Metro New York & Southern Connecticut

Executive Legal Counsel and Labor Designee

POSITION DETAILS

Reporting to the College President, the Executive Legal Counsel and Labor Designee serves as the College Attorney and principal legal advisor to the President and senior leadership. The College seeks a dynamic legal professional with subject matter expertise to advise on complex matters, including litigation, labor and employment law, compliance, contracts, governance, fundraising, and immigration.

The Executive Counsel serves as hearing officer for disciplinary and grievance matters involving classified and instructional staff and acts as the College?s liaison to the City University of New York Office of the General Counsel and the University Office of the Vice Chancellor for Labor Relations.

The Executive Counsel also serves as the College?s Ethics Officer, Records Retention Officer, and Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) Officer; chairs the College?s Workplace Violence Prevention Advisory Team; and serves on the College P&B and President?s Cabinet.

With wide latitude for independent judgment, responsibilities will include:

• Serving as senior legal advisor to the President and Executive Cabinet.
• Administration and interpretation of the University Bylaws, University and College policies and procedures, the College governance charter, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Providing counsel to leadership and employees on matters including contractual agreements, conflicts of interest, personnel issues, investigations, student and administrative matters.
• Negotiating, drafting, revising, and reviewing a broad range of contracts, including agreements with donors, suppliers, and internal and external partners.
• Responding to legal, policy, and procedural inquiries from College, University, and government officials.
• Reviewing subpoenas and requests for information under applicable public records laws.
• Preparing clear, effective, and persuasive legal and transactional correspondence and related documents.
• Ensuring compliance with CUNY policies and standards related to promotion and tenure and multiple position appointments.
• Preparing time-sensitive reports and submissions for external agencies
• Handle employee grievances and disciplinary proceedings; serve as hearing officer for Step One classified and instructional staff actions, represent the College at Step Two hearings, partnering with CUNY?s Office of the General Counsel to manage litigation and administrative matters involving College officers, faculty, and staff.
• Respond to a variety of complaints, such as employment discrimination complaints from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the New York State Division of Human Rights
• Advising and supporting compliance with EEO, ADEA, ADA, Title VI, Title VII, and Title IX requirements in coordination with appropriate University, College, State, and Federal officials.
• Conduct confidential legal and labor-related investigations
• Delivering ethics, policy, and labor-management training and promoting compliance with federal and state law.
• Performing related duties as assigned by the President.

This role operates on a 70% hybrid schedule, with regular onsite attendance required and remote work permitted in accordance with agency policy and operational needs.

CUNY is an equal opportunity employer, is committed to increasing the diversity of its workforce and is dedicated to recruiting and retaining professionals who share the College?s commitment to equity. It welcomes nominations of, and applications from members of protected groups including minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities, as well as others who would bring additional perspectives to the university?s mission. Candidates with demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusiveness through their research, teaching and/or service are also encouraged to apply. One of Queensborough Community College?s greatest strengths, and a necessary element of excellence, is the diversity of our community. We strive to attract and nurture a talented and diverse faculty and staff that proudly reflect the unique character of the local Queens community, the most diverse county in the United States.

QUALIFICATIONS

This position is in CUNY's Executive Compensation Plan. All executive positions require a minimum of a Bachelor's degree and eight years' related experience.

Candidates must hold a J.D., be admitted to the New York State Bar, and have at least eight years of related experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will bring strong legal judgment, deep subject matter expertise, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to navigate complex and sensitive matters with discretion, professionalism, and sound decision-making.

• Strong experience handling labor and employment matters, particularly in the public sector
• Experience advising executive leadership on complex legal matters and influencing strategic and operational decision-making
• Experience in nonprofit or higher education environments, preferably within CUNY
• Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, and communication skills
• Demonstrated sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively across a complex organization

CUNY TITLE

Associate Administrator

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

$170,000-$189,000. Salary commensurate with education and experience.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

HOW TO APPLY

Visit www.cuny.edu, access the employment page, log in or create a new user account, and search for this vacancy using the Job ID or Title. Select "Apply Now" and provide the requested information.

Candidates should provide a resume and cover letter.

CLOSING DATE

July 21, 2026.

Review of resumes to begin immediately.

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Executive

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Job ID: 32454

Location: Queensborough CC

Job Type: Full-Time

About CUNY Queensborough Community College

Queensborough Community College is located on a lush 37-acre campus in Bayside, Queens, New York. Queensborough offers a rich liberal arts and science curriculum as well as career and pre-professional courses. Comprising one of the most diverse populations of any college in the U.S., over 16,000 students pursue associate degrees or certificate programs. The College’s transfer programs are designed for students who plan to continue their studies at a four-year institution. Career programs provide the academic foundation and training for students who plan to begin or advance in a great career. Queensborough Community College is accredited by the Commission of Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The Business programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. The Nursing program is registered by the New York State Education Department and is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. The Computer Engineering Technology programs are accredited by Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Connections working at CUNY Queensborough Community College