General Counsel Attorney

Category:

Administrative, Professional & Staff Positions

Department: LEGAL SERVICES

Locations: Macomb, IL

Posted: Nov 9, 2023

Closes: Open Until Filled

Type: FT - Continuous

About Western Illinois University:

Western Illinois University, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, serves over 7,600 students at its traditional, residential four-year campus in Macomb, IL and its metropolitan branch campus in Moline, IL.

Job Description:

Western Illinois University (WIU) seeks a committed, visionary, and experienced attorney to serve as the General Counsel Attorney to provide in-house legal counsel for the University, including strategic consultation and support to the President and to senior leaders and campus departments on a comprehensive range of complex legal issues, policies, and procedures. The position reports to the President and serves to help shape the President's strategic considerations on legal matters that may affect the university.

Accessible and collaborative, the General Counsel will have well-developed analytical and communication skills, including the ability to carefully assess complex matters and advise leadership on the management of risk and response. The General Counsel is responsible for a wide range of legal, regulatory, policy, and governance issues that may arise, providing advice directly, or by engaging the services of outside counsel. This leader will work with others at WIU to develop or modify practices and procedures to conform with legal requirements and to manage risk; act as a liaison with outside legal firms; assisting with monitoring and review of litigation of importance to WIU; and keep informed on legislation and case law developments affecting WIU's operations.

The General Counsel represents the University, or coordinates representation, on external administrative agencies hearings and proceedings, employment related grievance hearings and arbitration, and collective bargaining. Responsibilities also include drafting or reviewing contracts; contract litigation and/or enforcement; bond financing oversight, assisting with negotiations of gift agreements and development related matters; serving as a member of the administrative team for collective bargaining and other labor-management issues; and coordinating or assisting with policy and procedure development, update, and review, as well as matters of compliance and risk management. The General Counsel also acts as the Freedom of Information Act Officer and Ethics Officer.

The chosen candidate must contribute to a growing, vibrant, thriving organizational and institutional culture and will have superior legal acumen and the ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.

APPOINTMENT: January 1, 2024 or negotiated start date.

COMPENSATION: A competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience will be provided to the successful candidate.

Western Illinois University offers a comprehensive benefits package including domestic partner benefits. For full benefit information visit: http://www.wiu.edu/human_resources/benefits/.

Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

• Law degree (J.D. or LL.M.) from an accredited institution and a current license to practice law in the State of Illinois (or eligibility to achieve admission to the State Bar of Illinois at appointment);
• Minimum of three years of proven success as a practicing attorney providing legal guidance in the context of a complex organization;
• Experience in legal research and administrative compliance investigations;
• Exceptional analytical, interpersonal, and written and verbal communication skills;
• Proven leadership skills and ability to work with diverse individuals and groups;
• Demonstrated sound judgement and personal and professional integrity.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with, or understanding of, a unionized public sector or higher education environment;
• Experience with contract law, negotiations, and employment law.

For a degree to be considered, it must be conferred from a regionally accredited degree-granting institution of higher education (or equivalent from an international accrediting body).

Additional Information:

http://wiu.edu/about

Since 1899, Western Illinois University has provided outstanding educational opportunities to individuals in west central Illinois and well beyond our region and state. WIU's traditional residential campus in Macomb, Illinois, is the educational, cultural and athletic center of the region, while the WIU-Quad Cities non-residential branch campus in Moline, Illinois, is the only public university in the immediate Quad Cities region. WIU currently serves over 7,600 students between the two campuses.

WIU-Macomb, IL: Western's traditional, residential main campus offers a comprehensive slate of undergraduate and graduate programs, including a doctorate in education, and post-baccalaureate certificates. A diverse community in west central Illinois, Macomb features a unique blend of agriculture, industry, service, retail, education, and culture. Macomb serves as the county seat, with connections across the state with Amtrak providing twice-daily service from Macomb to Chicago (and point in-between). Macomb is located approximately 75 miles from the Quad Cities International Airport (Moline, IL) and 70 miles from the Greater Peoria Regional Airport (Peoria, IL).

