Associate General Counsel (Athletics) (10008378)

Position Summary:

Vanderbilt University is seeking an Associate
General Counsel to join the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) and provide legal advice to Vanderbilt University, principally supporting
the strategic and operational needs of the Vanderbilt University Athletics Department. The Associate General Counsel will have primary or
shared responsibility for a variety of related issues including but not limited to: reviewing, drafting, and negotiating agreements related
to competitions, sponsorships/commercial partnership, naming rights, facility use, vendors, media rights, and coach and staff employment;
advising on university policy, NCAA, and SEC rules to ensure alignment; counseling on student-athlete related issues, including name, image,
and likeness (NIL) activities; managing an active litigation docket, including responding to discovery requests, and supervising outside
counsel on litigation matters; and monitoring evolving legislation and legal matters that may affect collegiate athletics. Depending on the
successful candidate’s experience and interest and the needs of the university, the Associate General Counsel may also provide advice and
counsel on other issues to support additional areas of the university.

The Associate General Counsel will have a responsibility to:

• Support the university’s strategic and operational goals, in particular with respect to the evolving landscape of Division I
  collegiate athletics.
• Work independently and as part of a team to effectively manage multiple highly sensitive and urgent legal
  matters with competing and overlapping deadlines, and timely communicate matter status and updates.
• Protect the university’s short-
  and long-term interests by ensuring that actions taken by or on the behalf of the university comply with university policies and federal,
  state, and local laws or regulations.
• Utilize creative problem-solving techniques and excellent oral and written communication
  skills to contribute to the highly collaborative working environment within the OGC and across the university.

About
the Work Unit:

The OGC provides legal advice to university departments with an awareness of the nuances of client
business priorities and with understanding of university business practices. The OGC is committed to agile service delivery aligned with the
university’s mission, priorities, and needs. All litigation proceedings are managed by the OGC on behalf of the
university.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

1. Provides clear and practical legal advice to
   university and departmental leadership;
2. Demonstrates strong analytical and counseling skills, judgment, and
   empathy;
3. Demonstrates excellent written and verbal communication skills, including strong contract-drafting and negotiation skills
   on a level of parity with sophisticated outside counsel;
4. Manages litigation matters, including coordinating with outside counsel and
   responding to subpoenas and other discovery requests;
5. Is knowledgeable of and maintains awareness of new legal and regulatory
   developments at the federal and state level to provide counsel on the shifting legal and regulatory landscape;
6. Advises on and
   develop university processes and policies, and serves as legal advisor to work groups, committees, and other related bodies as
   assigned;
7. Understand and manage risk and compliance issues, collaborating as appropriate with University Compliance Services (UCS)
   and Risk & Insurance Management (RIM);
8. Collaborate with university officials, offices, and departments to develop and provide legal
   education and support to the Vanderbilt community;
9. Engage and manage outside counsel as needed to represent Vanderbilt University;
10. Pursue professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest
    developments in college and university law and in other related matters; and
11. Perform similar or related duties as assigned or
    required in an evolving environment.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position does not have formal
supervisory responsibility but may work closely with and mentor junior attorneys and law clerks.

Education and
Certifications:

• A juris doctorate is required, and the Associate General Counsel must be licensed in the State of
  Tennessee or eligible for licensure within twelve months of hire.

Experience and skills the ideal candidate will possess
include:

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in the practice of law and a demonstrated ability to
  function independently in relevant subject matters;
• Ability to identify, analyze, and explain legal issues in a clear, timely, and
  thorough way to senior university administrators;
• Experience with collegiate or professional athletics is strongly preferred,
  including a working knowledge of the financial and operational goals of a D1 collegiate athletics program;
• Prior experience working
  with sports agents/managers;
• Advanced oral and written communications skills and the ability to work rapidly and collaboratively
  while providing exceptional service to campus partners;
• Willingness to learn new areas of law, or to apply prior legal practice to a
  higher education environment;
• Experience in regulatory analysis, and a strong understanding of NCAA regulations and compliance
  requirements;
• Demonstrated ability to navigate a large, complex organization, including excellent interpersonal and collaboration
  skills;
• Strong critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and strategic ability; and
• Proficiency with common technology for
  document creation and management.

*Requirements*

• Applicants must
  reside in, or be willing to relocate to, the greater Nashville, Tennessee area
• A cover letter outlining relevent experience and
  interest in the position
• A current resume
• Selected candidates may be asked to provide a writing sample during the interview
  process

Required Skills

• Business Acumen – VU
• Contract Negotiation – VU
• Investigation –
  VU
• Legal Analysis – VU
• Legal Research – VU
• Legal Writing – VU
• Litigation Management – VU
• Process Improvement – VU
• Risk Analysis – VU
• Stakeholder Management – VU

About Us

At
Vanderbilt University , our work – regardless of title or
role – is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming
lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+
acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is
proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan
area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that
strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to
work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you
might become a part of our story.

Vanderbilt 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, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Job Info

• Job Identification
  10008378
• Posting Date 05/29/2026, 02:55 PM
• Locations Nashville, TN, United States (Hybrid)
• Job Schedule
  Full time
• Job Category Legal, Risk & Compliance
• Job Function Legal
• Management Level Individual Contributor
  4

Tagged as: Employment