CSCU Deputy General Counsel

Hartford, CT

Full Time

CSCU System Office

Experienced

Details:

Posted: August 17, 2026
Level: Management / Confidential Executive 3
Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
Closing Date: The committee will begin review of applications immediately. Applications must be submitted by 5:00pm (EST) on Friday, August 28, 2026

Location:

CSCU System Office
61 Woodland Street Hartford, CT 06105
**This position is not remote**
For more information, please visit the campus website or www.ct.edu/hr/jobs

Connecticut State Colleges & Universities Mission:

The Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU) contribute to the creation of knowledge and the economic growth of the state of Connecticut by providing affordable, innovative, and rigorous programs. Our learning environments transform students and facilitate an ever-increasing number of individuals to achieve their personal and career goals.

CSCU Vision:

The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities will build on its long and successful history by working collectively - within and across institutions - and by engaging external partners to increase the number of students pursuing and completing personally and professionally rewarding certificate and degree programs, improving their social mobility, and helping the state to meet its current and future workforce demands.

CSCU Equity Statement:

The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities commits to bold and disruptive change by actively identifying, naming, and dismantling structural racism, systemic poverty, and other barriers; establishing equitable and anti-racist policies and practices; and empowering students, faculty, staff, and administrators to advance racial, social, and economic justice. Our core collective responsibility is to continuously assess practices and policies and transform the world we live in by eliminating inequities.

Anticipated Start Date: September 2026

Position Summary:

The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (“CSCU”) Deputy General Counsel provides legal services and legal guidance to the CSCU system. The Deputy General Counsel supports the provision of legal advice and legal guidance on matters involving legal precedent, legislation, regulations, administrative policy, and other complex legal issues affecting CSCU constituent units. The Deputy General Counsel works collaboratively with legal staff and institutional leadership to identify and mitigate litigation and compliance risks.
The CSCU Deputy General Counsel reports to the CSCU General Counsel. As directed by the CSCU General Counsel, the Deputy General Counsel collaborates with the Attorney General's Office, external counsel, and internal stakeholders to provide legal guidance and support. In directed by the General Counsel, the Deputy General Counsel monitors emerging legal and compliance developments in higher education, employment, and other areas of law impacting CSCU institutions and assists in developing legal strategies and policies to address evolving risks and regulatory requirements.
This position is located at the System Office. Reporting to the CSCU General Counsel, the Deputy General Counsel provides legal counsel and strategic guidance to the CSCU system. The Deputy General Counsel assists in implementing legal priorities, supporting system-wide initiatives, and ensuring compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

Example of Job Duties:

Under the direction of the General Counsel, the Deputy General Counsel is responsible for legal services and legal guidance to the CSCU system through effective performance in these essential duties:

Assists the CSCU General Counsel in directing and coordinating specialized and general legal activities for the CSCU System.
Provides strategic legal counsel and guidance to the CSCU system.
Conducts and oversees legal research and analysis on complex issues involving higher education, public procurement, governance and ethics, labor and employment, litigation, immigration, intellectual property, student affairs, real estate transactions, and other areas affecting CSCU operations.
Prepares and delivers written legal opinions, memoranda, correspondence, and oral presentations regarding legal precedent, legislation, regulations, administrative policies, and system-wide initiatives.
Assists in monitoring legal developments, regulatory changes, and emerging compliance trends affecting higher education and recommends strategies to address institutional risk and legal obligations.
Drafts, reviews, and provides legal guidance regarding proposed regulations, policies, procedures, and governance documents to promote compliance and reduce legal risk.
Advises CSCU leadership on legal aspects of sensitive communications, public inquiries, and other matters with potential legal implications.
Represents CSCU in legal proceedings, administrative matters, negotiations, and other forums as assigned, working closely with the Office of the Attorney General and outside counsel.
Assists in managing litigation, discovery, administrative proceedings, and other legal matters, including evaluating legal risks and recommending courses of action to the CSCU General Counsel and executive leadership.
Develops and recommends legal and compliance strategies designed to support institutional objectives and mitigate legal and operational risks.
Assists with the selection, coordination, and management of outside counsel and legal service providers, as appropriate.
Negotiates, drafts, reviews, and advises on a wide variety of contracts, leases, licenses, memoranda of understanding, affiliation agreements, and other complex transactional documents.
Conducts or assists with internal investigations, administrative reviews, student matters, and appeals as assigned.
Assists in reviewing legislative proposals, analyzing legal implications of pending legislation, preparing testimony, and advising on governmental affairs matters.
Provides counsel regarding Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) compliance, reviews complex FOIA requests, and assists institutions throughout CSCU in responding to requests and related proceedings.
Represents CSCU on committees, task forces, working groups, and professional organizations, and may serve as liaison with governmental agencies, accrediting bodies, and external stakeholders.
Maintains current knowledge of legal developments, best practices, and emerging issues affecting higher education through professional development, legal research, and participation in professional organizations.
Assists the CSCU General Counsel with administrative and operational functions of the Office of General Counsel, including supervision of assigned staff, management of projects, and implementation of departmental priorities.
Serves on behalf of the CSCU General Counsel in designated matters and during periods of absence as assigned.

This posting includes qualifications, experience and skills but is not limited to the full specifications stated in the job description.

Minimum Qualifications:

Must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut and remain in good standing throughout employment.

