Counsel - Data Protection, Privacy & Cyber Security

Empower•KS Remote, KS

4d•$144,200 - $209,150•Hybrid

About The Position

Empower is transforming how Americans experience financial services, bringing together workplace retirement, personal wealth, and innovative financial solutions to help millions of people achieve their financial goals. With that scale comes an increasingly complex and evolving regulatory environment—and an opportunity for talented lawyers to build deep expertise while working on issues that matter across the enterprise. We are seeking a Counsel – Privacy & AML to join Empower’s Legal Department. This is an opportunity for an early-career attorney to develop expertise at the intersection of privacy, data protection, cybersecurity, anti-money laundering (AML), financial crimes, and financial services regulation while working alongside experienced attorneys and business partners across Empower. You will provide legal research, analysis, and practical guidance on privacy and AML matters affecting Empower’s businesses, products, customers, and operations. You will work closely with colleagues across Legal, Compliance, Financial Crimes, Risk, Technology, Cybersecurity, Product, Operations, and other functions to help Empower navigate evolving regulatory requirements and implement practical solutions. This role is well suited for an attorney who is intellectually curious, enjoys learning new areas of law, and wants meaningful responsibility and exposure early in their career. You do not need to arrive as an expert in every area—we are looking for strong legal fundamentals, sound judgment, curiosity, and someone who wants to grow.

Requirements

Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and active membership in good standing with a state bar.
3+ years of relevant legal experience; experience may include a law firm, corporate legal department, government agency, regulator, judicial clerkship, or other relevant setting.
Strong legal research, analytical, writing, and problem-solving skills.
Interest in developing expertise in privacy, data protection, cybersecurity, AML, financial crimes, and financial services regulation.
Ability to understand complex legal requirements and communicate them clearly and practically to legal and non-legal audiences.
Strong organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple matters and competing priorities.
Collaborative approach and willingness to work across functions and subject-matter areas.
Intellectual curiosity, initiative, and enthusiasm for learning new areas of law and developing new expertise.
Sound judgment, discretion, and integrity in handling confidential and sensitive information.

Nice To Haves

Experience or coursework involving privacy, cybersecurity, AML/BSA, financial crimes, consumer financial services, securities, banking, or other financial services regulation.
Familiarity with privacy and data protection frameworks, including GLBA and state comprehensive privacy laws.
Familiarity with the Bank Secrecy Act, USA PATRIOT Act, FinCEN regulations or guidance, OFAC sanctions requirements, or other AML and financial crimes frameworks.
Experience working in or with a financial services, fintech, retirement, wealth management, banking, insurance, or other regulated organization.
CIPP/US certification, or interest in obtaining the certification after joining Empower.
Demonstrated interest in emerging issues involving data, technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, fraud, or financial crimes.

Responsibilities

Research, interpret, and provide legal guidance regarding federal, state, and evolving global privacy, data protection, cybersecurity, consumer protection, and related laws and regulations, including GLBA, state comprehensive privacy laws, FCRA, TCPA, CAN-SPAM, and other applicable requirements.
Advise business partners on privacy and data protection requirements affecting Empower’s products, services, operations, and customer interactions.
Support the development, implementation, and maintenance of privacy policies, notices, procedures, and other compliance frameworks.
Provide legal support regarding the collection, use, sharing, retention, and protection of personal information.
Assist with legal issues involving cybersecurity, data incidents, information security, online privacy, and evolving technology and data practices.
Review and draft privacy and data protection provisions in client, vendor, and other commercial agreements, and support contract negotiations and RFPs.
Assist with records retention and information governance matters, including interpreting legal and regulatory retention requirements.
Support regulatory examinations, inquiries, and other matters involving privacy, cybersecurity, data protection, and related issues.
Monitor emerging privacy, cybersecurity, technology, and consumer protection developments and help translate new legal requirements into practical guidance for the business.
Research and provide legal guidance on evolving laws, regulations, regulatory guidance, and industry standards governing artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, including requirements relating to privacy, data use, transparency, automated decision-making, governance, and consumer protection.
Partner with Legal, Privacy, Compliance, Risk, Technology, Cybersecurity, Product, and other stakeholders on the responsible development, procurement, and use of AI-enabled tools and applications, including helping assess legal and regulatory considerations associated with new AI use cases.
Research and analyze federal and state laws, regulations, regulatory guidance, and industry developments relating to anti-money laundering, Bank Secrecy Act requirements, sanctions, and financial crimes.
Provide legal support to Empower’s Compliance and Financial Crimes teams regarding the interpretation and application of AML and related regulatory requirements.
Assist with legal questions involving customer identification and verification, customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, suspicious activity, sanctions screening, and other components of Empower’s financial crimes compliance framework.
Support the review and development of AML and financial crimes policies, procedures, controls, and governance frameworks.
Assist with regulatory examinations, inquiries, internal reviews, and remediation efforts involving AML and financial crimes matters.
Monitor legislative, regulatory, and enforcement developments and work with senior attorneys and compliance partners to assess their potential impact on Empower’s businesses and operations.
Partner with attorneys across the Legal Department on matters where privacy, data use, fraud prevention, AML, sanctions, and other regulatory requirements intersect.
Work closely with attorneys and business partners across Empower to identify legal issues, conduct research and analysis, and develop practical, business-focused solutions.
Prepare legal memoranda, regulatory analyses, summaries, presentations, policies, and other materials for legal and business audiences.
Translate complex legal and regulatory requirements into clear, actionable guidance.
Develop strong working relationships across Legal, Compliance, Financial Crimes, Risk, Technology, Cybersecurity, Product, Operations, and other functions.
Collaborate with attorneys across the Legal Department to provide consistent, enterprise-wide legal guidance and contribute to a “one team” approach.
Take on increasing responsibility as your knowledge of Empower’s businesses and applicable regulatory frameworks grows.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
Retirement savings – 401(k) plan with generous company matching contributions (up to 6%), financial advisory services, potential company discretionary contribution, and a broad investment lineup
Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250/year
Business-casual environment that includes the option to wear jeans
Generous paid time off upon hire – including a paid time off program plus ten paid company holidays and three floating holidays each calendar year
Paid volunteer time — 16 hours per calendar year
Leave of absence programs – including paid parental leave, paid short- and long-term disability, and Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)
Business Resource Groups (BRGs) – BRGs facilitate inclusion and collaboration across our business internally and throughout the communities where we live, work and play. BRGs are open to all.

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