Director of Legal

Position Summary:

The Director of Legal is a licensed attorney responsible for supporting the development and execution of the College’s legal function. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Legal and Compliance, this role provides legal counsel to institutional leadership, supports governance and legal operations, and coordinates with external counsel on legislative, regulatory, and legal matters. The position delivers practical, risk-informed legal guidance while helping build scalable legal infrastructure aligned with institutional strategy. This role offers the opportunity to help shape and mature a growing in-house legal function within a highly regulated higher education environment.

Role and Responsibilities:

• Provide legal advice and analysis to leadership and collaborators on institutional initiatives, operational decisions, and regulatory interpretation.
• Deliver attorney-client privileged guidance consistent with ethical obligations and applicable law.
• Assist in building and maturing the College’s internal legal function, including workflows, templates, governance practices, and legal review processes.
• Review institutional communications, policies, and initiatives through a legal risk lens while maintaining clear functional ownership of policy development.
• Draft legal correspondence, demand letters, and other legal communications as appropriate.
• Coordinate with external counsel on legal, legislative, and regulatory matters, ensuring effective internal alignment and preparation.
• Provide legal guidance on institutional contract strategy and risk considerations in collaboration with Procurement and other institutional functions.
• Oversee legal intake and response processes for subpoenas, record requests, and legal holds in coordination with relevant functions.
• Support legislative and regulatory initiatives by providing legal analysis and collaboration with internal and external partners.
• Partner with Compliance, Title IV, and Legislative and Regulatory Affairs functions to ensure legal interpretation informs institutional strategy while maintaining distinct role boundaries.
• Assist in developing scalable legal infrastructure, documentation standards, and knowledge management practices to support organizational growth.
• Supervise and mentor assigned staff, including the Contract Specialist and administrative personnel supporting legal operations.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the legal function and institutional priorities.

Qualifications and Education Requirements:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school required.
• Active license to practice law and in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar required.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of legal experience, preferably including higher education, healthcare, employment law, regulatory law, legislative affairs, or complex organizational advising.
• Experience providing practical legal guidance within a regulated environment strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with contract law, legal risk analysis, and collaboration with external counsel.
• Familiarity with subpoena response processes, legal correspondence, and governance practices preferred.
• Strong professional judgment, discretion, and ability to maintain attorney-client privilege.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into practical operational guidance.
• Ability to collaborate across institutional functions, influence decision-making, and support leadership in navigating legal risk.

All new hires are required to attend New Collaborator Orientation (NCO) in Salt Lake City, Utah. The College will cover travel, lodging, and other accommodations.

Nightingale’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected both in our learners and collaborators because we believe the best outcomes for learners from underserved and diverse populations are achieved through collaborators with similar backgrounds and cultures. Nightingale Education Group is an equal opportunity employer.

Our Mission (not just words on the wall, we live it, love it, and daily contribute to it): With the primary focus on higher learning in healthcare professions, Nightingale Education Group contributes to elevating education, health, and employment systems through facilitation of academic achievement, personal growth, and professional development of its learners, alumni, and collaborators, while serving diverse communities.

At Nightingale Education Group, our Innovative Education model helps transform rural health landscapes through our blended-distance learning platform. Every person involved with Nightingale Education Group helps to change the lives of our learners, our communities, and ultimately the world by adding to the quality of healthcare. We are proud to have graduated nearly 5,000 nurses serving communities in need. We are serious about our outcomes and have a little bit of fun getting there.

The professional and personal development of our learners and our collaborators is our company’s foundation. Not only do we develop strategies that promote a positive work-life integration, but we also create an environment that invites you to become an expert in your field, be it through higher education or professional development. Put simply, we elevate employment, elevate health, and elevate education. We’re so happy that you’ve found us!

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check and drug screen.