Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) - General Counsel

Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist MassArt in its search for General Counsel. 

For full consideration, please apply by June 8, 2026.

This is a remarkable opportunity to lead and shape the future during a vibrant period of accomplishment at Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt). The General Counsel joins MassArt at a time of strong institutional momentum, with a dynamic leadership team, a revitalized branding initiative, and the launch of a refreshed Strategic Partnership Plan. Under the guidance of an inspiring President, MassArt continues its trajectory of transformative growth while remaining steadfast in its mission to cultivate artists, designers, educators, and makers from diverse backgrounds who shape communities, economies, and cultures for the common good. MassArt is the nation’s only independent public college of art and design, serving over 2,000 undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education students.

The General Counsel will serve as the University’s chief legal and compliance officer, providing strategic legal guidance to the President, Board of Trustees, President’s Cabinet, and senior leadership on a broad and complex range of matters. As a collaborative partner, the General Counsel promotes sound decision-making and mitigates institutional risk, ensuring policies and practices align with legal requirements and best practices in higher education. This is a highly engaged role requiring a proactive, solutions-oriented approach and the ability to advise across a wide range of institutional issues, from employment and labor relations to free expression, student matters, and emerging regulatory challenges. The General Counsel oversees the University’s compliance program, centralized policy management system, and Enterprise Risk Management process, while advising on employment matters, governance, contracts, and regulatory compliance, and managing relationships with outside counsel.

This role is highly visible across the institution, serving as a trusted and accessible advisor on sensitive and high-profile matters. The General Counsel will be a proactive partner to campus leaders, known for sound judgment, strong communication, and the ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, practical guidance. The General Counsel works closely with Human Resources, Equal Opportunity/Title IX, and other administrative units to support compliance, resolve complex issues, and mitigate risk. The General Counsel brings exceptional judgment, integrity, and discretion, with the ability to navigate complex legal landscapes in support of the University’s mission.

This position reports to the President and supervises the Executive Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX, as well as co-supervision of the Administrative and Special Projects Coordinator.

This is a fully on-site position and offers a generous benefits package. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Provide legal counsel and strategic guidance to the officers of the institution and other senior management on all legal matters relevant to a public higher education institution, including personnel law, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations, and laws pertaining to students, purchasing contracts, grants, Memorandums of Understanding, worker compensation, liability and insurance matters, public monies and purchases, affirmative action, and other laws and regulations
• Serve as a proactive, solutions-oriented advisor to campus leaders, providing clear, practical guidance on complex and sensitive issues across all areas of the institution
• Advise and support the Human Resources team with matters related to employment law issues (Titles VI, VII, and IX, ADA, FLSA, and FMLA), employment policies, benefits administration, matters of compliance with state and federal regulations, and recommendations for corrective actions as needed
• Oversee the University’s collective bargaining agreements, providing counsel to the president, senior administrators, and human resources team on personnel actions, discipline, and grievances
• Advise and support the Equal Opportunity Office, providing oversight and guidance
• Perform legal research and analysis regarding a wide range of legislative, regulatory, and other institutional matters and presents findings to the President, Cabinet, and Board of Trustees
• Oversee enterprise risk management and compliance committee to ensure that the University is following federal, state, and local policies, and regulations
• Participate in the development, review, and updating of policies and administrative procedures, as needed
• Inform the President, Cabinet and staff of changes to legislation, Board Policy, Administrative procedures and other issues impacting operations
• Examine, create and maintain draft agreements and legal documents of College’s operations
• Maintain confidentiality of privileged information and adhere to applicable privacy laws.
• Demonstrate sensitivity, understanding and respect of diverse populations within the workplace
• Represent or oversee the representation of the institution and upper management in judicial and administrative proceedings, and in negotiations with other state agencies
• Build and maintain strong relationships with state agencies, peer institutions, and external partners to inform legal strategy and leverage available resources
• Ensure that the College’s commitment to Justice, Equity and Transformation is incorporated in all College processes and programming

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment
• Ability to provide sound legal advice and counsel to senior university officials on a wide range of legal and policy issues
• Knowledge of the range of applicable laws and regulations which impact on all facets of university policy and operations
• Ability to analyze and interpret issues and to prepare legal opinions
• Ability to communicate and interact with officials at all levels of government

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited U.S. law school and current license to practice in the State of Massachusetts, or eligibility to apply for admission at the time of application
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive responsibility in higher education or public-sector law, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Knowledge of and familiarity with applicable regulations, laws and statutes governing employment and higher education, including but not limited to Titles IV, VI, VII and IX, as well as ADA, FLSA, and FMLA
• Experience operating in a collective bargaining environment 
• Strong skills in legal research and analysis
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to organize work to meet established deadlines while maintaining attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain positive and professional relationships with a diverse range of internal and external community members with differing education, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds
• Proven ability to serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, exercising exceptional judgment and discretion in complex and sensitive matters with significant institutional impact
• Maintains required training, licensure and/or certifications 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Previous work experience with higher education or public sector law with specialization in employment law and contract review
• Current or previous experience in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

