Director & Senior Counsel - Payments Network (662)

Discover. A brighter future.

With us, you’ll do meaningful work from Day 1. Our collaborative culture is built on three core behaviors: We Play to Win, We Get Better Every Day & We Succeed Together. And we mean it — we want you to grow and make a difference at one of the world's leading digital banking and payments companies. We value what makes you unique so that you have an opportunity to shine.

Come build your future, while being the reason millions of people find a brighter financial future with Discover.

Job Description:

What You'll Do

Under the direction of a managing attorney, this role involves leading and supporting U.S. regulatory and governance initiatives within the Payment Services Legal Team. The successful candidate will support  

• analysis and integration of new U.S. regulatory requirements 

• internal regulatory change management initiatives 

• interactions with regulatory authorities as necessary 

• reviewing, drafting and approval of internal governance materials including Payment Services policies, standards and procedures 

• complex legal matters and projects including providing legal advice, direction and training to in-house business partners, supporting a risk-aware culture and ensuring effective risk management practices in accordance with relevant laws, regulations, and company policies 

• identifying, assessing and communicating legal and relevant regulatory requirements and industry best practices relevant to the Company and its businesses 

• managing assigned resources and budgets, including outside counsel budgets 

• coaching and collaborating with team colleagues to increase team effectiveness 

This role requires proactive monitoring, governance, risk identification and escalation, as well as making sound risk decisions commensurate with the business unit’s risk appetite and all risk and compliance program requirements. Depending upon their experience, the successful candidate may be an individual contributor or people leader, functionally or directly leading work group(s), small teams, or individual employees to deliver desired output.  

How You'll Do It

• Exercises prudent discretion and decision-making skills by advising business clients on strategic and complex issues and requirements applicable to assigned role (e.g., Legal Counsel, Risk, Government Relations, Exam Management), such as on new initiatives, business process reviews, compliance with laws, regulations, policies and procedures, contract review and analysis, training, corrective actions, risk and issues raised in governance committees.

• Identifies, assesses, communicates, and provides oversight and strategic guidance on new or proposed legal and regulatory requirements, emerging legal and regulatory risks and trends.

• Exercises prudent discretion and decision-making to represent and/or advocate on the company’s behalf before regulatory or judicial bodies, as necessary, or in dealings with counter-parties on matters such as litigation, commercial transactions, regulatory examinations and supervisory matters, comment letters and position papers on proposed regulations, and legislation that may impact the company.

• Provides legal and risk-mitigation advice on complex matters related to the attorney’s assigned area(s) of legal coverage which may include one or more of the following coverage areas: Regulatory, Consumer Finance Advisory, Transactional, Anti-Trust, Privacy/Security, Technology, Employment/Benefits, Litigation, Collections, Public Company, Payments, and Intellectual Property.

• Directly or functionally, leads, coaches and/or develops team members, as assigned and required by role at management’s discretion, to achieve Legal’s Mission and/or Discover’s business objectives. 

• Manages resources, as assigned, including overhead, outside counsel and other budgets to achieve Legal’s financial goals. 

Qualifications Youll Need
The Basics

• J.D.

• 6+ years Legal experience supporting consumer financial services products and services, or job related 

• Active law license in good standing

Bonus Points If You Have

• Experience within the payments industry relating to network management, credit or debit card issuing, merchant acquiring, payment processing or similar areas. 

• 8+ years Legal experience supporting consumer financial services products and services, or job related 

Physical and Cognitive Requirements
The physical requirem