General Counsel and Governmental Affairs Manager - 60021529
State of South Carolina
Full-time
On-site
Richland County, South Carolina, United States
$92,300 - $175,400 USD yearly
Job Responsibilities
Are you an experienced professional looking for new opportunities to further your career? The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education is seeking a hardworking and dependable candidate just like you to apply! This position will offer great benefits with the state, including 15 days of annual and sick leave per year or more depending on applicable state service.
Responsibilities of the General Counsel and Governmental Affairs Manager:The Program Manager III will serve as the agency’s General Counsel and Government Affairs (GCGA) Manager. The GCGA is responsible for establishing and maintaining positive and productive relationships with the executive and legislative branches of government, governmental agencies, postsecondary institutions, and community organizations as needed. The GCGA is the principal advisor to senior staff, and the CHE President and Executive Director (PED) regarding state legislative and regulatory issues and priorities. With guidance from the President and Executive Director, the GCGA drafts and reviews regulatory and legislative policy recommendations; and creates and reviews legal contracts and agreements for all CHE offices. The GCGA coordinates agency representation before the General Assembly and various agencies, commissions, committees, and public meetings. The GCGA advises the President and Executive Director on complex or sensitive legal matters; drafts legal opinions when requested; and assists in formulating and administering policy for the agency.
Working both independently and with guidance from the CHE's President and Executive Director (PED), recommends policy and legislative priorities that support public higher education, and the goals of the agency. Due to the GCGA'S regular interactions with Executive/Legislative Branch officials/legislative staff, must be able to respond quickly to requests, act independently and with confidentiality and discretion. On behalf of the PED, the GCGA will coordinate agency's responses to external inquiries with priority given to state leadership. With the counsel of the PED, represents the agency at official functions with the purpose presenting information to promote services, exchange ideas, receive input, or accomplish objectives of the agency. The GCGA'S must be self-sufficient in performing all assigned duties in a timely manner.- Serves as CHE’s General Legal Counsel. Manages and prioritizes all legal matters for the agency. Represents the agency in legal matters and proceedings. Works in conjunction with outside counsel, when necessary, on agency legal matters. Creates and reviews legal contracts and agreements for the agency. Coordinates and prepares agency’s final response to FOIA requests.
- Advises the PED on complex or sensitive legal matters. Drafts regulations and reviews draft legislation, resolutions, and amendments. Drafts legal opinions when requested. Reviews work products of the CHE Offices. Coordinates legal or administrative matters with appropriate personnel within the agency. Coordinates and leads formal review of regulations and draft updates as necessary.
- Serves as the agency's staff lead for state legislative and regulatory issues. Represents the agency at external meetings and coordinates agency representation at legislative or other governmental committees and agency discussions with legislative or other state leaders. Develops positive productive relationships with legislative, governmental and executive branch staff.
- Monitors legislation and regulations. Provides weekly written updates for staff, Commissioners, and the CHE website during the legislative and budget sessions, with guidance from the PED. Communicates with institutional governmental relations staff as needed and periodically convenes governmental relations staff to identify higher education priorities. Works collaboratively to develop a written annual policy agenda. Drafts policy statements as needed.
- Responds to requests for information or assistance from governmental agencies, legislative or executive branches. Including constituent assistance and fiscal impact statements. Works with the Office of the President end Executive Director staff to maintain a central database or external information requests.
- Collaborates with other higher education policy and legislative partners on priority issues.
Minimum and Additional Requirements
Given the complexity of the work and clientele, the agency prefers the incumbent hold a Juris Doctorate or equivalent, be a member of the South Carolina bar, and have at least five years of public administration or other relevant experience.
Additional Requirements:- Knowledge of state and federal laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the agency and higher education.
- Knowledge of higher education policy and command of state-level higher education issues and systems.
- Ability to understand legislative and governmental systems; and create and review legal contracts and agreements for the agency.
- Ability to collaborate, negotiate and mediate divergent viewpoints, as well as communicate effectively through written and oral presentations.
- Ability to guide and lead others through collaboration and negotiation when needed.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced political environment, assess needs of stakeholders and adjust working style as appropriate for the environment.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships while working collaboratively with co-workers, diverse higher education communities and other stakeholders.
- Ability to be discrete and hold matters in confidence. Ability to represent the agency with professionalism.
- Position may require overnight travel.
- Position may require employee to work evenings and weekends.
- Position requires on-call shifts and call back.
- Position requires essential declaration.
- Position may be required to report to work during emergency situations.
Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application will be required to bring a copy of college transcript to the interview. A copy of the transcript may also be uploaded as an attachment to the application, if required by the hiring department or if desired by the applicant. Please note that some areas of the Department may require an official, certified copy of the transcript prior to hiring or within a specific timeframe required by that area, after hiring. Failure to produce an official, certified transcript may result in not being hired or termination.Additional Comments
The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.
Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.