Associate General Counsel

NinjaHoldings•Chicago, IL

1d•$200,000 - $240,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate General Counsel will serve as a senior leader within the Legal Department and a trusted advisor to senior management and business leaders across the organization. This role will have broad responsibility for advising on the Company's consumer financial products and services, regulatory matters, litigation, strategic initiatives, commercial relationships, and enterprise legal risk. The ideal candidate will bring substantial in-house experience in online consumer lending or fintech and a deep understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to consumer financial products. This individual must be comfortable operating with significant independence, exercising sound judgment on complex and high-impact matters, and translating legal requirements into practical solutions that enable the business to achieve its objectives while appropriately managing risk. The Associate General Counsel will work closely with Legal leadership in establishing legal strategy and priorities, leading significant legal initiatives, and supporting the continued development of the Legal function. The role requires someone who can move seamlessly between strategic counseling and hands-on execution and who is prepared to assume responsibility for significant legal matters across the organization.

Requirements

J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and active membership in good standing in at least one U.S. state bar
At least 10 years of relevant legal experience, including at least five years of in-house legal experience with an online consumer lender, fintech, bank, or other company offering consumer credit products. Direct experience in online consumer lending is strongly preferred
Significant experience advising on consumer lending products and the federal and state laws governing consumer financial services, including experience advising product and business teams on the development, implementation, and ongoing operation of regulated financial products
Experience with regulatory examinations, investigations, enforcement matters, or interactions with federal or state regulators
Experience with consumer financial services litigation, arbitration, or enforcement matters strongly preferred
Experience with bank-fintech partnerships or bank-sponsored lending programs strongly preferred
Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex, high-impact legal matters, exercise sound judgment in circumstances involving legal or business ambiguity, and provide practical, business-oriented advice
Demonstrated ability to identify emerging legal and regulatory risks and lead cross-functional initiatives from issue identification through implementation
Ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and effectively to executives, business leaders, technical teams, and other non-lawyers, and to build trusted relationships throughout the organization
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment, prioritize competing demands, and operate effectively through change and ambiguity
A collaborative, low-ego approach combined with the confidence, judgment, and leadership skills necessary to independently own significant matters

Nice To Haves

Direct experience in online consumer lending is strongly preferred
Experience with consumer financial services litigation, arbitration, or enforcement matters strongly preferred
Experience with bank-fintech partnerships or bank-sponsored lending programs strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Serve as a senior legal advisor to executive leadership and business teams on complex legal, regulatory, product, litigation, and strategic matters
Provide practical, business-oriented legal advice regarding the development, launch, operation, and evolution of consumer financial products and services, including online installment loans, lines of credit, payment products, and other existing and emerging financial products
Advise on federal, state, and local laws and regulations applicable to consumer financial services, including TILA/Regulation Z, ECOA/Regulation B, FCRA, EFTA/Regulation E, FDCPA, TCPA, GLBA, UDAAP, state lending and licensing laws, and other applicable consumer protection requirements
Advise on legal issues arising from bank-fintech partnerships and other strategic relationships, including allocation of responsibilities, product structure, regulatory requirements, oversight, and emerging legal developments affecting bank partnership models
Partner closely with Product, Technology, Operations, Marketing, Compliance, Risk, Finance, and other business teams throughout the product lifecycle to identify legal requirements and implement practical solutions
Monitor and assess legislative, regulatory, enforcement, and judicial developments affecting the Company's products and operations; evaluate their potential impact and lead or coordinate implementation of necessary changes
Lead significant cross-functional legal and regulatory initiatives, including translating legal requirements into operational and technology changes and driving projects through implementation
Oversee and manage significant litigation and dispute matters, including consumer litigation, arbitrations, class and representative actions, regulatory enforcement matters, and other material disputes. Develop case strategy, manage outside counsel, assess exposure, and provide clear recommendations to Legal and business leadership
Advise on regulatory examinations, investigations, inquiries, audits, and other interactions with federal and state regulators and governmental authorities, as applicable
Identify and assess legal and business risks and work collaboratively with stakeholders to develop creative, commercially practical approaches to mitigating those risks while supporting business objectives
Provide guidance regarding privacy, data use, electronic payments, electronic communications, marketing, consumer disclosures, and other legal issues arising from digital financial products and services
Collaborate closely with Compliance and other control functions on regulatory change management, risk assessments, vendor oversight, policies and procedures, audits, examinations, and remediation activities
Provide leadership and guidance to other members of the Legal team, including serving as a resource on complex matters, supporting professional development, and helping establish effective Legal Department processes and priorities
Manage outside counsel and other external legal resources effectively, including defining scope, directing strategy, evaluating advice, and managing legal spend
Develop a deep understanding of the Company's business, products, technology, operations, and strategic objectives and use that knowledge to provide proactive rather than solely reactive legal guidance
Handle other significant legal matters and strategic initiatives as needs evolve