About the Institution 
  
Founded in 1873, Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt), is the nation's first and only independent, free-standing public college of art and design. MassArt is an inclusive community of thinkers, doers, makers, educators, innovators, and leaders striving to shape the future through art and design. Located in Boston's hub of arts and culture along the Avenue of the Arts, MassArt enrolls 2,000 students and offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate degrees in 18 disciplines, as well as continuing education and youth programs. 
  
MassArt is a diverse and inclusive campus community that prepares artists, designers, and educators from diverse backgrounds to shape communities, economies, and cultures for the common good. The College offers twenty-two areas of concentration in fine arts, design and art education, and awards one undergraduate degree, the Bachelor of Fine Arts, and graduate degrees including the Master of Fine Arts, the Master of Art in Teaching, Master of Education, Master of Design Innovation, and the Master of Architecture. The college also offers certificate programs in Communication Design, Fashion Design, Furniture Design, and Industrial Design.  
  
The College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), the National Architecture Accrediting Board (NAAB) and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) and is a member of the Association of Independent College of Art and Design (AICAD) the ProArts Consortium and the Colleges of the Fenway, a collaboration of five neighboring Boston-based colleges in the Fenway area. 
 
Living in the Area   
   
With a population of nearly 700,000, Boston often feels like a small town with the perks of city life. It is a cosmopolitan city offering cultural diversity, a rich culinary and arts scene, and proximity to world-class schools, employers and health care. It is on the cutting edge of medicine and technology but traditional in its love of sports and the city’s deep history. With a modern, attractive, and completely walkable downtown, Boston is dotted with Revolutionary period historic sites along the Freedom Trail and preserved old streetscapes mixed in with modern commercial office buildings.  The scenic Charles River offers endless opportunities for outdoor activities.     
     
Arts and culture amenities in downtown Boston and the entire surrounding area are exceptional, and most, like the Boston Pops and the Museum of Fine Arts, are well known beyond the city limits.      
      
The surrounding suburbs offer an excellent alternative to city living with access to a well-used commuter rail system. Each neighborhood has its own town center that is functional, accessible by the rail system, and filled with local businesses.      
     
Education, at all levels, is outstanding in Boston and the surrounding areas. Public schools are nationally recognized and are a driver for people moving to the area. Additionally, the entire Boston Metro area is centrally located near everything Massachusetts and the Northeast has to offer – skiing in New Hampshire, beaches in Cape Cod, and trips to New York City are all only 2 to 3 hours away.       
 
Why Work at MassArt? 
  
Massachusetts College of Art and Design offers a dynamic, inclusive, and creative work environment with a comprehensive benefits package, including:
 

• Health Insurance: Medical insurance along with life insurance, and long-term disability through the Commonwealth’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC). MetLife Dental and vision coverage is also offered through MetLife 
• Retirement Plans: Participation in the Massachusetts State Employees’ Retirement System and additional optional savings plans including 403b and 457b plans 
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Healthcare spending account as well as a dependent care assistance program. Both are pre-tax annual use or lose programs 
• Employee Assistance Program: AllOne Health is our EAP provider offering a variety of free confidential assistance to all our employees 
• Generous Paid Leave: Vacation, sick, and personal 
• Other Leaves: FMLA, PFML, and other state or federal programs 
• Commuter Transit and Parking Benefits: Qualified transportation program allows use of pre-tax dollars to purchase passes, a monthly subsidy for non-drivers, and access to Longwood Medical Area shuttles 
• Professional Development: Access to training, workshops, and creative resources 
• Campus Perks: Free admission to the MassArt Art Museum (MAAM), cultural events, and employee discounts at local museums 
• Work-Life Balance: Wellness programs and flexible scheduling options (where applicable) 
• Collaborative Culture: Join a mission-driven community committed to equity, innovation, and the arts 

To Apply 

For full consideration, please apply by June 8, 2026.

Please apply through the application link and do not email applications. 

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially.

Inquiries and questions: Please send to MassArtGC@acesrch.com.
Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominee’s name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com.

Salary range for this position: $190,000-$200,000.

Institutional Information
MassArt provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, genetic information, pregnancy or a pregnancy-related condition, or membership in any other legally protected class. MassArt complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the college operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.     

Salary : $190,000 - $200,000