Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary to the Board of Trustees

Ithaca College, a private institution renowned for its undergraduate liberal arts curriculum and pre-professional and graduate programs, seeks a vice president, general counsel and secretary to the board of trustees to form a strong partnership with President Shirley M. Collado in shaping the next chapter of the college’s exciting history.

Ithaca College strives to be the standard-bearer for residential comprehensive colleges, fostering intellect, creativity and character in an active, student-centered learning community. Leading this charge is Dr. Shirley M. Collado, who took office as Ithaca’s ninth president on July 1, 2017 and was officially inaugurated on November 4. In her inaugural address, President Collado envisioned an Ithaca College that continues to be a trailblazer in the shifting landscape of higher education and empowers all of its students to learn, grow and serve the public good.

“All of us here have the power to create an exceptional future for higher education and for this country,” said President Collado. “This is an incredible opportunity, and we cannot let it pass us by. Let’s work together to advance a vision that affirms our humanity. Let’s be daring. Let’s be confident. And let’s step arm in arm, boldly into the future.”

President Collado has taken the helm at an auspicious time in the college’s history: 2017 marks Ithaca’s 125th anniversary, and a yearlong celebration is honoring its roots, achievements and the distinctive relationships that have connected students, alumni, faculty, staff and families through the years.

The next vice president, general counsel and secretary to the board of trustees (GC) of Ithaca College (IC) will provide executive and administrative direction over the college’s legal affairs as a member of the president’s senior leadership team. Reporting to the president, this executive will serve as the chief legal officer, providing legal support, advice and assistance to the board of trustees, president, senior leaders, faculty and staff on all legal matters affecting the institution. As a highly visible member of the senior leadership team, this executive will be responsible for a wide range of legal, regulatory, compliance, insurance and risk management matters and will manage the legal resources in a manner that supports the overall priorities of the organization. The GC will be expected to provide a proactive and collaborative approach to the legal issues associated with a dynamic organization committed to redefining the future of higher education.

The individual selected for this position will be a highly strategic, proactive attorney who is well-versed in the business dynamics and regulatory environment of higher education. The GC will be innovative and entrepreneurial, capable of creating solutions that facilitate the college’s initiatives to assure the success and growth of the organization. Working with the board of trustees, president, senior leadership and the legal, compliance, insurance and risk management teams, the GC will constantly be thinking of better ways to operate, structure and support IC objectives and opportunities.

The GC is expected to effectively lead a high performing legal team, ensuring their accountability while also effectively mentoring this group and building a positive, open and responsive team environment. The GC will be an actively engaged leader with mature interpersonal skills who adds broad legal experience in higher education to the team and remains active in the practice of law. It is important that the GC be a credible and visible college-wide leader who exhibits high integrity and the skills of listening effectively and partnering collaboratively. This is an outstanding opportunity to develop and lead a successful legal team committed to the success of a robust and diverse learning community at an exceptional institution.

Candidates must bring a distinguished record of achievement and senior leadership experience. The successful candidate must have excellent academic credentials and a law degree from an ABA accredited school of law; membership in the State Bar of New York or eligibility for admission based on reciprocity is required (if reciprocity is not available, out of state candidates will be expected to become full New York State Bar members within one year of employment) and with at least ten years of broad legal experience in higher education and/or other non-profit entities gained in-house or through working closely with higher education or not for profit clients. 

Inquiries, nominations and applications are invited. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. For fullest consideration, applicant materials should be received by May 11, 2018. Candidates should provide a professional resume; a letter of application that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described in the leadership statement available at http://www.wittkieffer.com/position/vice-president-general-counsel-and-secretary-to-the-board-of-trustees/ithaca-college/13842; and the names and contact information of five references. This search will be conducted with great respect for confidentiality, and references will not be contacted without prior knowledge and approval of candidates. Materials should be sent electronically via e-mail to the college’s consultants Robin Mamlet, Werner Boel and Charlene Aguilar at ICGeneralCounsel@wittkieffer.com. The consultants can be reached by telephone through the desk of Richard Velazco at 678-302-1551.

Ithaca College values diversity because it enriches our community and the myriad experiences that characterize an Ithaca College education. Diversity encompasses multiple dimensions including but not limited to race, culture, nationality, ethnicity, religion, ideas, beliefs, geographic origin, class, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, disability and age. We are dedicated to addressing current and past injustices and promoting excellence and equity. Ithaca College continually strives to build an inclusive and welcoming community of individuals with diverse talents and skills from a multitude of backgrounds who are committed to civility, mutual respect, social justice and the free and open exchange of ideas. We commit ourselves to change, growth and action that embrace diversity as an integral part of the educational experience and of the community we create.