University Counsel

Make a difference at one of Florida's premier institutions for education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Florida Polytechnic University, ranked the No. 1 public college in the region by U.S. News and World Report, offers a unique working environment that encourages faculty and staff to be part of a culture that prizes collaboration, innovation, and the willingness to go above and beyond to ensure our students and University succeed. Florida Poly offers a small campus academic environment where students form connections with their faculty and peers as they pursue high-value degrees in engineering and applied sciences.

The University is equipped with cutting-edge facilities and equipment and two award-winning, architecturally distinct academic buildings. Its evolving curriculum, designed to meet the needs of industry and provide a life-long educational foundation for students, has helped the institution grow in prominence since its opening in 2014. Florida Poly's deliberately small classes, affordability, and outstanding graduate outcomes have helped it earn recognitions such as being named a top value school, in the top 25 nationally for affordability, and in the top five best universities in the South for tech students. Accredited by ABET and SACSCOC, Florida Poly is educating some of the brightest minds in Florida and attracting standout talent from across the nation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Legal Counsel and Advisory Functions

• Provide legal advice and representation to the University, including advising the President, Board of Trustees, and senior leadership on a wide range of legal, regulatory, and policy matters.
• Keep the President and other necessary officials informed of significant legal developments, inquiries, and risks affecting the University.
• Advise on matters related to student affairs, business and finance, contracts, academic affairs, athletics, research and sponsored programs, information technology, intellectual property, employment law (including collective bargaining), tax matters, governance, and public policy.
• Advise on adherence to all applicable laws and policies, including federal and state laws, Board of Governors regulations, and University policies.
• Review, draft, and negotiate contracts and agreements, and support effective contract management with vendors, affiliated organizations, and industry partners.
• Advise on responses to subpoenas, public records requests, open meetings issues, grievances, and claims.
• Manage privilege and legal hold requirements as appropriate.
• Supervise and coordinate with outside counsel as needed and manage legal services to ensure cost-effective and high-quality representation.
• Monitor and coordinate litigation, claims, and significant disputes; implement litigation holds and coordinate e-discovery and relevant offices.
• Provide practical, solutions-oriented guidance that aligns legal compliance with institutional objectives.

2. Governance and Policy

• Support sound governance practices; develop and maintain Board bylaws, policies, and delegations of authority consistent with applicable statutes, regulations, and accreditation standards.
• Advise on conflicts of interest, ethics, and fiduciary duties for trustees and senior leadership.
• Advise the Board of Trustees on issues of governance and legal policy within its purview.
• Attend Board and committee meetings to provide guidance regarding applicable legal authorities and advise on legal and governance issues as they arise.
• Provide legal support in the Board's executive sessions as permitted by law.

3. Compliance and Risk Management

• Partner with campus leaders to promote a culture of compliance and risk awareness and mitigation; identify issues early and recommend practical controls.
• Provide training and guidance on key laws and regulations (including, as applicable, Title IX, Clery Act, ADA Title II, Section 504, FERPA, FLSA, FMLA, workplace safety and environmental health requirements, Florida public records and open meetings, and other higher education requirements).
• Monitor and coordinate litigation, claims, and significant disputes; implement litigation holds and coordinate e-discovery with relevant offices.
• Serve as liaison to state and system-level legal or compliance offices, as appropriate.

4. Administrative and Operational Leadership

• Plan and oversee the University's legal services function in a resource-conscious environment.
• Manage legal spend and implement a matter-tracking system to ensure efficient, effective provision of legal services.
• Regularly evaluate the services of outside counsel and carefully analyze outside counsel billing statements.
• Develop practical policies, procedures, and training materials to support effective operations.
• Perform special projects for the President and the Board chair and support cross-functional initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from a law school with accreditation recognized by the Supreme Court of Florida.
• Minimum ofseven yearsof progressively responsible legal experience, with prior management experience preferred.
• Licensed and in good standing to practice law in the State of Florida or eligible and available to sit for the next available Florida Bar examination after hire (not to exceed nine months from hire), with admission obtained by the first sitting for the exam and continued employment contingent upon timely admission.
• Experience in public legal affairs and/or higher education/governmental environments preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of the legal framework governing the State University System of Florida, including open government (public records and open meetings), ethics, procurement, employment, student affairs, and state and federal higher education laws, regulations, and norms.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Exceptional legal research, writing, and analytical skills; ability to translate legal requirements into workable institutional practices.
• Strong judgment, discretion, and interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate effectively and communicate clearly with diverse stakeholders.
• Skilled in problem-solving and teamwork, consistently demonstrating respect, professionalism, and appropriate demeanor.
• Proficiency with standard office and legal tools; ability to implement lightweight systems for contract management, matter tracking, and training.

