Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel

POSITION SUMMARY

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) seeks a highly experienced legal executive to serve as its next Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel (CLO/GC). Reporting directly to the Commissioner, the CLO/GC will serve as the Conference’s chief legal advisor, providing guidance across all aspects of operations, governance, compliance, and strategic initiatives. This is a senior leadership role at the intersection of law, higher education, business, and collegiate athletics, requiring a proactive, solutions-oriented individual. The CLO/GC will advise the Commissioner, senior leadership, and member institutions on a broad array of high-profile, complex issues, including media rights agreements, antitrust law, labor and employment matters, matters related to existing legal settlements, guidance during ongoing national litigation, intellectual property, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) activity, and compliance with federal and state regulations. The ideal candidate is someone who thrives in a fast-paced, year-round environment, builds credibility and trust quickly across multiple stakeholder groups, prioritizes and drives initiatives to resolution, and possesses the intellectual curiosity and strategic insight to continuously learn and navigate the evolving landscape of college athletics. This role provides the opportunity to shape the SEC’s legal and business strategy at a time of significant transformation in college sports, positioning the Conference for continued national leadership and long-term stability.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the primary legal advisor to the Commissioner, SEC Presidents and Chancellors, and other stakeholder groups, as well as Conference governing committees, providing expert guidance on complex regulatory, governance, and business matters.

• Anticipate and evaluate emerging legal and regulatory trends in college athletics, proactively advising Conference leadership on associated risks, challenges, and opportunities.

• Provide business-minded legal counsel, ensuring that decisions balance legal prudence with strategic alignment to the Conference’s objectives.

• Advise on innovative commercial partnerships and strategic business initiatives to support the SEC’s revenue, brand, and operational priorities.

• Serve as a trusted advisor and collaborator, balancing the interests of the Commissioner, Presidents and Chancellors, member institutions, and external partners.

• Draft, review, and negotiate complex agreements, including media rights, licensing, sponsorships, postseason football, and vendor contracts.

• Provide legal guidance on employment matters, consultant agreements, and other arrangements affecting Conference staff, coaches, and stakeholders.

• Ensure compliance with national rules, Conference policies, and applicable federal and state laws.

• Navigate the evolving legal landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), providing guidance on state legislation, legal settlements, and Conference policies to protect and advance the SEC’s interests.

• Lead and coordinate litigation strategy on behalf of the SEC.

• Manage relationships with outside counsel, ensuring high-quality representation.

• Advise on risk mitigation strategies and legal exposure across the Conference’s activities, offering clear guidance on priorities and time-sensitive issues.

• Advise the Commissioner and Conference leadership on corporate governance best practices and policy development.

• Establish strong relationships with institutional general counsels to ensure consistent and effective legal and regulatory strategies across the Conference.

• Build credibility and trust quickly, developing strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and a commitment to ongoing learning by staying current on developments in college athletics, sports law, antitrust, labor and employment law, and emerging business models.

• Develop expertise in the SEC’s operations, stakeholders, and culture to provide informed, credible, and timely counsel.

• Prioritize effectively, manage multiple high-stakes projects simultaneously, and drive initiatives to successful completion.

This position description is not, and is not intended to be, an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position and may be updated and revised at any time at the discretion of the Commissioner or his designee.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and active bar membership. Advanced degrees or professional certifications are a plus.

• Extensive legal experience (typically 12+ years), in higher education, collegiate athletics, professional sports, or high-profile organizations, including senior executive experience.

• Demonstrated expertise in complex legal matters.

• Strong business acumen, with the ability to integrate legal strategy into operational and commercial decision-making.

• Proven ability to advise senior executives, boards, and multiple stakeholder groups with credibility, strategic insight, and sound judgment.

• Exceptional negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and influence diverse constituencies.

• A collaborative spirit, capable of building consensus across university presidents, athletic directors, coaches, media partners, student-athletes, and governing bodies.

• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, resource, and execute initiatives in a complex, year-round operational environment.

• Intellectual curiosity and a commitment to ongoing learning, including mastery of evolving college athletics regulatory frameworks.

• Forward-looking and solutions-oriented, able to anticipate challenges, provide strategic guidance, and drive initiatives that advance the SEC’s interests.

• Key characteristics include high emotional intelligence, ethical leadership, and a commitment to fostering respectful, and values-driven environments.

• Commit to the SEC’s core values of integrity, excellence, and innovation in all interactions.

• Proven capacity to delegate effectively, act as both a leader and a team member, and deliver results.

• Exceptional communicator with the ability to convey complex ideas with precision, diplomacy, and presence. Must be able to represent the SEC with credibility on national platforms.

• A forward-looking leader who anticipates the evolving needs of collegiate athletics and proactively contributes to the SEC’s strategic direction.

• Ability to exercise discerning judgment, decision-making and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to deal with ambiguity and resolve conflict with diverse constituents.

Application Process

The SEC invites nominations, applications, or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting the Conference. Applications must include a cover letter, resume or curriculum vitae, and list of references. For full consideration, application materials should be submitted to Parker Executive Search’s website by Wednesday, October 15th, 2025. A confidential review of materials will begin immediately and continue until an appointment is made.

For additional information, please contact:

Daniel Parker, Vice President and Managing Director

DeLaina Sarden, Principal

Khristian Carr, Executive Recruiting Coordinator

danielparker@parkersearch.com | dsarden@parkersearch.com

Parker Executive Search

770-804-1996 ext. 116 | 770-804-1996 ext. 119

The Southeastern Conference is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse work environment.