General Counsel

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Education (EOE) works to connect all Massachusetts residents with an education that creates opportunities. While Massachusetts' students rank first in the nation on many educational measures, the Executive Office of Education strives to strengthen the foundations of education reform, empower schools and educators, and develop pathways to college and careers so all students in the Commonwealth can succeed, regardless of their zip code.

The Executive Office of Education (EOE) is committed to equity and valuing the unique and diverse characteristics and experiences of every member of its workforce. We encourage an authentic workplace where colleagues show up as their full selves, and collaboration, innovation, and connections are key to realizing our mission that all children, youth, and families thrive socially, academically, and economically. We seek teammates who are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive work environment where everyone is valued and engaged.

We encourage you to apply and identify your strengths in these areas.

About the Role

The Executive Office of Education (EOE) seeks to hire a General Counsel to join its team. The General Counsel serves as a member of Senior Staff to provide legal guidance and support for all matters related to EOE's functions. The General Counsel supports the Secretary of Education and EOE Senior Staff in the development and coordination of education policy, and provides verbal and written legal advice, as necessary.

The General Counsel also serves as the primary legal liaison to the Governor's Legal Office and coordinates with legal and policy staff of EOE's agencies: the Department of Early Education and Care, Children’s Trust, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Department of Higher Education.

Reporting directly to the Secretary of Education, the General Counsel will participate in negotiating and approving contracts, agreements, and memoranda of understanding between EOE and other governmental and private entities. The General Counsel serves as the Secretariat’s legal representative for disputes or lawsuits, including coordination with the Office of the Attorney General or other investigatory agencies in the event of litigation or an internal investigation.

The General Counsel collaborates with the Undersecretary/Chief of Staff to provide input into setting agency priorities and performance strategies and participates in strategy sessions with senior managers.

The General Counsel provides leadership, strategic policy, and operational planning, legal analysis, and quality control to assist EOE and the agencies under EOE’s umbrella, in carrying out its legal duties, as well as providing direct legal advice and assistance to Children's Trust.

The General Counsel will provide leadership, high-level legal recommendations, and support to advance the Secretary’s strategic initiatives relating to education. Through frequent and direct interaction with the Secretary, Undersecretaries, as well as senior leadership at the Executive Office of Education, the Board of Early Education and Care, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Board of Higher Education, the Children’s Trust Board of Directors, Governor’s Office, and other agencies, the General Counsel develops, negotiates, communicates, and executes strategies to advance and defend state education policies.

The General Counsel serves as chief legal counsel to the Secretary of Education and office personnel, overseeing the legal work of the Executive Office and serving as a thought partner on policy decisions.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensuring EOE’s compliance with all statutory and legal obligations, including those related to personnel and procurement.

• Overseeing EOE’s response to public records requests.

• Serving as the liaison to the General Counsels of EOE’s constituent agencies (the Department of Higher Education, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Department of Early Education and Care), the Governor’s Office of Legal Counsel, and the Attorney General’s Office.

• Overseeing and coordinating…