Vice President for Government Affairs and General Counsel

Agency: President's Office
Job no: 493848
Work type: Professional / Salaried Staff
Location: Evansville
Categories: Government and Legal Affairs

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Title: Vice President for Government Affairs and General Counsel

Division: President's Office

Department: Government and Legal Affairs

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary Range: Annual Salary

EEO Job Group: 1.2 E1

Position Summary

The University of Southern Indiana is accepting applications for Vice President for Government Affairs and General Counsel.

The Vice President for Government Affairs and General Counsel serves as the University of Southern Indiana’s principal liaison to local, state and federal government and seeks to develop strong, collaborative relationships with policymakers including members and staff of the Indiana General Assembly, the Office of the Governor, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, the Indiana Office of Management and Budget as well as related associations, groups and organizations locally, throughout the State of Indiana and at the federal level. The VP for Government Affairs and General Counsel provides legal counsel and guidance to the President, Board of Trustees and other members of the University community on a broad range of legal matters relevant to the institution including compliance, contracts and grant management, employment, general business law policies and procedures, laws pertaining to students, real estate transactions and other laws and regulations.

Duties/Responsibilities

Plan, direct and develop the presentation of operating and capital budget requests and other supporting or requested material to the Indiana General Assembly and other state agencies, including the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, Indiana Legislative Council, Indiana State Budget Agency, Legislative Services Agency and other state agencies.

Conduct review of bills introduced by the Indiana General Assembly, seek input from various University departments concerning proposed legislation and monitor legislation throughout the legislative session. Develop and present the University’s position on proposed legislation; serve as a clearing house of the status of legislation both pending and enacted.

Work with legislators and legislative staff to respond to bills of interest. Update and advise the Board of Trustees, University leadership and staff about relevant policy proposals and action.

Meet on a regular basis throughout the year with legislators, legislative and state agency fiscal and policy staff and other officials responsible for postsecondary education funding to maintain productive working relationships between the University of Southern Indiana and state government. Work closely with legislators and legislative staff in the analysis and impact of funding models.

Collaborate with other Indiana public universities on a regular basis during legislative sessions and periodically during the rest of the year, to develop communications with legislators regarding higher education policy, operating and capital needs.

Provide leadership in formulating and implementing institutional strategies for anticipating legal issues and risk, preparing drafts and reviewing legal documents including contracts, memoranda of agreement, policies and procedures. Advise management, including the Finance and Audit Committee of the Board, on issues related to federal, state and local laws and rules.

Participate in judicial and administrative processes through appearances before various outside agencies and/or commissions as needed. Advise with respect to internal dispute resolution and judicial proceedings such as student disciplinary matters and employment issues.

Engage and supervise outside counsel as needed concerning legal matters.

Represent the University with the Indiana General Assembly and other units of local, state and federal government. Strengthen and manage established relationships with both state and federal legislators and key staff members from both the Indiana State House and those at the federal level.

Lead and oversee the Institutional Equity Office which works to implement and uphold policies and practices consistent with federal and state mandates as well as University policies regarding equal access, employment and educational opportunities for all. The Institutional Equity Office is also the Title IX office for the USI campus. The office upholds the federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs and activities.

Serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet and Council. Collaborate directly with the President, Vice Presidents and other administrative staff and faculty in establishing, developing and directing a strategic comprehensive government relations program to inform constituents and the public of the University's activities, goals and needs.

Actively participate in the local Chamber Government Affairs Committee and attend other professional meetings.

Track and prepare legislative activity reports for the Indiana Lobby Registration Commission. Responsible for assuring compliance with state lobby reporting law, including data gathering, document preparation and educating University officials as to the lobbying provisions.

Work with state and federal legislative offices and University departments to resolve a wide range of problems constituencies present to legislators. Develop responses from the University to legislative and state agency questions and concerns.

Guide the University President and other key member of the University in cultivating appropriate relationships with key members of the Indiana Administration and General Assembly. In cultivating such relationships, work closely with the President’s Office to coordinate calendars, events and meetings.

Attend all meetings of the Board of Trustees; serve parliamentarian for the Board.

Primary contact for Public Information Requests and responses.

Participate in Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s credit rating calls.

Participate in bond issuance process.

Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge and Skills

Law degree; Masters/Juris Doctorate (JD) from an accredited law school. Must be licensed to practice in Indiana.

Five years’ experience with increasing levels of responsibility preferably in higher education, with the ability to demonstrate a working knowledge and understanding of state and/or federal legislative process and legal issues.

Strong supervisory and managerial skills.

Demonstrated experience in a position requiring the use of analytical skills, including the ability to organize, interpret, integrate and present data in a clear and concise fashion.

Knowledge of major areas of law and issues affecting higher education organizations including contracts, construction and real estate law, licensing, compliance and regulatory issues, privacy and data protection, intellectual property, employment and athletics.

Excellent communication skills, oral and written, for a wide variety of administrative and legislative-related functions. Strong relationship building, collaboration and interpersonal skills are necessary.

High ethical standards with a strong moral compass, integrity and perseverance.

Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Working Relationships

Reports directly to the President of the University.

Works closely with University leadership staff and faculty.

Supervises the Institutional Equity Office.

Functional Requirements

Remaining in a stationary position at a desk or workstation for extended periods of time for the majority of assigned duties.

Physical access to meetings, presentations and events that occur at on-campus sites such as meeting rooms and at various sites throughout the state.

Extensive physical movement during some events to make presentations and to interact with attendees.

Ability to use computers and computer systems (hardware and software) to set up functions, to enter data, to retrieve and process information and to create documents.

Retrieval of information from written documents and from computer-generated reports.

Effective problem solving and achieving critical outcomes, even under demanding conditions such as multiple priorities and short-notice deadlines.

The presentation of a consistently professional demeanor always, even in difficult, negative, frustrating, or legally sensitive situations such as when handling complaints from students, parents, staff, faculty, or members of the community.

Ability to clearly focus and communicate legislative language.

Knowledge of lobbying rules and compliance requirements.

Knowledge and understanding of local, state and federal legislative and executive processes, including budget and appropriations.

Knowledge of higher education bill tracking systems and related legislative platforms.

Ability to differentiate high priority or impact issues verses those that may not have any direct effect on the University. Ability to analyze and recommend courses of action proposed by this individual influence University-wide direction.

Ability to function independently and in a non-partisan manner in the context of interpersonal/political relations and protocols.

Clear and concise verbal and written communication skills, along with interpersonal communication skills appropriate to cultivating productive relationships.

Ability to travel locally, regionally, domestically and abroad, as necessary, to cultivate University relationships.

Standard Work Hours and Travel

Standard office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm. when the state legislature is not in session.

Irregular hours including weekends and nights may be required. During the legislative session must be on-call to attend various legislative meetings at any time of day or night.

About USI

The University of Southern Indiana is a public higher education institution located on a beautiful 1,400-acre campus in Evansville, IN. We offer employees exceptional benefits! Benefits for this position include:

Affordable medical, dental, vision, life and short term and long-term disability insurance plans.
Retirement plan where the University makes the total contribution equivalent to 11% of annual salary.
Full tuition fee waiver for employees/75% for spouses and dependent children.
Vacation and sick time
Holiday pay
Free access to Recreation, Fitness & Wellness Center.
Access to on-campus University Health Center and Dental Hygiene Clinic.

Please visit our Benefits Highlights for more information on the amazing benefits available!

Application Process

Click “Apply Now!” near the top right of this page to complete an application and upload application materials to the attention of the Search Committee Chair. Application materials should include:

Letter of Interest
Current Curriculum Vitae
At least three references with full contact information including email addresses. (References will not be contacted without consent from the applicant.)

Search Committee Chair

If you have questions about the open position, please contact Kindra Strupp, search committee chair, at kstrupp@usi.edu.

Best Consideration Date

For best consideration, please submit materials by August 7, 2025.

Pre-Employment Screening

A background check will be required for employment in this position.

Authorization to Work in the United States

USI typically will not sponsor an employment-related visa for this position.

Interview Accommodations

Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please contact Hannah Perigo at (812) 465-7115. Contacting the Hannah Perigo is intended for use in seeking disability-related accommodations only. For general applicant inquiries, contact Human Resources at HumanRes@usi.edu or (812) 464-1815.

EEO Statement

USI is an Equal Opportunity Employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities

Advertised: Jul 15 2025 Central Daylight Time
Application close: