Lead Regulatory Counsel, Global Auto

Lead Regulatory Counsel, Global Auto

Reporting to the VP Business Unit General Counsel, this position will serve as the lead regulatory lawyer for Assurant’s Global Auto business, an innovative ever-changing business line operating in over 21 countries and partnering with some of the largest companies in the world. Assurant Global Auto provides vehicle protection products/services, commercial equipment coverages, and other similar risk transfer products to consumers and commercial clients through a wide range of distribution channels.

The Lead Regulatory Counsel for Global Auto will serve as strategic legal advisor to the Global Auto Business, advising on innovative, game changing initiatives while enabling sustainable growth and proactively managing legal risk. This position will work on a team of skilled lawyers and other professionals in providing general and commercial regulatory-based legal advice to the Auto business, including in the context of strategic initiatives, product development and commercial negotiations. Working closely with others in the Legal & Compliance department, this position will also advise on the management of regulatory matters as well as industry trade association participation. This is a remote opportunity.

What will my duties and responsibilities be in this job?

• Advice and Counsel: Serve as the lead regulatory counsel and primary point of contact to Assurant Global Auto in providing sophisticated legal analysis and strategic and technical advice to the business, business legal attorneys, and compliance professionals, on regulatory issues involved in product development, regulatory inquiries and filings, and other regulatory matters.

• Research and Analyze:  Employ understanding and interpretation of the business’ strategy, objectives, and projects to identify potential legal risks including regulatory and compliance ones.  Counsel and advise business management on the ramifications of those risks and actions that can be taken to avoid or minimize them consistent with Assurant positions. This includes via sophisticated legal research and analysis to determine effects of state and federal statutes, regulations and court opinions on business offerings, structures, practices, and processes. Be an expert in the laws governing the products and operations of Assurant Global Auto and its clients.

• Regulatory Issues/Trends and Trade Association Management: Stay abreast of issues concerning the business including regulatory, legislative, and trade association activity. This includes discovery and analysis of emerging and existing regulatory and legislative issues. Primarily responsible for consulting with business and Legal & Compliance leaders to determine and assess the impact/risk and formalize a plan of action for positive resolution including by partnering with Government Affairs to set the strategy to protect and shape the regulatory environment in which Assurant Global Auto operates.

What are the requirements needed for this position? 

• Bachelor’s degree and Law Degree (JD) from an accredited law school

• Membership in good standing in the bar of at least one state

• A minimum of 10 years of experience practicing in a law firm or corporation providing legal counsel on general business and contractual issues

• Accounting/Finance/Reinsurance/Risk Management experience or education preferred.

• Expert in the laws governing the products and operations of Assurant Global Auto including insurance, service contract, warranty, reinsurance, and similar risk transfer products and methodologies.

• Experience representing clients in regulatory and legislative matters and inquires, market conduct exams, data calls, complaints, form and rate filings objections, and various other related situations.

• Experience participating in industry trade associations, ideally those who represent Assurant Global Auto’s interest.

• Highly autonomous and self-motivated work ethic; demonstrating sound judgment, initiative, and an ability to manage multiple priorities with a sense of urgency.

• Ability to understand business strategy and basic financial aspects of business ventures.

• Ability to quickly evaluate complex legal and regulatory issues and recommend appropriate and defensible courses of action.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization internally and externally.

• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, MS Office, Word), Westlaw experience.

• Ability to influence without dire