Corporate Secretary to the Board of Governors & Trustees

Job Category

Staff & Executive – Legal

Overview

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national research university and the State of New Jersey’s preeminent public institution of higher education. As one of the largest employers in the State, Rutgers is committed to advancing excellence in teaching, research, and public service while maintaining the highest standards of governance, transparency, and institutional integrity.

Posting Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Corporate Secretary to the Board of Governors & Trustees for the President’s Office.

The Corporate Secretary to the Boards of Governors and Trustees serves as the University’s principal governance officer, responsible for ensuring the lawful, ethical, and procedurally sound operation of the governing boards. This role safeguards institutional continuity by overseeing board governance processes, official records, fiduciary compliance, and adherence to applicable laws, bylaws, and policies.

Reporting directly to the Boards of Governors and Trustees and Chief of Staff to the President, and working in close coordination with the Associate Secretary, the Corporate Secretary provides executive-level leadership over all aspects of board governance, compliance, and institutional accountability.

This role ensures that all board activities are conducted within established governance frameworks and that board actions are properly documented, executed, and preserved in accordance with legal and fiduciary requirements. The Corporate Secretary serves as the authoritative custodian of governance processes and institutional records.

Among the key duties of the position are the following:

• Serves as the principal governance officer to the Boards of Governors and Trustees, ensuring the integrity, legality, and consistency of all board operations.
• Establishes, maintains, and enforces governance processes governing board meetings, committees, resolutions, and official actions.
• Ensures compliance with applicable federal and state laws, University bylaws, regulations, and fiduciary obligations.
• Provides authoritative guidance on governance structure, fiduciary duties, conflicts of interest, ethics policies, and board procedures.
• Oversees the preparation, accuracy, and preservation of all official board records, including agendas, minutes, resolutions, and governance documentation.
• Certifies official board actions and maintains custody of institutional governance records as the official corporate repository.
• Provides governance review and approval for board materials to ensure procedural compliance and alignment with bylaws and policy requirements.
• Coordinates closely with the Associate Secretary to ensure that strategic priorities and operational initiatives are executed within proper governance frameworks.
• Advises board leadership and senior administration on governance risks, regulatory considerations, and procedural requirements.
• Ensures that board decisions are properly documented, executed, and implemented in accordance with approved governance protocols.
• Maintains institutional continuity and governance stability during leadership transitions or periods of institutional complexity.
• Supports board elections, appointments, onboarding, and governance education programs.
• Engages with internal and external stakeholders on matters of governance, compliance, and institutional accountability.

FLSA: Exempt

Grade: 11

Minimum Salary: 165269.000

Mid Range Salary: 209187.000

Maximum Salary: 253104.000

Offer Information

The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university’s broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Benefits

Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs

Position Status: Full Time

Standard Hours: 37.50

Daily Work Shift: Day

Work Arrangement

Consistent with the current application of Rutgers Policy 60.3.22 or the applicable provisions of relevant collective negotiations agreements, this position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Flexible work arrangements are not permanent, subject to change or discontinuation, and contingent on the employee receiving approval in the FlexWork@RU Application System.

Union Description: Admin Assembly (MPSC)

Payroll Designation: PeopleSoft

Terms of Appointment: Staff – 12 month

Position Pension Eligibility: ABP

Minimum Education and Experience

• Juris Doctor (JD) required.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in governance, legal administration, compliance, or higher education administration.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Deep understanding of governance principles, fiduciary responsibility, and institutional compliance frameworks.
• Strong knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies governing public higher education institutions.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to procedural integrity and accuracy.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in interpreting governance rules and institutional policies.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to advise senior leaders on complex governance matters.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive institutional information with discretion.
• Experience operating within complex organizational and governance structures.
• Experience serving as a corporate secretary, general counsel advisor, or senior governance officer in a higher education or public institution.

Posting Open Date: 07/31/2026

Regional Campus: Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Home Location Campus: College Ave (RU-New Brunswick)

City

New Brunswick

State

NJ

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