Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer

Concordia Plans•St. Louis, MO

About The Position

The Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer provides strategic legal leadership, risk oversight and governance support, serving as a trusted advisor to the CEO, executive leadership and Boards of Directors for Concordia Plan Services and its subsidiaries. Concordia Plans has a reputation for outstanding culture, most recently winning the 2025 Top Workplaces USA award. This honor goes to the country’s best employers with high performing people-first cultures. Our recent history of employment excellence also includes being awarded the 2023-2025 Top Workplaces USA award, the Top Workplaces 2021 - 2025 St. Louis Post-Dispatch awards and over the past five years additional special awards for Work-Life Flexibility, Compensation & Benefits, Purpose & Values, Employee Well-Being, Professional Development, Business Health Culture and Appreciation. Established more than 50 years ago providing service in 6,000 communities throughout the United States, we are mission focused professionals united to care for those caring for our community. At Concordia Plans we are focused and flexible. Embracing the new normal, pioneering ways to continue to support work life balance in our family first culture. We offer competitive compensation with a benefit package, including a pension plan, 403(b), health insurance at no cost to the employee, and much more. With this exciting opportunity you can combine experience, talent, and passion as part of our team at Concordia Plans serving the workers of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school in the United States.
Active license to practice law and in good standing with Missouri state bar.
Minimum of 10 years legal firm or corporate practice in employee benefits, preferably church benefit plans, and familiar with nonprofit structure.
Demonstrated experience advising Board of Directors and senior executives in complex, highly regulated organizations.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a combined practice of employee benefits and another relevant area such as tax, corporate transactions or health care is highly desirable.
Member of LCMS preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide executive oversight of companywide legal risk, governance integrity, and regulatory exposure across all CPS entities.
Collaborate with executive leadership on organizational strategy and priorities and proactively identify, assess, and mitigate legal and compliance risks.
Lead and guide the organization and legal team on legal issues related to employee benefit plans and other programs maintained by the organization.
Serve as the corporate secretary and principal governance advisor, including to Boards of Directors and committees.
Represent CPS externally as a thought leader in church benefits organizations, engaging in advocacy, education and collaboration on emerging legal and regulatory issues.
Manage relationships with outside legal counsel and oversee any litigation or dispute resolution matters.
Oversee or conduct training and communications on legal topics, including for Boards of Directors and staff.
Provide expertise across complex to high-impact legal matters and projects, but not limited to health and welfare plans, retirement plans, and a variety of tax, corporate, employment issues.
Lead, develop, and mentor a high-performing legal and compliance team, fostering professional growth, accountability, and alignment with organizational values.