Senior Legal & Compliance Counsel - Financial Services Instiution

Overview

A rapidly expanding financial services institution is seeking a Senior Legal & Compliance Counsel to serve as their executive responsible for all legal, regulatory, and enterprise compliance functions. The Senior Legal & Compliance Counsel will serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and the board of directors, while overseeing legal strategy, compliance program management, risk mitigation, and interactions with regulatory bodies.

• Oversee all legal matters related to consumer lending, including lending regulations, licensing, product counseling, governance, contract negotiation, and risk management.
• Advise executives and the board on legal risks, regulatory trends, and strategic initiatives involving consumer credit products and operational processes.
• Manage relationships with external counsel and ensure efficient, business-aligned support.
• Review marketing, disclosures, credit policies, underwriting models, and servicing practices for regulatory compliance.

Lead and continuously enhance the enterprise compliance management system (CMS) aligned with consumer lending requirements.

Ensure full compliance with applicable consumer lending laws and regulations, including (as relevant):

• Truth in Lending Act (TILA)
• Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA)
• Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA)
• Military Lending Act (MLA)
• UDAAP standards
• Serve as the primary point of contact for regulators, examiners, and licensing authorities.
• Oversee internal compliance monitoring, testing, and audit readiness.
• Develop and maintain company policies, training, and compliance reporting frameworks.
• Identify regulatory and legal risks related to consumer lending operations and implement processes for mitigation.
• Provide regular legal and compliance reporting to the board and relevant committees.
• Partner with product, operations, risk, technology, and finance to ensure regulatory requirements are embedded in lending practices.

• Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing legal and compliance team.
• Establish scalable processes, frameworks, and systems to support organizational growth.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to align compliance and legal strategy with business objectives.

• 5-10+ years of legal and compliance experience in consumer lending/finance, banking, financial services, or closely related regulatory environments.
• Deep understanding of federal and state consumer lending laws and compliance requirements
• Experience implementing and overseeing a compliance management system within a regulated financial services environment.
• JD from an accredited law school; active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Strong background advising senior leaders on regulatory risk and legal strategy.

• Strategic thinker with strong judgment and a practical, business-oriented approach.
• Exceptional communication skills and comfort operating as an executive-level advisor.
• High integrity, sound ethics, and a commitment to fostering a culture of compliance.
• Collaborative leader capable of influencing across the organization.