Summary/Objective Reporting to the Executive Committee, the Chief Legal Officer (CLO) is a critical member of the executive leadership team responsible for providing strategic legal counsel, overseeing enterprise contract management, leading key growth initiatives, and supporting operational excellence across the firm. The CLO serves as the firm's chief legal advisor while overseeing the Chief Compliance Officer and leading strategic initiatives and special projects that support firm growth, scalability, and long-term enterprise value. Essential Functions Serve as the principal legal advisor to the Executive Committee and executive leadership team, providing strategic counsel on legal, regulatory, governance, and risk-related matters. Lead and oversee the firm's legal affairs, including contract management, risk mitigation, corporate governance, and legal operations. Direct and develop the firm's compliance function through oversight of the Chief Compliance Officer. Support enterprise strategic initiatives and special projects focused on firm growth, innovation, scalability, and operational excellence. Partner with executive leadership to evaluate business opportunities, improve organizational effectiveness, and align legal and operational strategies with firm objectives. Identify, assess, and manage legal, regulatory, operational, and reputational risks while regularly reporting recommendations to the Executive Committee. Responsibilities and Duties Develop and execute the firm's legal strategy in alignment with organizational goals and long-term business objectives.
Oversee the firm's contract management process, including contract review, negotiation, administration, and risk assessment. Establish policies, procedures, and controls to ensure consistency and effectiveness in contract governance, legal operations, and corporate governance. Serve as a trusted advisor to executive and department leadership regarding legal obligations, contractual matters, business initiatives, strategic priorities, and organizational risk.
Establish and monitor KPIs related to legal operations, compliance activities, contract management, and strategic initiatives. Provide strategic oversight of the Chief Compliance Officer, aligning compliance, risk management, and legal priorities with the firm's business objectives. Draft, review, negotiate, and oversee client, vendor, employment, technology, and other business agreements. Manage relationships with outside legal counsel, specialized advisors, and regulatory agencies, as appropriate.
Provide guidance regarding employment law matters, business transactions, litigation management, regulatory examinations, and dispute resolution. Lead cross-functional strategic initiatives from concept through implementation, ensuring alignment with firm objectives, measurable outcomes, and successful adoption across the organization. Serve as executive sponsor for special projects identified by the Executive Committee, driving initiatives that support revenue growth, market expansion, service line development, operational scalability, and long-term enterprise value creation.
Monitor emerging legal, regulatory, industry, and market developments that may create opportunities or risks for the firm's strategic objectives while fostering cross-departmental collaboration, accountability, and professional growth. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.
Essential functions and responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Operations Management, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred. Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school required. Minimum of 12-15 years of legal exp