LOCATION: Remote based with occasional travel required. Corporate Counsel must be available to work onsite in Tallahassee frequently for the first few months of employment, with travel as needed thereafter.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS AND TEAM: Corporate Counsel will work closely and maintain key relationships with the CEO and Leadership Team providing strategic legal guidance and decision-making. You'll also collaborate with the CFO, VP of Operations, CPO, and CEO in the implementation of the Company’s Compliance Risk Management (“CRM”) program, regulatory updates, and ensuring adherence to legal frameworks such as those from the CFPB or FTC. Close coordination with the Product and Engineering teams is essential for navigating legal and regulatory issues related to product development and technology, while collaboration with Sales and Business Development is vital for due diligence requests. You'll work alongside Finance and Operations teams to align contracts with financial regulations and business strategies. Engaging with executive leadership, including the CEO and CFO, is crucial for advising on legal implications of business decisions and risk management. Additionally, you may coordinate with external counsel for specialized legal matters and interact with the Human Resources team on employment-related legal issues. Other key relationships include the IT and security teams for data privacy and compliance matters. Lastly, you may occasionally interface with regulatory authorities and auditors to ensure the company’s compliance with legal requirements and industry standards.

THE OPPORTUNITY: Corporate Counsel will be pivotal in ensuring our customers and potential customers receive prompt, accurate, and thorough due diligence support. Additionally, you will oversee contract negotiations—both for existing clients requiring renewals and for new clients entering contracts for the first time. Corporate Counsel will serve as the principal driver in implementing, monitoring, managing, and enhancing our internal CRM program, ensuring our organization upholds the highest standards of regulatory and legal compliance.

Specifically, the Corporate Counsel will have responsibility in:

Due Diligence Management

• Leading and coordinating responses to due diligence requests from existing customers and new prospects, ensuring timely and accurate information is provided.
• Developing and maintaining standardized due diligence documentation, including compliance certifications, policy summaries, and security protocols.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams (Product, IT, Sales, and Compliance) to gather necessary information and address customer inquiries related to legal and regulatory compliance.

Contract Negotiations

• Serving as the primary legal point of contact for all contract-related matters, including renewals of existing client contracts and drafting new client agreements.
• Negotiating terms and conditions in line with company goals, policies, and regulatory requirements, balancing business objectives with risk mitigation.
• Coordinating with internal stakeholders (Sales, Finance, Operations) to ensure contract terms are aligned with organizational capabilities and budgets.
• Maintaining organized contract records and overseeing the contract lifecycle management process.

Compliance Risk Management Oversight

• Providing strategic leadership and oversight of the company’s compliance risk management program to ensure alignment with relevant regulations and industry best practices.
• Collaborating with the Compliance Department to update policies and procedures, perform risk assessments, and implement mitigation strategies.
• Monitoring changes in laws and regulations affecting the auto finance industry and communicating potential impact to senior management and operational teams.
• Assisting in developing training programs and materials to promote a culture of compliance within the organization.

Regulatory & Legal Guidance

• Staying current on relevant federal, state, and industry-specific regulations (e.g., CFPB, FTC, state consumer finance laws) to advise on necessary operational or product changes.
• Reviewing marketing materials, proposals, and product features for legal and regulatory compliance.
• Responding to and managing any external audits, regulatory inquiries, or enforcement actions, as needed.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Working closely with leadership to advise on business strategies, risk assessments, and process improvements across all departments.
• Collaborating with Product and Engineering teams on the legal and regulatory implications of new features and service offerings.
• Supporting M&A activities, joint ventures, or strategic partnerships as they arise, performing due diligence and negotiating legal terms.
• Other duties as assigned.

Professional Qualifications:

The following knowledge, skills, education, and experiences are required:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with at least one state bar.
• 5+ years of legal experience, preferably with a combination of law firm and in-house or government regulatory roles.
• Proven track record in contract negotiation, particularly in SaaS, tech, or regulated service environments.
• Demonstrated experience managing or advising on compliance programs in the financial services or auto finance sector, providing counsel with respect to financial service regulatory interaction.
• Familiarity with relevant regulations (e.g., CFPB, FTC, state consumer finance laws, data privacy/security laws).
• Ability to interpret and apply complex regulations to business operations.
• Strong negotiation, drafting, and influencing skills with the ability to simplify legal concepts for non-legal stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, balancing conflicting priorities under tight deadlines.
• Aptitude for identifying potential legal, compliance, and operational risks and formulating comprehensive mitigation strategies.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to foster productive relationships across various departments and work collaboratively with leadership, product teams, finance, sales, human resources, and compliance.

The following knowledge, skills, and experiences are preferred, but not required:

• Comfortable with technology-driven solutions and able to learn new systems quickly; experience with contract management software is a plus.
• Experience supporting M&A activities, joint ventures, or strategic partnerships, including performing due diligence and negotiating legal terms.
• Experience in the financial services or auto finance sector is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with technology-enabled risk management and compliance solutions.
• Experience in supervision of regulated consumer financial services entities.

Why Consider Joining FIS now?

• Corporate Counsel will play a critical role in shaping and implementing our legal and compliance frameworks, directly influencing our success and reputation.
• Opportunity to lead strategic initiatives and collaborate with senior leaders, enhancing both your legal acumen and leadership skills.
• The business is established as the leading provider in its market with major auto lenders and is poised for accelerated growth
• The company's story is one of protecting financial institutions and consumers alike with respect to F&I products
• We offer a comprehensive package, including competitive salary, bonus potential, and a robust benefits program.

The following behaviors are required:

• Strategic Thinking: The ability to think critically and proactively about potential risks and opportunities. A strong understanding of how legal decisions align with and support overall business strategy, and the capacity to anticipate challenges before they arise.
• Attention to Detail: A high level of accuracy and attention to detail is essential, particularly when reviewing contracts, regulatory documents, or compliance materials. Small oversights can have significant legal and financial implications.
• Strong Communication Skills: The ability to communicate complex legal concepts in clear, accessible terms for non-legal stakeholders. This includes excellent written and verbal communication skills for advising, negotiating, and influencing across various departments.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: A collaborative mindset, with the ability to work seamlessly with cross-functional teams, including senior leadership, finance, sales, IT, compliance, and other departments. Building and maintaining strong, productive relationships with team members and stakeholders is key.
• Problem Solving and Decision Making: The ability to identify legal issues and propose clear, actionable solutions. You should be able to make informed decisions under pressure, balancing legal risks with business objectives.
• Adaptability and Flexibility: The ability to thrive in a fast-paced, constantly evolving environment. This includes being comfortable with ambiguity and change, and the willingness to shift priorities or approaches as needed.
• Ethical Integrity: A strong sense of ethics and professional integrity is vital, as you will be handling sensitive legal matters and ensuring that the company complies with regulatory standards. Upholding the highest standards of legal and ethical conduct in all dealings is expected.
• Client Service Orientation: A focus on delivering high-quality service to internal clients, including leadership and various departments. Understanding the needs of internal stakeholders and working to address them with efficiency and professionalism.
• Resilience and Stress Management: The ability to handle high-pressure situations, manage conflicting priorities, and maintain a positive and composed attitude even during challenging periods.
• Confidentiality and Discretion: Given the nature of legal work, maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive information with discretion is paramount. This includes safeguarding company data, client information, and internal legal strategies.

F&I Sentinel is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.