Job Description:
Position Overview

Reporting directly to the President, the General Counsel ("GC") serves as Berklee's chief legal officer and a key strategic advisor to the President and senior administration. The General Counsel is responsible for overseeing and managing legal matters arising from Berklee's programs and associated activities and plays a central role at the intersection of law, institutional policy, and strategic leadership. This is a unique opportunity to join a mission-driven institution at an exciting moment under new leadership.

Berklee seeks an accomplished attorney with a distinguished professional record who brings both legal depth and leadership experience. Personal and professional resonance with Berklee's culture and mission is essential, as is a strong desire to contribute meaningfully to the institution's strategy and long-term goals. The successful candidate will bring sound judgment, strategic, conceptual, and analytical acumen, and an appreciation for the complexities facing institutions of higher education today, including the diverse needs and perspectives of faculty, staff, and students. Experience with, and a deep interest in, the intersection of technology, higher education, and the creative arts is a vital component of this role.

The responsibilities of the General Counsel will include, but will not be limited to:

• Serving as a strategic thought partner and trusted advisor to the President and Berklee's senior administration on critical legal, policy, and risk-related issues affecting Berklee and its various constituencies.
• Working closely with the President, senior administration, and the Board on the formulation and implementation of Berklee's legal and litigation strategy, and advising on corporate governance matters, including board resolutions, governance documents, and participation in Board and committee meetings, as appropriate.
• Providing timely, practical guidance on a broad range of legal and policy matters impacting higher education, including student affairs, research, data privacy, real estate and facilities, intellectual property and technology, employment law, governance, nonprofit and tax matters.
• Leading comprehensive regulatory compliance efforts and collaborating across departments, programs, and affiliated entities on enterprise risk management.
• Providing clear, creative, and supportive leadership in labor matters, including collaborative engagement with union leadership.
• Supporting the development and execution of strategic partnerships, in collaboration with institutional leaders, to advance Berklee's mission and global priorities.
• Supporting crisis prevention and response strategies.
• Providing oversight and guidance to the Contract Management Team in the review, drafting, and negotiation of contracts and transactional documents, and representing Berklee in commercial transactions, as appropriate.
• Proactively monitoring legal developments, regulatory trends, and legislative initiatives relevant to Berklee's operations and strategic objectives.
• Establishing relationships with, and supervising the work of, outside counsel.
• Drafting and advising on the development of institutional policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Membership in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, with the ability to become licensed in Massachusetts within one year of hire.
• Experience with, and interest in, the intersection of technology, higher education, and the creative arts, including best practices related to institutional policies, data protection and compliance, and third-party partnerships.
• Expertise in intellectual property, with a particular interest in the convergence of music, higher education, and technology.
• Strong knowledge of relevant federal and state laws, regulations, administrative best practices, and large commercial transactions.
• Experience interacting with boards of trustees, including preparing materials for board meetings and advising on matters such as corporate governance, fiduciary duties, ethics, legal compliance, and strategic transactions.
• Experience managing attorneys across a range of legal disciplines and selecting and managing outside counsel.
• Demonstrated experience in higher education-related matters, such as Title IX, FERPA, the Clery Act, and the Higher Education Act is strongly preferred.

Key Attributes

• Demonstrated commitment to Berklee's mission and a passion for music and the performing arts.
• Ability to think strategically, with a progressive approach to understanding best practices to meet the needs of Berklee's diverse faculty, staff, and broader community.
• An entrepreneurial, forward-thinking leader who serves as a strategic business partner, approaches complex challenges creatively, and brings a bias toward thoughtful action and solutions.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively to a wide range of audiences, both orally and in writing.
• Keen intellect, strong judgment, and adaptability, with well-developed emotional intelligence.
• A collaborative leader who fosters a workplace climate that is supportive, respectful of difference, and genuinely open to multiple perspectives.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and discretion, with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with the utmost care.
• Strong risk-assessment skills, including the ability to identify, analyze, and calibrate risks associated with various courses of action.
• Outstanding executive leadership capabilities, with a proven ability to support and counsel a large, complex organization with multiple constituencies.
• Enthusiasm for campus life and the confidence to engage effectively with senior administrative and academic leaders in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfortable navigating change and able to pivot quickly as priorities and circumstances evolve.
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence, intellectual curiosity, strong work ethic, and high ethical standards.

Hiring Range: $350,000 to $400,000; salary dependent on relevant experience and education. Please visit the Berklee Total Rewards page for a complete listing of benefits.

Process

All applications should be directed to: https://careers.mlaglobal.com/us/en/job/247077/General-Counsel

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship.

Employee Type:
Executive