General Counsel 4884

Keesler Federal Credit Union is seeking a General Counsel to join our Team!

Do you thrive in an environment where you are surrounded by a team that is driven, dedicated and authentic?

Do you think of advancing your career while making a positive impact?

Are you ready to join a team that will celebrate your accomplishments and hold you up when you need support?

ONE TEAM PHILOSOPHY

We are a diverse and inclusive company with over 800 team members.  Our CEO will be the first to tell you….” Here at Keesler Federal Credit Union, we are ONE TEAM, committed to excellence.” The Keesler Federal Credit Union team has over 75 years of service to over 300,000 members worldwide.  We are the largest credit union in Mississippi, with over $4 billion in assets.  Keesler Federal Credit Union has received the honor of Mississippi’s Top Rated Credit Union 4 years in a row by Forbes Magazine.  We have 39 full–service branch locations covering MS, LA, AL, and three RAF base locations in the United Kingdom.

THE SECRET COAST

The beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast, also known as “The Secret Coast,” is 26 miles of sugar-white beaches surrounded by unique coastal communities.  We are a cultural melting pot that takes pride in our genuine hospitality and warm welcomes.  A cornerstone of the community is the mouth-watering expertly prepared cuisine, from fresh gulf seafood to surprising international delights.  Now, if that isn’t enough, there are a variety of attractions such as museums, festivals, world-class gaming, and championship golf courses.  Boating, kayaking, fishing, and hiking are just a few of the options for outdoor adventures, and if you’re in the mood for a quick weekend getaway, we are a short drive to New Orleans or coastal destinations in Alabama & Florida; the choice is yours. 

Compensation
An excellent competitive compensation package will be offered to the selected candidate.

Keesler Federal Credit Union team members enjoy competitive salaries and a wide range of benefits, some of which include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Section 125 Flexible Spending Accounts for Health Care and Dependent Care expenses
• Employee and Dependent Life Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with 100% match on the first 5% contributed by you
• Paid Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement and Competitive Scholarships
• Short Term & Long Term Disability Benefits 

The Opportunity

Provides advice and counsel on a wide variety of legal matters or problems across the Credit Union, including litigation, regulatory proceedings, contract / legal document review, and all other aspects of legal risk. Maintains a comprehensive Internal Fraud and Ethics Program.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Directly oversees the Legal Risk Management, Fraud / Ethics, and Insurance Programs for Keesler Federal Credit Union, including maintaining compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations. Indirectly supervises employees as it relates to Legal, Internal Fraud, and Ethics related matters.

For any Direct Reports, this would also include interviewing, selecting, and hiring internal team members; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; coaching, counseling, rewarding and disciplining team members; addressing complaints and resolving problems; and recommending team members for promotion, demotion, transfer, and termination.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Serves as an in-house attorney that will oversee all aspects of Legal Risk Management:

• Oversees a wide range of litigation and regulatory matters including pre-litigation, discovery, active litigation, and other related activities.
• Provides a wide variety of counsel and guidance on legal and regulatory matters across the Credit Union.
• Coordinates with insurers related to any litigation or other legal risks against the Credit Union.
• Acts as a liaison with outside counsel including monitoring ongoing cases and consulting on an overall legal strategy.
• Coordinates with Risk Management to proactively identify legal risk that may exist within the Credit Union and implement proactive measures to reduce overall risk exposure.
• Stays informed of the legal and regulatory environment that may affect the Credit Union.
• Reviews and provides guidance on legal documents, such as contracts, loan documents, Power of Attorneys, Trusts, Summons, and a variety of other legal documents. For any unfamiliar legal documents, work directly with outside counsel for guidance.
• Performs and/or oversees internal investigations related to fraud, misconduct, abuse, violations of federal / state law, ethics, or Code of Conduct violations (includes vendors/contractors). This includes internal ethics hotline (Lighthouse) complaint management.
  • Perform interviews, analyze data, and draw accurate conclusions.
  • Partner with other departments, as warranted.
  • Prepare documentation that is “court ready” and work directly with external law enforcement with prosecution is warranted.
  • Work with insurance to recover losses.
• Oversees the overall Insurance Program for the Credit Union, including MPL, PBL, Auto, Fidelity Bond, Cyber, Flood, Worker's Comp, and other insurance policies for the organization.
• Prepares periodic litigation and legal risk related reports for Chiefs and Board of Directors.
• Works independently on special projects and assignments.
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

 KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Juris Doctorate (JD) from an accredited university.
• 5+ years related legal risk management experience, preferably within a financial institution.
• Licensed to practice law in Mississippi (preferred), Louisiana, or Alabama.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess excellent communication skills where tact, persuasiveness, discretion, accuracy, and clarity are essential.
• Must possess interpersonal skills demonstrating the ability to work cooperatively and communicate with all levels of team members and management.
• Must possess judgment and decision-making skills required to analyze complicated factual situations, apply technical principles, and develop solutions.
• On-going ability to keep abreast of changing legal landscape.
• Must possess a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Must be well organized and able to work independently.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

A significant level of trust and diplomacy is required in addition to normal courtesy and tact.  Work involves extensive personal contact with others and is usually of a personal or sensitive nature.  Work may involve motivating, influencing, or training others.  Outside contacts become important and fostering sound relationships with other entities (companies and/or individuals) becomes necessary and often requires the ability to influence and/or sell ideas or services to others.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the individual is regularly required to sit, stand, and walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear.  The individual is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or bend and lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Extensive use of desktop computer is required.  The noise level is that of a normal office environment.

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