Description

Job Title: Chief Legal Officer (CLO)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Work Hours: Full Time, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm - Flex Schedule TBD

Work Location: La Mesa, CA – In Office, Hybrid or Remote

Reports to: COO

Salary Range: $175,000 to $245,000 per year

Essential Duties

The Chief Legal Officer (CLO) is a key executive responsible for overseeing the legal and functions of the organization. This position ensures adherence to all legal and regulatory requirements while supporting strategic objectives. The CLO provides guidance on corporate governance, risk management, and operational practices within the retirement funds industry.

Serve as the primary legal advisor to the COO, CEO, Board of Directors, and executive leadership team.
Ensure compliance with all federal and state laws, including ERISA, SEC, IRS, and DOL regulations.
Develop and execute the company’s legal strategy in alignment with business goals.
Lead corporate governance efforts, advising on Board matters and maintaining critical corporate records.
Monitor and respond to regulatory changes that impact the industry.

Responsibilities

Legal Strategy and Compliance:
Develop and enforce policies and procedures to ensure legal and regulatory compliance.
Collaborate with internal teams to provide proactive legal guidance on operational and strategic initiatives.
Risk Management:
Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks in business operations, contracts, and investments.
Manage internal investigations and regulatory audits as needed.
Contract Oversight:
Draft, negotiate, and review contracts - including client agreements, vendor arrangements, RFP’s, and investment documents.
Manage the company’s portfolio of agreements and contracts.
Litigation and Dispute Resolution:
Supervise and coordinate litigation efforts, engaging with external counsel when necessary.
Represent the company in legal proceedings and settlement discussions.
Team Leadership:
Mentor the Legal, Internal Audit, and Compliance teams to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.
Foster a culture of integrity, collaboration, and excellence within the legal department.
Other:
Prepare periodic reports for the Board of Directors, Officers and Management, as necessary or requested.
Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) Note that these requirements are representative, not all-inclusive, of the KSAs required to perform the job.

In-depth understanding of fiduciary duties, corporate governance, trusts, and financial services operations.
Strong knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations.
Strong legal drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.
Excellent skills in understanding, interpreting, explaining and applying legal and regulatory requirements.
Effective communication and presentation abilities, with the capability to advise senior executives and Boards.
Strategic thinking with a solutions-oriented approach to complex legal challenges.
Build and maintain strong relationships with regulatory bodies, external counsel, and key stakeholders.
Lead and inspire teams in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment.
High degree of professional ethics and integrity; excellent judgement.
Balance legal risks with business priorities to drive organizational success.
General knowledge of ERISA, BSA/AML, Reg R, IRC, SEC laws, rules and regs as they apply to the company’s core business.
Knowledge of federal and state labor laws would be a plus.

Education And Experience

Degree or equivalent experience: Bachelor’s degree in business or other appropriate field; Law Degree (JD) required. Licensed to practice law in California would be a plus.
10+ years of legal experience, with at least 5 years in a senior legal or compliance role in the retirement funds or financial services industry.
Specialized experience in drafting, reviewing and revising legal contracts.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The employee is often required to sit and use their hands and fingers, to handle or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions. Work Environment: ADA compliant office building.

Other

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

PenChecks Trust

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