with opportunities for a variety of transformational experiences through its award-winning, high-impact practices. One of only three selective universities within the University System of Georgia and a top 10 ranked public university in the Southeast, GCSU offers undergraduate degrees in more than 40 majors, more than 30 graduate programs, doctorates in education and nursing, professional certificates, and continuing education programs.
As a member of the prestigious Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), GCSU is committed to fostering a liberal arts environment that values academic preeminence, interdisciplinary inquiry and an inclusive learning community. GCSU enjoys a strong reputation for academic excellence and nationally ranked programs according to US News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Colleges of Distinction

• among other ranking sources.
  Georgia College & State University takes great pride in combining the educational experience of a private liberal arts college with the affordability of a public university. Faculty and staff are dedicated to student engagement and experiential learning through high-impact practices such as internships, service
• and community-based learning, leadership development, study abroad opportunities, mentored undergraduate research and a capstone project that fosters intellectual curiosity, reasoned inquiry and critical thinking.

The university’s beautiful and historic campus is located downtown in Milledgeville, Georgia, a charming, diverse college town of approximately 19,000 residents in Central Georgia, and only 90 miles southeast of Atlanta. Milledgeville is also the home of noted American author and alumna, Flannery O’Connor, ’45, and the college community enjoys many exciting literary arts programs at O’Connor’s former home, Andalusia, a National Historic Landmark owned by the university. Milledgeville is located on the banks of beautiful Lake Sinclair and Lake Oconee, allowing faculty, staff and students to take full advantage of the environmental and recreational benefits of being part of a lake community. For cultural, educational and leisure opportunities beyond Milledgeville

• Macon and Atlanta are located within easy driving distances.

Georgia College & State University is dedicated to protecting academic freedom in addition to supporting freedom of expression as outlined in the University System of Georgia’s Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom policy and its Ethics Code of Conduct . For more information, visit us online at gcsu.edu.
Job Summary
The Associate Vice President & General Counsel at Georgia College & State University serves as the chief internal legal officer for the University, providing comprehensive legal counsel and support across all institutional operations. Reporting to the President, this position is responsible for managing legal affairs, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and protecting the University’s legal interests while supporting its educational mission, in coordination with the Legal Office of the University System of Georgia and the Georgia Attorney General’s Office.
Responsibilities
Legal Advice and Risk Management

• 40%•Provides strategic legal counsel to University leadership on complex institutional matters.
• Develops and implements legal strategies and solutions for institutional challenges.
• Analyzes and interprets laws, regulations, and affecting University operations.
• Serves as Privacy Officer and Records Officer.
• Manages institutional risk and compliance programs with designated staff.
• Drafts and reviews University and procedures.
• Provides guidance on records retention and open records requirements.
• Keeps the GCSU President and University leadership informed of relevant legal issues.
  Operations Management
• 25%•Directs and supervises legal office staff and operations.
• Coordinates with University System of Georgia legal office, Attorney General’s Office, and when needed other state agencies.
• Provides executive support of Internal Audit and Compliance functions in partnership with University President.
• Manages the legal externship program and student worker supervision.
• Establishes office , procedures, and guidelines.
  Contract Administration
• 10%•Negotiates and drafts complex institutional contracts.
• Provides oversight of contract review process.
• Trains and supervises Legal Office Manager in routine contract matters.
• Advises departments on contract negotiations and terms to protect the University’s interest.
  External Relations and Liaison
• 20%•Maintains relationships and coordinates work with University System Office administrators.
• Coordinates potential and actual litigation with Georgia Attorney General’s Office and Department of Administrative Services.
• Networks with peer institutions’ legal counsel.
• Serves as primary legal liaison with external counsel and regulatory bodies.
  Additional Responsibilities
• 5%•Serves on University committees as needed.
• Develops departmental initiatives.
• Implements special projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications
Educational Requirements
Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent from an ABA-accredited law school
Active member of the Georgia Bar with no disciplinary history, or eligibility for membership within one year of employment
Experience managing a broad portfolio of legal issues and legal risk assessment
Required Experience
Minimum seven (7) years of legal practice experience
Demonstrated expertise in higher education law or related field of laws in which contract, labor, and general liability issues predominate
Ability to use standard Microsoft Office software applications
Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience

• Higher education experience, either in-house or with a private law firm.
• Experience in public institution legal matters.
• Supervisory experience.
• 10+ years of active practice of law.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES

Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships.
Ability to manage multiple priorities.
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
Excellence in problem-solving and strategic planning.

KNOWLEDGE.

Comprehensive knowledge of higher education law and regulations.
Strong understanding of contract law and risk management.
Expertise in compliance and regulatory requirements.
Knowledge of judicial systems, procedures, and precedent in the state of Georgia and the United States of America.
SKILLS
Demonstrated supervisory and team management capabilities.
Strong organizational and project management skills.
Superior written and verbal communication abilities.
Strong presentation and public speaking skills.
Excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills.
High level of integrity and ethical conduct.
Self-motivated and service-oriented approach.
USG Core Values
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Georgia College & State University (GCSU) is committed to the fundamental principle of equal opportunity and equal treatment for every prospective and current employee. No person shall, on the grounds of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, be excluded from employment or participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination, under any program or activity conducted by GCSU.
Georgia College & State University is a national award-winning institution in areas of student success and achievement. It strives to achieve excellence in the composition of its community, educational programs, university , research and scholarship, campus life, employment practices, extracurricular activities, and community outreach. It is a priority of the university to be a welcoming and inclusive environment so that its campus culture will enhance the ability of its community members to succeed in their endeavors, to be respected as individuals, and to feel a sense of belonging.
Other Information
This is a supervisory position.
This position does not have any financial responsibilities.
This position will be required to drive.
This role is considered a position of trust.
This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
This position may travel 1%

• 24% of the time
  Background Check
  Criminal Background Check
  Education Verification
  Credit Check