Sr Director, Legal Counsel

FIS•Atlanta, GA

About The Position

At FIS, our technology and our people are moving forward. We advance the way the world pays, banks and invests. We believe in building inclusive, diverse teams. Together, we innovate to help our colleagues, clients and communities succeed. If you’re ready to grow your career and make an impact in fintech, we have one question: Are you FIS? About the Role: As Sr Director, Legal Counsel, you will provide strategic legal leadership that enables business growth while protecting the organization from legal, regulatory, and operational risk. You will oversee complex commercial transactions, corporate governance activities, litigation matters, and regulatory compliance initiatives across a broad business landscape. Working closely with executive leadership, you will guide critical business decisions and ensure legal strategies align with organizational objectives. Success in this role is measured through effective risk management, strong governance practices, successful business partnerships, and the development of a high-performing legal function.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Law, Juris Doctor, or equivalent legal qualification.
Significant experience leading legal functions within complex, regulated organizations.
Demonstrated expertise in commercial contracting, contract negotiation, and legal risk management.
Strong knowledge of corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and business law principles.
Experience managing litigation strategy, dispute resolution processes, and external legal counsel relationships.
Proven ability to advise executive leadership on strategic business decisions and legal impacts.
Strong understanding of mergers and acquisitions, due diligence, and corporate transaction frameworks.
Exceptional leadership, stakeholder management, communication, negotiation, and decision-making skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting financial services, fintech, payments, banking, or technology organizations.
Knowledge of global regulatory frameworks and cross-border business transactions.
Experience implementing legal operations best practices, governance frameworks, and process improvements.
Professional certifications or advanced training in corporate governance, compliance, or risk management.
Experience leading large, geographically dispersed teams and complex enterprise initiatives.

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on strategic legal, regulatory, and business matters.
Lead the review, drafting, negotiation, and oversight of complex commercial agreements and business transactions.
Develop legal strategies that balance business objectives with risk mitigation and regulatory compliance requirements.
Direct high-impact litigation, dispute resolution, and external counsel engagements to safeguard organizational interests.
Provide leadership on corporate governance practices, board-related matters, and regulatory obligations.
Advise stakeholders on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and other strategic transactions, including due diligence activities.
Counsel leaders on labor and employment matters, employee relations issues, workplace investigations, and employment agreements.
Develop and oversee legal policies, procedures, and operational frameworks that support enterprise objectives.
Guide legal response strategies during crisis situations to protect reputation, business continuity, and legal standing.
Build, lead, and mentor high-performing legal teams while driving operational excellence, accountability, and professional development.