SVP, Deputy General Counsel

First Command Financial Services, Inc.•Fort Worth, TX

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The SVP, Deputy General Counsel serves as a senior legal executive and trusted advisor to executive leadership, with primary responsibility for legal oversight of the legal team. This role provides strategic, business-oriented legal counsel across all business operations departments and plays a critical leadership role in enterprise risk management, regulatory engagement, and governance. Acting with a high degree of autonomy, the Deputy General Counsel leads and develops the Company’s Legal Team, manages complex and high-risk legal matters, and partners closely with the Chief Legal Officer in shaping legal strategy, organizational priorities, and long-term business planning. The role also provides legal oversight and support for matters involving the Company’s broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, bank and insurance operations, as applicable.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university (required)
Juris Doctorate from an ABA Accredited Law School (required)
15+ years of progressively responsible legal experience, with significant focus on securities, insurance and banking laws and regulations, regulatory examination and enforcement matters, litigation, and general corporate practice.
7+ years of demonstrated experience leading and developing teams of attorneys and legal professionals.
Proven track record handling highly complex, sensitive, and high-risk matters within a regulated financial institution or comparable environment.
Active license and good standing with the State Bar of Texas (preferred) or any U.S. state bar (required)
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex legal issues into clear business guidance.
Advanced legal research, analytical, and judgment capabilities.
Strong executive presence with the ability to influence, advise, and challenge senior leaders constructively.
Demonstrated leadership, mentoring, and people-management skills.
Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment with minimal supervision.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to adapt communication style to diverse internal and external stakeholders

Nice To Haves

Active license and good standing with the State Bar of Texas (preferred)

Responsibilities

Serve as a principal legal advisor to executive leadership and senior management on complex, high-risk legal and regulatory matters affecting all of the Company’s affiliated entities.
Provide proactive, solutions-oriented legal counsel aligned with business strategy, risk appetite, and regulatory expectations.
Partner with the Chief Legal Officer in enterprise strategy, governance, and risk management planning, including participation in senior leadership forums and key committees.
Support board and committee matters as assigned, including preparation of legal analyses, materials, and executive-level recommendations.
Lead legal strategy and execution for regulatory matters, including examinations, inquiries, supervisory issues, and enforcement actions involving federal and state regulators.
Oversee interpretation and application of federal and state laws and regulations, ensuring alignment between legal requirements, operational practices, and business objectives.
Monitor emerging regulatory developments and assess potential impact to the Company; advise leadership on required changes and strategic implications.
Maintain productive relationships with regulators, external counsel, and industry peers.
Provide end-to-end legal oversight of significant litigation, regulatory proceedings, and material disputes, including development of defense strategy, supervision of in-house and outside counsel, and executive-level reporting.
Lead early dispute resolution and risk mitigation efforts to minimize legal exposure and business disruption.
Issue and oversee legal opinions, escalation frameworks, and risk assessments for material transactions and initiatives.
Negotiate, draft, and approve complex and high-impact contracts, disclosures, policies, and procedures supporting banking operations and strategic initiatives.
Advise on legal aspects of product development, vendor relationships, information security, privacy, employment matters, independent contractor classification, and matters involving military members and Department of Defense regulations.
Ensure legal frameworks support scalable growth while maintaining compliance and sound risk controls.
Provide day-to-day leadership, direction, and mentorship to the Legal Team, including Associate General Counsel, Assistant General Counsel, legal specialists, analysts, and support staff.
Establish clear priorities, performance expectations, and development plans for direct and indirect reports.
Build a high-performing, business-oriented legal function focused on accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Partner with the Chief Legal Officer on legal department structure, talent planning, succession, and resourcing decisions.
Represent the Company in industry associations, working groups, and regulatory forums, providing insight into legal and regulatory trends impacting the Company.
Benchmark practices against peer institutions and recommend enhancements to policies, controls, and governance structures.
Directly and indirectly lead Legal Team personnel, including assigning work, coordinating resources, setting priorities, and ensuring timely and high-quality legal support.
Foster a culture of ethical conduct, sound judgment, and risk awareness across the organization.