CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG BOARD OF EDUCATION EXECUTIVE LEVEL RECRUITER – CHIEF OF LEGAL, COMPLIANCE AND ADVOCACY

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI): 163-041026GB
CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG BOARD OF EDUCATION
EXECUTIVE LEVEL RECRUITER - CHIEF OF LEGAL,
COMPLIANCE AND ADVOCACY
Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools is seeking proposals for Executive Level Recruiting
specializing in Legal/General Counsel Services, Compliance and Legislative Advocacy
Proposals will be received by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Board of Education 600 E. Fourth
Street, Charlotte, NC 28202 until 12pm, April 16, 2026
Submittals are required to be emailed to: stacie1.moseley@cms.k12.nc.us

Chief Legal, Compliance, and Advocacy
Officer (CLCAO)
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS)
Position Overview
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools stands at a defining moment in the evolution of public
education.
Across the nation, public school systems are navigating a rapidly shifting landscape shaped by
expanding school choice models, increased regulatory complexity, heightened public scrutiny,
and the growing demand for transparency, accountability, and measurable outcomes. The
traditional operating model of education is no longer sufficient to meet the expectations of
students, families, educators, and communities.
The Chief Legal, Compliance, and Advisory Officer (CLCAO) is a forward-facing executive role
designed to strengthen the Board of Education's ability to govern with clarity, confidence, and
strategic foresight. This role ensures that as the system evolves, it does so within a disciplined
framework of legal integrity, regulatory compliance, ethical leadership, and proactive advisory
support.
This is not a traditional legal role.
It is a governance-enabling role that operates at the intersection of:
* Law
* Compliance
* Policy
* Legislative Advocacy
* Strategic advisory
* System risk and accountability
The CLCAO serves as a trusted advisor to the Board of Education, helping translate complexity
into clarity, risk into strategy, and obligation into opportunity

Purpose of the Role
To ensure that Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools evolves as a legally sound, ethically grounded,
and strategically aligned public education system, capable of navigating modern challenges
while preserving public trust and advancing student outcomes.
This role exists to:
* Elevate governance decision-making
* Protect the integrity of the institution
* Anticipate and mitigate risk before it becomes crisis
* Align legal and regulatory frameworks with the future direction of education
Reporting Structure
The position reports directly to the Board of Education.
Responsibilities may include:
1. Governance Advisory and Board Support
* Serve as the Board's primary advisor on legal, compliance, and governance matters
* Translate complex legal and regulatory issues into clear, actionable guidance
* Support policy development aligned with long-term strategic priorities
* Ensure Board decisions are grounded in legal integrity and governance best practice
2. Legal Strategy and Oversight
* Oversee all legal matters impacting the district, including litigation, contracts, and risk
exposure
* Provide proactive legal strategy, not just reactive counsel
* Ensure alignment between legal positioning and the district's long-term direction
* Manage external legal partnerships and counsel
3. Enterprise Compliance and Accountability
* Design and implement a comprehensive compliance framework across the district

* Ensure adherence to federal, state, and local regulations
* Establish monitoring systems, reporting mechanisms, and accountability structures
* Provide the Board with clear visibility into compliance health and risks
4. Risk Identification and Mitigation
* Identify emerging risks across legal, operational, reputational, and policy domains
* Develop proactive strategies to mitigate risk before escalation
* Establish enterprise risk management practices aligned with system priorities
5. Policy and Advocacy Alignment
* Monitor and interpret legislative and policy developments impacting public education
* Advise the Board on implications of policy shifts, including charter expansion, vouchers,
and funding models
* Support alignment between governance strategy and external advocacy efforts
6. Ethical Leadership and Institutional Integrity
* Promote a culture of ethics, transparency, and accountability
* Ensure that decisions reflect both legal compliance and moral responsibility
* Serve as a steward of public trust
7. Strategic Advisory on the Evolution of Education
* Advise the Board on how legal, regulatory, and policy trends are shaping the future of
public education
* Provide insight into how shifts such as school choice, accountability models, and funding
structures impact CMS
* Ensure governance decisions position CMS to remain competitive, relevant, and student-
centered
Key Competencies and Leadership Traits
* Strategic Thinker - Sees beyond immediate issues to long-term implications

* Translator of Complexity - Makes the complex clear and actionable
* Courageous Advisor - Willing to provide honest, unfiltered guidance
* Systems-Oriented Leader - Understands the interconnected nature of governance,
operations, and community impact
* Integrity-Driven - Anchored in ethics and accountability
* Calm Under Pressure - Brings clarity in moments of uncertainty
Experience and Qualifications
* Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited institution
* Licensed to practice law in North Carolina (or ability to obtain)
* Minimum 10-15 years of senior legal, compliance, or governance experience
* Experience advising executive leadership or governing boards
* Demonstrated success in complex, multi-stakeholder environments
* Experience in public sector, education, healthcare, or similarly regulated industries
preferred