Deputy General Counsel

Empower FCU Purpose: At every stage of life, positively impact members by providing affordable financial services.
Empower FCU Core Values: Fairness, Integrity & Honesty
Empower FCU Strategic Pillars:
• World-Class Employee Experience
• Best-In-Class Member Experience
• Growth for Impact
• Shared Value in the Community
Empower Federal Credit Union offers excellent benefits including...
Medical and Dental Insurance, 401K with Employer Match, Holiday Pay, Paid Time Off and more!

A World-Class Employee Experience: We are at our best when we are developing genuine relationships, looking out for one another, freely and honestly sharing information, and working together. We succeed when we rise above our departments, roles, and individual interests to come together, to move forward together. Each of us plays a crucial role in creating a positive work environment and we encourage all our employees to actively contribute to embracing Empower’s values and supporting those around you.
Be Yourself, Belong with Empower: The strength of Empower is in the unique backgrounds, voices, talents, & experiences of each person. With a culture of belonging, we enable teamwork, spark innovation, and fuel success.


Please note: All candidates will be subject to a credit and background check to determine employment eligibility.


Role:
The Deputy General Counsel plays a critical leadership role in supporting the General Counsel in overseeing all legal matters for the credit union. Reporting directly to the General Counsel, this position provides strategic legal counsel to executive leadership and the Board, ensuring regulatory compliance and sound governance practices. The VP will work closely with the VP of Risk Management and the VP of Compliance, providing legal guidance to their teams. This role will also lead efforts in contract negotiation, risk mitigation, regulatory oversight, and legal policy development, while managing internal and external legal resources. As the organization evolves, this role may expand to oversee teams in legal, risk, and vendor management.
Location: Our headquarters are based in Syracuse, NY. We work in a Hybrid Model requiring a minimum of 5 days in office per month.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:
25% Legal Counsel & Strategic Advisory:
- Support the General Counsel in providing legal guidance and strategic counsel to executive leadership, senior management, and the Board of Directors on a wide range of legal and regulatory issues.
- Advise on legal matters affecting the credit union, balancing legal risks with business objectives and ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Work closely with the VP of Risk Management and VP of Compliance, providing legal guidance to their respective teams on regulatory compliance and risk-related matters.
- Participate in strategic planning and serve as a legal partner in enterprise-wide decision-making, contributing to governance and organizational growth.
- Monitor and assess emerging legal trends and regulatory changes, providing insights on their potential impact on operations.
25% Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management:
- Ensure compliance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations, including NCUA, CFPB, BSA/AML, and OFAC, to safeguard the credit union’s legal standing.
- Collaborate with the VP of Risk Management and VP of Compliance, offering legal guidance and expertise to their teams as they manage compliance and risk-related functions.
- Regularly review and monitor regulatory developments, ensuring the credit union’s operations are aligned with changing laws and regulations.
- Advise on risk management initiatives and compliance-related matters, supporting the credit union's overall risk mitigation strategy.
25% Contract Management & Vendor Oversight:
- Lead the negotiation, drafting, and review of complex legal contracts and agreements to support the credit union's operations, ensuring they comply with legal and regulatory standards.
- Provide legal oversight for vendor relationships, including negotiating contracts, assessing legal risks, and ensuring alignment with the credit union’s policies.
- Collaborate with the Vendor Management Administrator and other departments to manage vendor-related legal matters and ensure compliance with internal standards.
15% External Counsel & Legal Resource Coordination:
- Manage and coordinate work with external counsel, ensuring that legal support is cost-effective, timely, and high-quality.
- Oversee external legal engagements and ensure they align with the credit union’s strategic goals and internal capabilities.
- Provide guidance and support to internal stakeholders interacting with external legal resources to ensure consistency and alignment with l