A minimum of eight (8) to ten (10) years of progressively responsible legal experience is required, including substantial experience in higher education, employment law, labor relations, public-sector law, litigation management, governance, compliance, or other areas relevant to CSCU operations. Experience advising executive leadership on complex legal matters is preferred.

Substitution Allowed: Additional experience practicing law at an advanced professional level within the Connecticut legal system may be considered in lieu of specialized higher education or employment law experience.

Incumbents are required to have demonstrated advanced knowledge and abilities in the following:

Demonstrated commitment to the highest standards of professional ethics, integrity, and confidentiality.
Proven ability to identify, analyze, and assess legal and operational risks and to develop practical, strategic, and legally sound recommendations to support institutional decision-making.
Ability to exercise independent judgment, discretion, and sound legal reasoning in complex and sensitive matters, often under time constraints and with incomplete information.
Strong analytical, organizational, negotiation, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and competing demands.
Demonstrated ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and effectively to clients, executives, governing boards, and other non-legal audiences, translating legal analysis into practical and actionable guidance.
Considerable knowledge of and ability to interpret relevant federal and state laws, statutes, regulations, and administrative requirements affecting institutions of higher education.
Considerable knowledge of legal practices and procedures in state and federal courts, administrative agencies, and alternative dispute resolution forums.
Considerable knowledge of governance, compliance, public-sector legal issues, and legislative and regulatory processes.
Demonstrated leadership ability, including experience mentoring attorneys, coordinating legal work, managing projects, and collaborating effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
Significant experience negotiating, drafting, reviewing, and interpreting contracts, agreements, policies, and other legal documents.
Experience providing legal advice and counsel to senior administrators, governing boards, management personnel, and institutional leaders is strongly preferred.
Experience managing litigation, conducting investigations, advising on employment and labor matters, and working with outside counsel and governmental agencies is preferred.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with executive leadership, faculty, staff, students, governmental officials, outside counsel, and other stakeholders.

Candidates must possess proven ability to effectively work with culturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse faculty, staff, and students. They are expected to have excellent interpersonal oral and written communication skills along with strong Information technology literacy skills such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams etc.).

Starting Salary:

Minimum Salary; $202,995 approximate annual plus excellent State of CT medical insurance, retirement, and related fringe benefits. The salary will be based on the selected candidate’s qualifications such as education and job-related experience, and internal equity.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future. Benefits include generous leave policies; several retirement plans; and many choices for comprehensive health insurance. You also have access to many additional benefits to save for retirement, protect your family & more with supplemental benefits. Tuition reimbursement may apply if applicable.

Application Instructions:

To apply you must submit a cover letter and resume. The cover letter may be entered as text in the corresponding box, or it can be uploaded as a combined file with the resume.

Incomplete applications or those submitted after the closing date will not be considered and links to other sources to view resumes are not acceptable.

For more information or to apply via our website at www.ct.edu/hr/jobs

Selection Procedure:

Following the closing date, application materials will be evaluated by a selection committee. Candidates selected for further consideration will be limited to those applicants who are best qualified based on the minimum and preferred qualifications and who have submitted all the required documents by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Candidates who have been selected and approved to interview will be contacted, and finalists will be recommended for further consideration by the Hiring Manager for final selection and recommendation for employment. The selection process may also include practical exercises (i.e., teaching demonstration and/or other written, technical, manipulative, or simulation exercises) to evaluate candidates' qualifications.

Background Screening:

All employment, if offered, is contingent upon proof of citizenship or employability under the requirement of the Immigration and Control Act (IRCA) and the successful passing of a background check, including granting permission to contact current and previous employers for verification. CSCU is committed to providing a safe campus community. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check and, when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

Continuing Notice of Nondiscrimination

CSCU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or criminal record. For inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies, please contact [email protected].

CSCU IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER, M/F

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Do you have experience advising leadership on complex legal matters?*

Do you have demonstrated commitment to the highest standards of professional ethics, integrity, and confidentiality?*

Do you have proven ability to identify, analyze, and assess legal and operational risks and to develop practical, strategic, and legally sound recommendations to support institutional decision-making?*

Do you have the ability to exercise independent judgment, discretion, and sound legal reasoning in complex and sensitive matters, often under time constraints and with incomplete information?*

Do you have strong analytical, organizational, negotiation, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and competing demands?*

Do you have demonstrated ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and effectively to clients, executives, governing boards, and other non-legal audiences, translating legal analysis into practical and actionable guidance?*

Do you have considerable knowledge of and ability to interpret relevant federal and state laws, statutes, regulations, and administrative requirements affecting institutions of higher education?*

Do you have considerable knowledge of legal practices and procedures in state and federal courts, administrative agencies, and alternative dispute resolution forums?*

Do you have considerable knowledge of governance, compliance, public-sector legal issues, and legislative and regulatory processes?*

Do you have demonstrated leadership ability, including experience mentoring attorneys, coordinating legal work, managing projects, and collaborating effectively with internal and external stakeholders?*

Do you have significant experience negotiating, drafting, reviewing, and interpreting contracts, agreements, policies, and other legal documents?*

Do you have experience providing legal advice and counsel to senior administrators, governing boards, management personnel, and institutional leaders is strongly preferred?*

Do you have experience managing litigation, conducting investigations, advising on employment and labor matters, and working with outside counsel and governmental agencies is preferred?*

Do you have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with executive leadership, faculty, staff, students, governmental officials, outside counsel, and other stakeholders?*

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