Job Description

Title: General Counsel
Division Name: Presidential
Department: Office of General Counsel
Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

The General Counsel is responsible for all legal matters affecting Illinois State University and provides legal counsel to the President and administrative officers. The General Counsel will ensure the efficient and prompt delivery of legal services to Illinois State University; make periodic reports to the President on outstanding litigation matters; provide strategic and tactical guidance and direction in all aspects of the management of the Office of the General Counsel, including personnel and budget; establish general guidelines for legal services; coordinate legal interpretations and opinions as to policies, procedures, rules and regulations affecting operating procedures, personnel and students; maintain current knowledge of the latest national, state and local developments affecting Illinois State University; provide assistance to the President as requested; serve on the President's Cabinet; and other duties as assigned by the President.

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$250,000–$265,000 Annual Salary

Required Qualifications

1. J.D. or LL.B. degree from an ABA accredited law school
2. Ten years as a practicing attorney in a complex higher education, government, non-profit, corporate or other organization with comparable complexity; five years of that experience in higher education law
3. Admission to the Illinois bar by the time of appointment, or an active license to practice law in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction and eligibility for a limited license under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 716
4. Excellent independent judgment and decision-making skills
5. Excellent oral and written communication skills
6. Strong management and interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate
7. Experience supervising/managing other attorneys, department staff, outside consultants, and budgets

Preferred Qualifications

1. General Counsel experience or Associate General Counsel experience in public higher education in Illinois
2. Admission to Federal Courts in Illinois

Work Hours

Varies

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without reasonable accommodation:
1. Remain at a workstation for extended periods
2. Move about in various locations on and off campus as needed to complete day-to-day work
3. Effectively communicate on a daily basis

Proposed Starting Date

December 2026

Required Applicant Documents

Letter of Interest
Current Resume

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Greenwood Asher & Associates is assisting Illinois State University in this search. Applications and nominations are now being accepted. Inquiries and nominations should be directed to Kyle Pybus-Jerome and/or Jim Johnsen from Greenwood Asher & Associates. Application materials should include the following:

A letter of interest describing professional experiences related to the opportunities and requirements of the position and a vision for providing strategic legal counsel to a complex public university during times of rapid change and transformation
A current resume

Candidates should also provide the names and contact information for three references. References will not be contacted without prior knowledge and approval from candidates.
We strongly encourage submitting application materials in PDF format. The search will be conducted with a commitment to confidentiality for candidates until finalists are selected. Initial screening of applications will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made. For best consideration, applications and nominations should be provided by August 28, 2026.
University Benefit Highlights:

Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
Paid benefit time

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Contact Information for Applicants

Please direct inquiries and nominations to:

Kyle Pybus-Jerome,
Senior Executive Search Consultant
Email: kylepybusjerome@greenwoodsearch.com

Jim Johnsen,
Vice President of Executive Search
Email: jimjohnsen@greenwoodsearch.com

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.