Chief Legal Officer

It’s an exciting time to be at Hanscom Federal Credit Union! 

As a member of our Executive Team, you will join a dynamic team of purpose-driven individuals committed to delivering exceptional service to our members.

Who we are – Hanscom Federal Credit Union

• Members-first – our members are our top priority. We make business decisions with our members at the top of mind.
• Integrity – we’re honest and committed to doing what’s best for our members and our company. What is right isn’t the same as what is easy.
• Teamwork – we are in this together and we all benefit from our success.
• Innovation – we identify new ideas for processes or products that will lead to positive changes and take the initiative to implement the changes.
• Empathy – we understand that communication starts by listening, understanding diverse perspectives, and caring about others’ sustained success.

Who you are – Chief Legal Officer   

The Chief Legal Officer serves as the senior legal executive and is accountable for enterprise legal, risk management and regulatory compliance for the credit union. As a member of the executive leadership team, the Chief Legal Officer leads the organization’s legal function, ensuring strong enterprise governance, disciplined compliance execution, and sound legal risk management while supporting strategic growth, innovation, and member trust.

This role partners closely with the President & CEO, Board of Directors, and executive leadership to balance prudent risk management with business objectives. The Chief Legal Officer provides strategic legal counsel and operational leadership, ensuring regulatory requirements are anticipated, legal risks are proactively managed, and compliance obligations are embedded across the organization.

What you'll do

Legal Advisory & Corporate Counsel

• Provide expert legal advice on a broad range of matters including corporate governance, contracts, privacy, data security, intellectual property, vendor relationships, and litigation risk
• Oversee management of litigation, claims, disputes, and investigations, including strategy, exposure assessment, and resolution
• Advise leadership on emerging legal risks, enforcement trends, and best practices affecting financial institutions
• Oversee management of material contracts, ensuring appropriate legal protections and alignment with risk tolerance

Governance & Board Partnership

• Act as the chief legal advisor to the CEO, Board of Directors and executive team on legal, regulatory, and enterprise risk matters
• Lead corporate governance activities, including Board and committee support, bylaws, charters, resolutions, policies, and governance best practices
• Provide clear, independent reporting to the Board on legal, compliance, and regulatory risks, material issues, and emerging concerns
• Support Board education on legal, regulatory, and fiduciary duties

Strategic Growth, M&A & Business Enablement

• Provide legal and compliance leadership for mergers, acquisitions and strategic partnerships
• Evaluate new products, services, technologies, and delivery channels to ensure risk appropriate growth and regulatory alignment
• Enable innovation by delivering pragmatic, solutions-oriented legal guidance that aligns regulatory expectations with business goals

Legal, Compliance & Outside Counsel Leadership

• Manage legal and compliance staffing model, budget and outside counsel relationships
• Establish efficient processes, standards, and reporting to promote transparency, accountability, and risk awareness

Enterprise Legal, Risk & Compliance Leadership

• Serve as the executive accountable for legal risk and regulatory compliance across the credit union
• Responsible for the comprehensive legal and compliance risk framework, ensuring risks are identified, assessed, mitigated, documented, and reported
• Ensure full compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations governing credit unions, including NCUA, consumer protection, privacy, employment, and data security requirements
• Monitor regulatory, legislative, and enforcement developments and lead organization impact analysis, readiness, and implementation efforts

Risk Management & Regulatory Engagement

• Partner with Risk, Compliance, Audit, and business leaders to align legal risk management with the enterprise risk management (ERM) framework
• Lead legal, compliance, and regulatory aspects of examinations, audits, investigations, and supervisory interactions
• Own strategy and execution for responding to regulatory findings, consent orders, matters requiring attention, or enforcement actions, ensuring timely and effective remediation

Qualifications & Experience

• Strong desire to work in a purpose driven organization
• Exceptional strategic vision for the future of financial services
• Demonstrated leadership ability, confidence and executive presence in a dynamic and growing environment
• Decisive decision-making skills with the ability to prioritize and communicate key objectives and tactics
• 15 years of relevant experience; including significant experience in financial services, banking, credit unions, or other highly regulated environments
• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school with an active license to practice law
• Demonstrated experience owning legal and compliance risk, including direct interaction with regulators and Boards of Directors
• Strong working knowledge of financial institution regulations, corporate governance, and enterprise risk frameworks
• Experience supporting growth initiatives, mergers, or complex organizational transformation preferred

What we offer

 $225K/annual to $275K/annual

Compensation for this position will be determined based on the candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications. Final pay may vary depending on factors such as prior experience, expertise, and specific requirements of the role. We are committed to offering competitive compensation and will discuss the final pay rate with candidates should an offer be made.

• A full-time, permanent position that will reward you through an annual bonus program.
• Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA, 401(k), Student Loan Paydown, and paid Sick and Vacation time benefits.
• A flexible hybrid work schedule environment.
• We are committed to fostering career growth and development – when you join our organization it’s not just a job.
• We look to develop your skills aligned to our business needs and help you progress in your career.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Is able to bend, sit, and stand in order to perform primarily sedentary work with limited physical exertion and occasional lifting of up to 10 lbs. Must be capable of climbing / descending stairs in an emergency situation. Must be able to operate routine office equipment including computer terminals and keyboards, telephones, copiers, facsimiles, and calculators. Must be able to routinely perform work on computer for an average of 6-8 hours per day, when necessary. Must be able to work extended hours or travel off site whenever required or requested by management. Must be capable of regular, reliable and timely attendance.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Must be able to routinely perform work indoors in climate-controlled shared work area with minimal noise.

MENTAL AND/OR EMOTIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Must be able to perform job functions independently or with limited supervision and work effectively either on own or as part of a team. Must be able to read and carry out various written instructions and follow oral instructions. Must be able to complete basic mathematical calculations, spell accurately, and understand computer basics. Must be able to speak clearly and deliver information in a logical and understandable sequence. Must be capable of dealing calmly and professionally with numerous different personalities from diverse cultures at various levels within and outside of the organization and demonstrate highest levels of customer service and discretion when dealing with the public. Must be able to perform responsibilities with composure under the stress of deadlines / requirements for extreme accuracy and quality and/or fast pace. Must be able to effectively handle multiple, simultaneous, and changing priorities. Must be capable of exercising highest level of discretion on both internal and external confidential matters.

** Must be authorized to work in the US **