Job Details

Connecticut State Colleges and Universities System Office

CSCU Associate General Counsel

Position Number: 6697847
Location: Hartford, CT
Position Type: Legal Affairs

Details:
Posted: November 3, 2025
Level: Management / Confidential (Executive 1)
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, November 21, 2025

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: December 2025

Position Summary:
The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) Associate General Counsel is a professional member of the Office of General Counsel (OGC). OGC provides legal research, analysis, and legal services to the CSCU System Office and the constituent colleges and universities within the CSCU system. All attorneys of the CSCU Office of General Counsel are expected to work collaboratively within the CSCU system to mitigate legal risks, facilitate efficient business practices, manage a wide variety of complicated issues in a fast-paced higher education environment, exercise independent judgment, and function effectively with internal and external audiences.

Reporting to the CSCU General Counsel, the Associate General Counsel will provide legal guidance on a variety of topics with an emphasis on litigation management and working with the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General (OAG). This role offers a challenging and rewarding environment for an experienced attorney who is passionate about the intersection of law and higher education. This position is based at the CSCU System Office and reports to the CSCU General Counsel.

Example of Job Duties:
Under the direction of the General Counsel, the Associate General Counsel is responsible for providing legal guidance on a variety of topics with an emphasis on litigation management through effective performance in these essential duties:

Remain current with laws, rules, and regulations affecting higher education, with a specific focus on the legal implications of changes made to the policies of the Board of Regents for Higher Education (BOR). Draft and review BOR policies and procedures, regulations, bylaws, and other documents within legal specialty areas.
Anticipate, identify, and help resolve legal and strategic risk management issues.
Negotiate settlements involving legal issues or transactions in conjunction with CSCU officials, the General Counsel, and OAG, as appropriate.
Assist with the management of litigation involving CSCU and its institutions including responding to discovery requests, subpoenas, and Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) complaints. Support trial preparation work in conjunction with OAG and attend and assist with depositions and trials.
Research and analyze laws and regulations and prepare legal documents including memoranda and correspondence. Prepare written and verbal legal opinions. Coordinate legal services to CSCU departments and divisions within areas of legal specialty. Provide well-rounded expert advice to CSCU administrators to develop legal strategies and solutions.
Develop training materials and other resources regarding legal issues and new developments in relevant practice areas to educate CSCU administrators, faculty, and staff. Maintain relevant legal expertise to serve as an OGC and CSCU systemwide resource.
Represent CSCU before agencies, boards, committees, commissions, and courts in administrative hearings and litigation, and/or oversee such representation. Represent OGC at meetings and on committees, task forces, and work groups.
Draft and negotiate a variety of higher education contracts. Develop form and template agreements in coordination with OAG.
Represent CSCU in interactions with external stakeholders, including government agencies, industry partners, and legal organizations.
Support and provide legal counsel to the CSCU Compliance Officer and other administrators in responding to audits by the State Auditors of Public Accounts.
Assist the General Counsel by providing client-focused and mission-oriented legal services to CSCU departments, institutions, officials, and employees, and perform other related duties as directed by the General Counsel.

The examples of duties illustrate the general range of tasks assigned to the position but are not intended to define the limits of required duties. Other essential duties may be assigned consistent with the general scope of the position.

Minimum Qualifications:
Juris Doctor (JD) from an American Bar Association (ABA) -accredited law school or Bachelor of Laws (LLB) required.

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

License to practice law in the state of Connecticut and be a member of the Connecticut Bar at the time of appointment, or within one (1) year from date of hire if also a member in good standing of the bar of any other state and eligible to register in the State of Connecticut as "in-house counsel."
Seven (7) years of experience as a practicing attorney.
Three (3) years of experience in litigation of matters before administrative agencies or state and federal courts.
Demonstrated ability to manage a significant and varied workload including work on multiple unrelated matters concurrently. Ability to complete complex projects independently and with minimal direction.
Ability to assess a situation accurately and identify legal issues, conduct thorough and detailed legal research and analysis, propose practical solutions, and render timely and practical legal advice. Approach work with a professional and pragmatic mindset.
Ability to analyze risks presented in a wide variety of situations and advise internal clients and stakeholders on acceptable levels of risk and risk mitigation strategies.
Demonstrated ability to interpret institutional policies, plans, objectives, and relevant state and federal laws, statutes, and regulations, and concisely communicate the interpretation to non-legal audiences.
Work effectively with culturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse faculty, staff, and students, with ability to build strong working relationships.
Must have excellent oral and written communication skills along with strong information technology skills.
Commitment to upholding ethical standards and maintaining confidentiality.
Must be able and willing to drive and travel throughout the State.

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.).

Preferred Qualifications:

Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following practice areas: higher education law, non-profit or charitable foundations, public sector/board governance, labor/employment law, transactions.

Starting Salary:
Minimum Salary; $160,000 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 CSCU-SO-Compliance@ct.edu.

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