General Counsel and Governmental Affairs Manager - 60021529

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.  

• 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 and reviews draft legislation, resolutions, and amendments. Drafts legal opinions when requested. Reviews work products of all 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 and 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 Office of the President and Executive Director staff to maintain a central database of external information requests. 
• Collaborates with other higher education policy and legislative partners on priority issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned by President and Executive Director, including representing the Agency at meetings and functions as necessary.

• Given the complexity of the work and clientele, the incumbent must 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.

• 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 may be required to report to work during emergency situations. 
• Position requires essential declaration.

The 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.