General Counsel - Growing Financial Institution

About the Opportunity

A leading and growing financial services institution is seeking an experienced General Counsel & Corporate Secretary to serve as a key strategic advisor to executive leadership. This role will oversee the organization's legal function, corporate governance framework, and enterprise risk management initiatives while supporting continued growth across a diversified financial services platform.

The successful candidate will partner closely with senior executives and business leaders to provide practical legal guidance, support strategic decision-making, manage legal and regulatory risk, and maintain strong governance practices across the enterprise.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the principal legal advisor to executive leadership on corporate, regulatory, governance, employment, contractual, and business matters.
• Provide practical, business-oriented legal counsel that balances risk management with commercial objectives.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements, strategic partnerships, vendor contracts, employment-related agreements, confidentiality agreements, and other business documentation.
• Lead corporate governance and corporate secretary functions, including board support, entity management, resolutions, policies, and corporate record maintenance.
• Support board and committee meetings through preparation of materials, governance documentation, and follow-up actions.
• Maintain corporate records and oversee legal entity management, including annual filings, regulatory requirements, and corporate maintenance activities.
• Partner with compliance and business leaders on regulatory matters and enterprise risk management initiatives.
• Advise on employment law matters, internal investigations, policy development, and workplace compliance issues.
• Manage relationships with outside counsel and external service providers.
• Support mergers, acquisitions, strategic initiatives, business expansion efforts, and corporate restructuring activities.
• Identify legal and regulatory risks and develop practical mitigation strategies.
• Enhance internal governance processes, legal policies, and contract management practices.
• Provide guidance on data privacy, cybersecurity, intellectual property, marketing, and related business matters.
• Oversee litigation, disputes, regulatory inquiries, and other legal proceedings as necessary.
• Foster a culture of compliance, integrity, accountability, and sound corporate governance.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.
• 8 years of relevant legal experience, ideally including a combination of law firm and in-house experience.
• Experience supporting organizations within financial services, banking, asset management, wealth management, insurance, real estate, or other regulated industries.
• Strong knowledge of corporate governance, commercial contracts, employment law, regulatory compliance, litigation management, and risk mitigation.
• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic legal counsel to executive leadership and senior stakeholders.
• Exceptional drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and complex matters in a fast-paced environment.
• High level of professionalism, business judgment, discretion, and integrity.

Preferred Attributes

• Executive presence and strong stakeholder management skills.
• Strategic, solutions-oriented mindset with the ability to operate both strategically and tactically.
• Strong business acumen and commercial awareness.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across diverse business functions.
• Entrepreneurial approach and comfort working within a dynamic, growth-oriented environment.
• Commitment to excellence, sound judgment, and strong governance practices.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive executive compensation package, including bonus potential.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Retirement savings and financial planning programs.
• Flexible and collaborative work environment.
• Opportunity to work directly with senior leadership and influence enterprise-wide strategy.
• Significant visibility and impact within a growing financial services organization.