WIU-Quad Cities: Located on the banks of the Mississippi River in Moline, Illinois, the WIU-Quad Cities campus is the only public four-year regional university that serves the Quad Cities region. Designed as a metropolitan commuter campus, WIU-Quad Cities offers select undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. Moline is located just 80 miles north of the Macomb campus and is centered within a diverse, bi-state community of 383,000 that offers a broad range of cultural, social, and entertainment amenities and experiences, as well as varied businesses and industries.

http://wiu.edu/dei

Western Illinois University fosters respect, equity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. WIU is committed to anti-racism, anti-oppression, equity, social justice, and diversity. We value inclusion as a core value and as an essential element of Western's public service mission. WIU embraces individual uniqueness and a culture of inclusion that supports broad and specific diversity initiatives. Western believes in the educational and institutional benefits of diversity in society as integral to the success of all individuals.
At WIU, we will:

• Maintain a safe and secure environment for all members of our University communities.
• Educate and empower students, staff, and faculty to be social justice advocates.
• Provide curricula, programs, training, resources, and environments that reflect and strengthen the diversity of our communities, and to elevate cultural awareness and understanding.
• Ensure fair, equitable, and inclusive access to University facilities, programs, resources, and services.
• Create inclusive and equitable policies and practices.
• Diversify the University's workforce by assessing hiring practices to attract, retain, and develop talented staff and faculty from diverse backgrounds.
• Address intergroup disparities through areas as representation, retention, learning outcomes, and graduation rates.
• Create a University wide diversity plan to ensure a continued commitment to anti-racism, anti-oppression, equity, social justice, and diversity.

http://wiu.edu/academics

More than 61 undergraduate degree programs, 41 graduate programs, two doctoral programs and 16 post-baccalaureate certificate programs prepare students for a successful career after graduation.

Student Resources

More than 200 student organizations at Western provide social, academic, recreation, sports, service, and many other opportunities for students to grow and learn, develop leadership skills, and much more. Numerous concerts, lectures, films, dance performances, cultural events and more are presented and performed each year, along with numerous major theatrical and dance productions and studio shows, and a variety of service-oriented projects and activities, all in a diverse and inclusive campus environment. The Multicultural Center is home to four cultural and resource centers: The Gwendolyn Brooks, Casa Latina, the Women's Center, and the LGBT*QA Resource Center. These cultural and resource centers promote WIU's goal of enhancing justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion through educational programming and advocacy.

http://wiu.edu/athletics

The University's athletics program, based on the Macomb campus, sponsors 17 NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's and women's varsity sports. Football competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision through the Missouri Valley Football Conference; all other varsity sports compete at the Division I level through The Summit League.

Application Instructions:

Application Instructions:

Applicants will be required to upload a letter of application and current curriculum vitae or resume, as well as provide contact information for at least three professional references for their online application. Unofficial transcripts are required at the time of application; however, candidates chosen for on-campus visits will be required to submit official transcripts for continued consideration.

Please upload the requested documents by clicking APPLY NOW or by navigating to the WIU Employment page at the following URL: http://www.wiu.edu/employment/

Screening will begin on November 27, 2023 and will continue until position is filled.

Western Illinois University endeavors to provide a safe environment for its employees and students and requires candidates to submit to a background investigation upon offer of employment. Employment is contingent upon compliance with University policies and procedures relating to the receipt and evaluation of information contained in the background investigation.

Western Illinois University is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people, including, but not limited to, minorities, veterans, women and individuals with disabilities. WIU has a non-discrimination policy that includes discrimination based on an individual's membership in the following classes: sex, race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, marital status, national origin, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and any other classes protected by state or federal law. Western Illinois University is a drug-free, smoke-free workplace.

Questions regarding the search may be directed to: Amelia Hartnett at mailto:[email protected].

For assistance with the online application system contact the Human Resources at (309) 298-1971 or via email at mailto:[email protected].

To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/4783700

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