Associate General Counsel & Director of Compliance

New York Institute of Technology's six schools and colleges offer undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional degree programs in in-demand disciplines including computer science, data science, and cybersecurity; biology, health professions, and medicine; architecture and design; engineering; IT and digital technologies; management; and energy and sustainability. A nonprofit, independent, private, and nonsectarian institute of higher education founded in 1955, it welcomes nearly 8,000 students worldwide.

The university has campuses in New York City and Long Island, New York; Jonesboro, Arkansas; and Vancouver, British Columbia, as well as programs around the world. More than 120,000 alumni are part of an engaged network of physicians, architects, scientists, engineers, business leaders, digital artists, and healthcare professionals. Together, the university’s community of doers, makers, healers, and innovators empowers graduates to change the world, solve 21st-century challenges, and reinvent the future.

For more information, visit nyit.edu.

The Office of the General Counsel has three lawyers (General Counsel, Vice President for Human Resources & Secretary; Associate General Counsel & Director of Compliance; and Assistant General Counsel) and a manager of legal operations.  The department also works in tandem with the Title IX, Title VI & 504 Coordinator, who works in the Office of Access and Engagement, and is also a lawyer. The Associate General Counsel & Director of Compliance reports to the General Counsel and assists in providing practical, solution-oriented legal advice, analysis, and strategic counsel to all of the university's constituencies, including senior administrators, faculty and staff. 

Key Responsibilities will include: 

• Working with departments throughout the university, overseeing regulatory compliance at the federal, state and local levels, including, among others, in the areas of financial aid, grants compliance, discrimination, privacy and data security
• Advising on student matters, including student conduct, disability accommodations, discrimination, academic issues and FERPA
• Providing commercial transaction support across the institution

Specific Responsibilities will include:

• Keep current on developments in laws and regulations at the federal, state and local level pertaining to higher education institutions. Proactively identify emerging legal and regulatory risks and recommend measures to promote compliance, prevent disputes, mitigate institutional exposure, and avoid litigation.
• Develop, implement, review, and maintain institutional policies and compliance programs to promote legal compliance and mitigate institutional risk.
• Provide legal and compliance training to faculty, staff, and administrators as needed.
• Draft, review, negotiate and strategize on an array of commercial and academic contracts.
• Training and oversight of contractual and other work of the Assistant General Counsel and manager of legal operations.
• Represent the General Counsel's Office on institutional committees, working groups, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Field a wide range of legal inquiries from departments university-wide.
• Conduct legal research and analysis.
• Assist outside counsel in litigation activities including document production, as well as reviewing and monitoring written submissions, depositions and trials. Report potential claims and relevant factual circumstances to the appropriate insurance companies.
• Oversee timely and appropriate responses on behalf of the university to requests for records and other information as required, including, but not limited to, under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and subpoenas
• Assist with the university’s responses to complaints, subpoenas, citations, reporting obligations, requests for information, and other inquiries or proceedings initiated by governmental or non-governmental organizations.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor from ABA-accredited U.S. law school.

• Seven (7) years of experience practicing law in a university/college legal department, law firm, or other applicable corporate legal department. Strong preference for candidates who have significant experience with higher education regulatory compliance in either an in-house or law firm setting.

• Licensed to practice law in the State of New York in good standing (or ability to obtain licensure promptly after date of hire).

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Ability to manage a high volume and variety of contracts and other matters from routine to complex and stay organized and accountable

• Knowledge and understanding of institutional policies and procedures and the regulatory environment in which they operate

• Experience in reviewing, drafting, negotiating, and editing contracts

• Strong written and oral communication skills and ability to translate complex legal issues for non-lawyers

• Ability to respond quickly and appropriately to emergency situations and to meet deadlines

• Ability to analyze situations and identify legal, compliance, and risk issues, propose alternative practical solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and recommend actions aligned with the school’s mission and goals while addressing stakeholder concerns

• Collaborative and flexible approach and ability to work with individuals from a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community

• Accuracy and meticulous attention to detail

• Excellent critical thinking and listening skills.

• Highest level of research and analytical skills.

• Sound judgment, impeccable integrity and maintenance of confidentiality

Please submit cover letter & resume for consideration.

The position can be partially hybrid, with the expectation of being in the office on the Long Island campus in Old Westbury, New York, generally three or four days per week.

New York Institute of Technology offers numerous opportunities to enhance personal and professional growth and provides employees with a competitive compensation and benefits program inclusive of  generous paid time off, holidays, tuition remission, and retirement plans with employer contributions.

New York Institute of Technology is an Equal Opportunity Employer – All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

In compliance with local legislation as well as to provide greater transparency to candidates, the annual base salary range for this position is listed. New York Tech considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate experience/expertise, education/training, key skills, geographic location, internal peer equity as well as market, organizational considerations and/or applicable collective bargaining agreement when extending an offer.