Deputy General Counsel

American AgCredit

3d•$180,633 - $361,267•Remote

About The Position

The ideal candidate is a dynamic business and employment law expert and smart problem solver who is comfortable working and leading in a fast-paced and high-intensity environment, with broad responsibility and meaningful impact. We are looking for someone to bring legal smarts, analytic rigor, business sense, a strong work ethic, cross-functional muscle, agile and creative thinking, comfort in unfamiliar environments, and leadership with a growth mindset. This role requires strong trust and relationship building skills to help solve complex, challenging and evolving legal issues that often have a broad business impact, and shape both responsive and disruptive business strategies, working proactively with people throughout the organization. This role also serves as the primary contact and liaison for Association business contract review and negotiations. The Deputy General Counsel is responsible for working as a member of a cross functional team providing legal resources, strategic thought partnership and leadership, as well as assistance and consultation, to management and staff. The successful candidate will assist with leading the legal team and managing all aspects of the Legal Department and the legal processes within the Association. The role requires strong working knowledge of corporate law and best practices, employment law and best practices, litigation proceedings and outside counsel oversight and legal and regulatory compliance. This position will lead and work closely with the entire legal team as well as with various members of the Executive Team and employees at all levels of the Association. The Deputy General Counsel may also engage with the Association’s Board of Directors. The Deputy General Counsel will contribute to overall Association management and performance through participation in the development of strategic and operating objectives, including policy review and creation and implementation. The successful candidate will be expected to work cooperatively, efficiently, and effectively to provide sound and thoughtful legal advice, thought partnership, and guidance to the Association in alignment with the Association’s culture and business risk appetite.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree.
Juris Doctorate Degree from accredited law school and in good standing with a state bar association.
Membership and in good standing with one or more State Bar
At least ten years increasingly complex legal experience with particular emphasis on finance and human resources/employment law and related areas of law.
Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
Exceptional document drafting skills.
Ability to understand and align with the Association’s customer service philosophy, including the commitment to quality, timeliness, and production standards.
Ability to understand, accept and champion Association’s culture and business risk appetite.
Ability to tailor legal advice and guidance to align with the Association’s business culture and risk appetite.
Ability to effectively work and communicate with all levels of employees, outside counsel and other outside entities.
Ability to quickly analyze complex factual situations, whether presented orally or in writing, to identify the legal issues, apply the relevant law to the facts in alignment with business risk appetite, and advise accordingly, both in writing and verbally.
Ability to prioritize workload to accomplish multiple tasks for multiple stakeholders in a timely manner.
Ability to pivot on priorities and provide change management leadership as Association strategic objectives evolve.
Ability to think logically and strategically and communicate effectively.
Must have the ability to perform basic office tasks and work in a typical office setting.
Employee will be sitting for extended periods of time and accomplishing work at a desk and work at a computer for an extended period.
Must have strong written and verbal communication skills to adequately convey ideas and work well with a team.
Some lifting and moving of items up to 25 pounds required.
Work during established business hours and may require occasional weekend and/or evening work.
Position requires the ability to travel.
All hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the United States.
We are unable to sponsor or transfer visas for applicants.

Responsibilities

Assists with the leadership, management, direction, and general oversight of the Legal Department.
Assists with mentoring, developing and continuously improving an elite legal team.
Works across departments to provide business partners with legally-sound, practical and impactful guidance that addresses a range of legal and business issues, contractual provisions, and matters involving compliance and risk mitigation and assessment and business strategy.
Analyzes legal and business issues through risk assessment, risk management and business risk appetite lenses, rather than simply identifying areas of potential legal risk.
Remains current on legal and business developments relevant to the Association.
Anticipates and researches or oversees research of unique legal issues that could impact the Association and provide guidance on important legal topics.
Assists with compliance training oversight and provides general legal compliance support and thought partnership for the Association’s business functions including Brand, Human Resources, Privacy and Data Security, Vendor Risk, Facilities, Enterprise Tools, and Business Technology.
Prepares, reviews, negotiates, and/or interprets various legal instruments and documents such as contracts (including SAAS, DAAS and other technology-focused agreements), leases, agreements, and amendments.
Provides guidance on a broad spectrum of employment law matters, including talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, leaves of absence and accommodations, separations, onboarding, wage and hour, internal investigations, compensation and benefits, inclusion and diversity initiatives, privacy, contingent workforce issues.
Evaluates employment practices for legal risk, establish priorities for process improvements, and execute on established priorities.
Assists with the development of employment policies, employment-related agreements, and templates.
Oversees and monitors litigation and outside counsel.
Maintains and facilitates relationships with other Farm Credit System attorneys.
Represents the Association at meetings and conferences as appropriate and often serves as the primary contact for the Association on complex projects.
Assists with providing guidance and thought partnership to the Association’s Board of Directors on legal and regulatory matters relevant to their strategic oversight.
Key resource for guidance and thought partnership with respect to collaboration initiatives and assists with execution of collaboration initiatives.
Provides support to Standards of Conduct Officer when needed.
Provides support for the Fraud Department in connection with Criminal Referrals and SARs reporting.
Ability to travel domestically up to 20% annually.

Benefits

Commitment to agriculture and the communities we serve
Family friendly work environment
Investment in employee development
Medical, Dental and Vision coverage
Outstanding 401k – automatic 3% employer contribution, plus match up to 6%
Generous Paid Time Off (Vacation accrued at 26 days annually, Sick Days accrued at 15 days annually, 12 paid holidays, plus 16 hours of volunteer time)
Competitive Incentive Compensation Plan
Disability & Life Insurance
Employee mental, physical, and financial wellness programs
The position is bonus eligible based on association and personal performance