Vice President of Legal Affairs and General Counsel

ABOUT COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO:

Founded in 1890, Columbia College Chicago is a private, nonprofit institution dedicated to preparing students for careers in the visual, performing, media, and communication arts. Located in the heart of downtown Chicago's Cultural Mile, the College serves approximately 4,500 students through more than 60 undergraduate and graduate programs across its schools of Audio and Music, Business and Entrepreneurship, Communication and Culture, Design, Fashion, Film and Television, Theatre and Dance, and Visual Arts.

POSITION:

Reporting directly to President Dr. Shantay N. Bolton, the Vice President of Legal Affairs and General Counsel serves as the College's chief legal officer, principal advisor to the President and Board of Trustees, and a key member of the President's Cabinet.

This position provides strategic leadership, counsel, and oversight for all legal, compliance, risk-management, and policy matters affecting the College.

KEY LEADERSHIP PRIORITIES:

- Champion Institutional Integrity and Stewardship
- Serve as Strategic Partner and Trusted Advisor
- Advance Enterprise Risk Management and Compliance Excellence
- Foster Inclusion and Ethical Leadership

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Vice President of Legal Affairs and General Counsel provides executive leadership and operational oversight for:

- Comprehensive legal strategy and representation of the College in all matters of law and policy
- Regulatory compliance in areas such as Title IX, Clery Act, ADA/Section 504, labor and employment, intellectual property, and privacy
- Enterprise risk management, including contract review, insurance, and institutional risk mitigation strategies
- Policy development and revision, ensuring consistency with federal, state, and local laws
- Oversight of external counsel and management of legal budgets and resources
- Training and capacity building for administrators, faculty, and staff on compliance, ethics, and risk awareness
- Collaboration with key stakeholders across campus to advance institutional priorities

QUALIFICATIONS:

- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and membership in good standing in the bar of Illinois or eligibility for admission within one year of hire
- A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible legal experience, preferably in higher education or in a complex nonprofit, corporate, or governmental setting
- Demonstrated expertise in higher education law, labor and employment law, contracts, governance, compliance, and risk management
- Ability to translate legal complexity into practical guidance that empowers decision-making and innovation
- Record of success as a collaborative, transparent, and forward-thinking leader
- Commitment to inclusion; cultural competence in working with creative communities
- Exceptional communication, negotiation, and analytical skills
- Proven ability to advise boards, presidents, and senior leadership teams

TO APPLY:

Contact Dakota Doman, Managing Director at ddoman@zrgpartners.com or Jerel Booker, Principal at jbooker@zrgpartners.com