Chief Legal Officer

The Chief Legal Officer (CLO) is the head of the corporate legal department and is responsible for the legal affairs of the entire organization. The position reports to the CEO, and provides support to the board of directors and other senior management. The CLO must possess strong initiative, as well as excellent management and leadership skills and strong business acumen.

Duties to include:

• Developing and leading the corporate legal strategy to promote and protect the organization’s business.

• Working across the business to provide deep legal expertise structuring financial transactions especially in the areas of financial services or capital markets, credit rating or regulatory compliance.

• Supporting the negotiation, drafting, and review of contracts.

• Developing and leading internal audit and corporate compliance programs.

• Overseeing the delivery of legal services and resources to accomplish organizational goals, strategies, and priorities.

• Maintaining proper organizational interactions with the relevant local, state, and federal governmental bodies, legislatures, and the community at large.

• Advising the CEO and other senior leaders on a variety of issues.

• Participating in the formulation of general management policy as a member of the executive management team.

• Developing and implementing legal training for employees.

• Coordinating and managing outside counsel.

• Providing support for company-wide legal initiatives.

• Managing members of the legal department.

• Keeping abreast of legal developments, particularly those affecting the financial services, lending, and the CDFI industry.

Key Competencies and Abilities

• Strong business judgement, influence, leadership, and integrity are essential for this role.

• Possess a high level of moral and ethical principles that will promote the value of a compliance culture throughout the organization.

• Breadth of experience and proficiency in drafting and negotiating complex corporate transactions.

• Proven ability to effectively select, oversee and manage outside counsel for cost efficient litigation and dispute resolution to achieve identified business objectives and results.

• Excellent ability to anticipate and mitigate risk.

• Demonstrated ability to strike sensible and practical balance between legal risks and the need to do business.

• Given the amount and variety of regulatory and corporate activity, the evolving culture as a result of continuous growth, and the lean staffing at AOF/OF, the CLO will need to be very hands-on and responsive to a broad range of legal and non-legal activities that the organization requires.

• Ability to effectively manage and develop staff.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

• Ability to synthesize information, exercise sound judgement, make decisions, and render advice in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines and competing priorities.

• Ability to work independently, multi-task and prioritize workflow based on the company’s priorities and strategic goals.

• Ability to function as team player, collaborating with colleagues, clients, and business leaders to further the company’s strategic objectives.

• Ability to interact diplomatically and persuasively with employees at all levels.

Education and Experience

• 10 plus years of major law firm and/or in-house practice experience is required.

• J.D. from an accredited US law school. A combination of education and experience may be considered.

• Legal experience in the areas of corporate law as well as commercial lending is a plus.

• Deep legal expertise structuring financial transactions preferably with financial services, credit rating or capital markets experience.

• Regulatory compliance and Privacy law experience preferred.

• Active member in good standing of at least one state bar and willingness to register as in-house counsel in California if required.

• Must be willing to travel up to 25%.

Perks & Benefits:

Our mission is what motivates us to come to work each day. We know that happy employees are productive employees, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

• An environment that values work-life balance.

• 100% company-funded Medical, Dental, Vision, Life & Disability coverage for employees. Family coverage is also available.

• Tax deferred & Roth 403(B) retirement plan with employer contribution.

• Paid vacation (increased with tenure), holiday, sick, and family leave days

To Apply:

Interested candidates should email a resume and thoughtful cover letter by clicking Apply to this Job below and mentioning you heard about this job on GoInhouse.com

Diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

Opportunity Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer.