Chief Legal Officer

Cain Watters & Associates, LLC • Frisco, TX

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Executive Committee, the Chief Legal Officer (CLO) is a critical member of the executive leadership team responsible for providing strategic legal counsel, overseeing enterprise contract management, leading key growth initiatives, and supporting operational excellence across the firm. The CLO serves as the firm's chief legal advisor while overseeing the Chief Compliance Officer and leading strategic initiatives and special projects that support firm growth, scalability, and long-term enterprise value.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Operations Management, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school required.
• Minimum of 12-15 years of legal experience, including significant experience serving as in-house counsel, general counsel, or senior legal executive.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex contract negotiations, enterprise contract management programs, and legal risk management initiatives.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional strategic initiatives and special projects from concept through implementation, including project planning, stakeholder management, execution, and measurement of results.
• Proven track record identifying, evaluating, and executing business initiatives that drive organizational growth, operational scalability, process improvement, and enhanced client experience.
• Strong understanding of corporate governance, compliance, risk management, employment law, and business transactions.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with process improvement methodologies and change management.
• Proficiency in leveraging technology and data analytics to drive operational efficiency.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving.
• Strong decision-making and analytical skills.
• Ability to lead and inspire diverse teams.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Commitment to fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the principal legal advisor to the Executive Committee and executive leadership team, providing strategic counsel on legal, regulatory, governance, and risk-related matters.
• Lead and oversee the firm's legal affairs, including contract management, risk mitigation, corporate governance, and legal operations.
• Direct and develop the firm's compliance function through oversight of the Chief Compliance Officer.
• Support enterprise strategic initiatives and special projects focused on firm growth, innovation, scalability, and operational excellence.
• Partner with executive leadership to evaluate business opportunities, improve organizational effectiveness, and align legal and operational strategies with firm objectives.
• Identify, assess, and manage legal, regulatory, operational, and reputational risks while regularly reporting recommendations to the Executive Committee.
• Develop and execute the firm's legal strategy in alignment with organizational goals and long-term business objectives.
• Oversee the firm's contract management process, including contract review, negotiation, administration, and risk assessment.
• Establish policies, procedures, and controls to ensure consistency and effectiveness in contract governance, legal operations, and corporate governance.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive and department leadership regarding legal obligations, contractual matters, business initiatives, strategic priorities, and organizational risk.
• Establish and monitor KPIs related to legal operations, compliance activities, contract management, and strategic initiatives.
• Provide strategic oversight of the Chief Compliance Officer, aligning compliance, risk management, and legal priorities with the firm's business objectives.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and oversee client, vendor, employment, technology, and other business agreements.
• Manage relationships with outside legal counsel, specialized advisors, and regulatory agencies, as appropriate.
• Provide guidance regarding employment law matters, business transactions, litigation management, regulatory examinations, and dispute resolution.
• Lead cross-functional strategic initiatives from concept through implementation, ensuring alignment with firm objectives, measurable outcomes, and successful adoption across the organization.
• Serve as executive sponsor for special projects identified by the Executive Committee, driving initiatives that support revenue growth, market expansion, service line development, operational scalability, and long-term enterprise value creation.
• Monitor emerging legal, regulatory, industry, and market developments that may create opportunities or risks for the firm's strategic objectives while fostering cross-departmental collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.

Benefits

• Heavily subsidized medical insurance options
• Generous employer HSA contributions
• 100% employer-paid Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Accident, Basic Life Insurance, and Telehealth/Virtual Urgent Care/Whole Mental Health
• Dental and Vision plans
• Unlimited PTO
• Organization-paid holidays, including an extended Winter Break
• Safe Harbor 401k Plan
• Employer-paid professional dues, licenses, and renewals
• Continuing Education resources
• Family Planning Assistance Program and Paid Parental Leave
• Subsidized fitness programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive