Deputy General Counsel, Regulatory / Licensing

About the Team:

Made up of specialized lawyers and paraprofessionals, our Legal Department provides legal guidance and support to the organization on a broad range of issues, including regulatory compliance, contract negotiations, litigation, employment law, immigration, and transactional matters.

The Opportunity:

The Deputy General Counsel (DGC) will play a critical role in supporting the company’s strategic corporate initiatives and help the company scale responsibly while managing legal risk. This is a hands-on role ideal for an attorney that is deeply curious and a strategic problem solver.  

The DGC will have significant ownership, exposure to senior leadership and the opportunity to influence the company’s strategies. 

This role is onsite and based out of our headquarters in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Open to candidates willing to relocate. Position requires relocation to Spartanburg, SC by start date.

What You’ll Do:

Reporting directly to ACA’s General Counsel, the successful candidate in this role will: 

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the company’s Senior Executive team and members of the Board on all legal, regulatory and compliance matters. 

• Oversee and guide the day-to-day activity of the Legal Department. 

• Advise the company’s second-line Compliance and corporate governance function on regulatory compliance, monitoring, testing, remediation and risk management. 

• Participate in and provide guidance to Compliance on state licensing and regulatory examinations. 

• Provide guidance to internal business partners on matters with significant impact on business initiatives, strategy, and performance, collaborating with and managing outside counsel as needed. 

• As a lead counsel for loan originations, provide strategic and timely advice to the Business on product initiatives for indirect/direct lending including applicable controls to manage related risks and compliance with law. 

• As a lead counsel for servicing, advise the Business on adherence to federal and state debt collection laws. 

• Collaborate within the Department and across business and staff functions to identify, address and mitigate legal and risk issues in a manner consistent with the best interests of ACA.  

• Provide direction on top priorities and allocate resources as needed across the inside and outside Legal teams, understanding when and how to utilize outside counsel and other external resources. 

• Drive a culture of accountability, performance and development across the Legal team by coaching peers, setting clear expectations, and reinforcing high standards.

• Keep abreast of changes in laws and regulations that may impact the company, proactively identifying potential legal risks, advising on mitigation plans, and providing oversight. 

• Manage the legal aspects of the company’s operations, including reviewing and drafting legal documents, contracts, and agreements. 

What You Bring:

• A background in consumer finance, lending and auto-finance (FCRA for Lenders, TILA, ECOA, FDCPA, TCPA, EFTA, UDAPP and state equivalents).

• The ability to build trusted relationships with senior leadership, understanding the business and providing counsel that is fact-based, data-driven, and analytically sound. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

• Experience leading a team of direct reports.   

• A coaching mentality to identify team strengths and to drive business results.  

Qualifications: 

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school. 

• Admitted to practice law in South Carolina or another jurisdiction. 

• 15+ years of relevant law firm or in-house corporate law experience. Regulatory or financial services experience a plus. 

• 5+ years of experience managing a team of lawyers and paraprofessionals. 

Who We Are

At American Credit Acceptance (ACA), we’re not just navigating the road ahead—we’re building it. As a national leader in auto finance with over $7 billion in assets, thousands of dealer partners, and more than 1,400 associates across the country, we’re fulfilling our mission — to enable the emerging credit consumer to purchase affordable and reliable transportation. We’re equally committed to helping our customers improve their credit and achieve long-term financial stability. 

Since 2007, we’ve built a business grounded in integrity, innovation, and a commitment to service. Whether you’re launching your career or looking for your next opportunity, ACA is a place where you can make a meaningful impact—on our customers, our industry, and your future.