Chief Legal Officer

Aston Carter•Harrington, DE

6d•$72 - $96•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Legal Officer serves as the general counsel and chief legal advisor for a group of businesses operating in subprime finance, commercial collections, and truck sales. This role provides strategic legal guidance, ensures regulatory and consumer finance compliance, oversees legal and collateral recovery departments, and manages the compliance function, including direct oversight of the compliance officer. The Chief Legal Officer actively participates in the daily operations of commercial collections while balancing long-term legal strategy with practical, business-focused decision-making.

Requirements

Extensive experience in contract drafting, review, and negotiation across commercial, finance, and collections-related agreements.
Strong background in litigation management, including supervising outside counsel and overseeing legal disputes and claims.
Deep knowledge of consumer finance and regulatory compliance, with hands-on experience in lending and debt collection environments.
Proven legal leadership and department management experience, including oversight of legal and collateral recovery functions.
Expertise in risk management and corporate governance within multi-entity or multi-company organizations.
Licensed to practice law with active state bar admission and a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
Experience with FDCPA (Fair Debt Collection Practices Act) and debt collection law, including practical application in commercial collections.
background in commercial collections, lending, or consumer finance, with familiarity in credit risk management.
Experience managing outside counsel and interacting with regulatory agencies.
Knowledge of employment law and HR compliance matters relevant to a growing organization.
Experience overseeing compliance programs and supervising compliance officers.
Strong understanding of corporate governance principles and board advisory responsibilities.
Experience navigating both state and federal regulatory requirements in finance and collections.
Multi-state legal practice experience, particularly in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
Demonstrated leadership and people management skills, with the ability to build and guide high-performing teams.
Strong negotiation, communication, and business partnership skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
Ability to balance legal strategy with day-to-day business operations and commercial realities.

Nice To Haves

Licensure to practice law in Delaware is preferred.
Experience supporting multi-entity or multi-company organizations, including complex corporate structures.
background in truck sales, asset-based lending, or specialty finance is preferred.
Experience in legal administrative processes, including documentation, case management, and reporting.
Familiarity with asset recovery and collateral recovery practices in finance and sales operations.
Ability to develop and execute risk management plans tailored to financial services and collections businesses.
Proven track record of building strong cross-functional relationships with operations, finance, HR, and executive leadership.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present legal issues clearly and concisely.

Responsibilities

Provide comprehensive legal counsel to executive leadership and Board members on matters related to subprime finance, commercial collections, truck sales, and broader corporate activities.
Lead and manage the legal department, including legal and collateral recovery teams, ensuring effective structure, workflows, and performance aligned with business objectives.
Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts and agreements, ensuring clear terms, risk mitigation, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Oversee litigation management, including supervising outside counsel, setting litigation strategy, managing case budgets, and monitoring outcomes for both defensive and offensive matters.
Develop, implement, and maintain robust consumer finance and regulatory compliance frameworks, particularly in relation to lending, debt collection, and asset-based finance activities.
Manage risk across the organization by identifying legal and regulatory exposures, recommending mitigation strategies, and supporting corporate governance practices.
Provide guidance and oversight to the compliance officer and compliance programs, ensuring effective policies, procedures, monitoring, and reporting across multiple entities or companies.
Advise on and ensure adherence to federal and state regulatory requirements, including those applicable to FDCPA and debt collection law, consumer finance, and specialty lending.
Support and guide commercial collections operations from a legal and compliance perspective, integrating legal requirements into day-to-day collection activities.
Oversee asset recovery and collateral recovery strategies, including legal processes and credit risk management related to repossessions, recoveries, and disposition of assets.
Advise on employment law and HR compliance matters, including workplace policies, employee relations, and regulatory obligations impacting the workforce.
Coordinate and manage relationships with regulatory agencies, responding to inquiries, examinations, and enforcement actions as needed.
Strengthen corporate governance by advising on board procedures, organizational structure, and multi-entity or multi-company legal considerations.
Ensure multi-state legal compliance, particularly in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, and support legal operations across jurisdictions as required.
Partner closely with business leaders to balance legal risk with operational needs, supporting growth initiatives in truck sales, asset-based lending, and specialty finance.
Provide strong leadership, mentoring, and development for legal and compliance staff, fostering a culture of accountability, integrity, and business partnership.
Develop and maintain risk management plans, including policies and procedures that support sustainable, compliant growth.
Communicate complex legal concepts in clear, practical terms to non-legal stakeholders, enabling informed decision-making across the organization.