Compliance and Professional Requirements

• Participation in the State University System of Florida General Counsel's Council.
• Conduct regular meetings with the President for briefings and strategic discussions.
• Provide presentations to University leadership (e.g., Strategy Circle) and the Board of Trustees regarding legal developments and compliance updates.
• Comply with annual reporting obligations pursuant toChapter 112, Florida Statutes (as applicable).
• Provide mandatory reporting of suspected or observed abuse as required by law.
• Ongoing participation in professional development to maintain licensure and legal competency.

Position Scope

• This position coordinates all legal services for the University and serves as the primary in-house counsel. It provides both strategic and operational legal guidance to advance the University's mission and ensure compliance, integrity, and sound governance. This position is designated as critical to the resumption of mission-essential functions and may require flexible work hours during time-sensitive or emergency matters.

REQUIRED LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND/OR OTHER SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF LAW:

• Must possess a valid driver's license.

• This position requires a criminal background check, which may include a Level II screening as required by Florida Statute *435.04.

• This position is subject to federal and state privacy regulations.

NORMAL WORK SCHEDULE: This position is salary exempt. The normal work schedule is Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; however, occasional overtime (weekends and evenings) may be required.

TARGET HIRING SALARY: $160,000, commensurate with experience.

Location/Work Model: Full-time/On-site

Note: Employment-based visa sponsorship will NOT be considered for this position.

APPLICATION DEADLINE DATE: The position may be open for 20 days. However, the review of applications will commence immediately.

SPECIAL APPLICATION PROCESS:
In addition to completing the online application, all applicants are required to upload the following as attachments to the application (preferably in PDF format):

Cover Letter that includes the responses to the following questions:

• Share why you are particularly interested in this position at Florida Poly and how your experiences have prepared you for this opportunity.
• Provide a couple of paragraphs about yourself, including any information you wish to share about your career. If you have ties to the Lakeland/Polk County area, you may wish to include this information as well.
• Within your organization's administrative structure, are you the person in charge of your department? To whom do you report?
• Tell us about your current salary and compensation package, and what expectations you have for this position.
• If you are not presently employed and/or have recently left your position, please explain.
• Please describe the reasons for your change of employment for your past three positions.
• Include any other information you deem appropriate for the university to know about you.

Resume

List of Five (5) professional references (Name and Contact Information).

If any of these three items are not included, you will not be considered for the position.
References will not be contacted unless you are selected as a finalist for the position.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT:

Florida Polytechnic University is an equal opportunity/equal access institution. It is the policy of the Board of Trustees to provide equal opportunity for employment and educational opportunities to all (including applicants for employment, employees, applicants for admission, students, and others affiliated with the University) without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or genetic information.

Employment is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. An appointment is not final until proof is provided.

FLORIDA POLY BENEFITS INFORMATION

Florida Poly qualified employees have the opportunity to take advantage of a variety of health benefits (through the State of Florida) to help meet their specific needs, as well as the needs of their family. This comprehensive coverage includes flexible spending accounts, medical and life insurance, and worker's compensation.

Health benefits are administered through People First, on behalf of the State of Florida, as pre-tax insurance plans. People First handles all new hire enrollments, coverage changes, premium administration, and dependent eligibility. Their Service Center is staffed Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. EST, at 1-866-663-4735.

RETIREMENT

Florida Poly offers great options for retirement. From the required selection of a state plan to additional voluntary retirement plans, our employees have many opportunities to save and prepare for their future. Click here for more information.

FLORIDA POLY BENEFITS

• Perks and Discounts
• Annual Leave
  • To help promote work-life balance, Florida Poly provides a generous leave program, which includes paid time off and paid holidays. Qualified employees may accrue 22 days of annual leave. In addition, the University observes the holidays listed in our University Holidays policy FPU-1.008.
• Sick Leave
  • Qualified employees may also accrue 12 days of annual sick leave and participate in our Sick Pool Program.
• Employee Assistant Program (EAP)

EXPLORE LAKELAND FLORIDA

Conveniently located along I-4 between Tampa and Orlando, Lakeland is home to Florida Polytechnic University and many other businesses and attractions. Click here to explore Lakeland, Florida.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING ATTACHMENTS:

Required attachments are listed on each posting. Please be sure to attach all required documents in the Resume/CV field before continuing through the application. Once your application has been submitted, no changes may be made and additional attachments will not be considered.

An unofficial copy of the degree/transcript is acceptable during the application process. For positions requiring a degree, the official transcripts are required upon hire.

Foreign Transcript: Transcripts issued outside of the United States require a equivalency statement from a certified transcript evaluation service verifying the degree equivalency to that of an accredited institution within the USA. This report must be attached with the application and submitted by the application deadline.

All document(s) must be received on or before the closing date of the job announcements.

This position requires a background check, which may include a level II screening as required by the Florida Statute*435.04.