VP, Legal

The Vice President of Legal will serve as a key leader in our organization, overseeing all legal matters, providing strategic legal guidance, and ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. This role will involve managing a team of legal professionals and collaborating closely with executive leadership to protect and advance the company's legal interests. The Vice President of Legal will be a hands-on leader and play a critical role in shaping the company's legal strategy, managing risk, and supporting business growth.

How You’ll Do It

Legal Leadership, Strategy, and Execution

• Develop and execute the company's legal strategy, aligning it with overall business goals and objectives.
• Provide proactive legal research and counsel to executive leadership and other key stakeholders on a wide range of legal issues, including contracts, compliance, intellectual property, employment law and employee relations, and litigation.
• Stay up-to-date of changes in laws and regulations that could impact the company's operations and provide guidance on necessary adjustments.
• Manage the legal department's budget, resources, and external legal counsel relationships.
• Oversee a small team and execute on day-to-day operations associated with Pie’s corporate legal function, including mergers & acquisitions (M&A), corporate governance, taxes, capital fundraising (private equity and venture capital), securities, shareholders, and company law.  
• Act as Equity Plan administrator.

Team Management

• Lead and mentor a team of legal professionals, fostering their professional growth and development.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the legal department, ensuring efficient and effective legal support to all areas of the business.
• Active participation and collaboration with the legal team to draft, review, and negotiate a variety of contracts and agreements, including commercial and financial transactions, customer agreements, distribution partner agreements, employment and consulting agreements, and other company agreements. Partner closely with Finance and Enterprise Tech as part of an organization-wide Procurement process. 
• Develop and implement best practices, policies, and procedures to streamline legal operations.
• Choose and oversee outside counsel as necessary.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure the company's compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, proactively identifying and mitigating legal risks.
• Lead the company’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program, and collaborate closely with other senior leaders to ensure compliance across all teams. 
• Manage regulatory filings, licenses, and permits to ensure compliance with industry-specific requirements.
• Develop and oversee the company's ethics and compliance program, promoting a culture of ethics and integrity throughout the organization. Maintain the corporate compliance program, code of conduct, privacy program, review, investigate and report on whistleblower actions, and prepare training.
• Oversee investigations and responses to legal disputes, including litigation and alternative dispute resolution.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including executive leadership, to understand their legal needs and provide strategic guidance.
• Collaborate with external partners, including outside counsel and regulatory agencies, as needed to represent the company's interests.
• Act as the primary point of contact for legal matters and provide regular updates to the executive team and the Board of Directors.
• Act as Corporate Secretary, keeping minutes, drafting and preparing resolutions, maintain corporate records, advise others on matters related to corporate governance.

The Right Stuff

• Bachelor's Degree and a Juris Doctor degree (JD) from an accredited law school is required. 
• An active membership in good standing with the Bar Association is required. Must be admitted to the Bar Association in the state where you practice.
• A minimum of 10 years of legal experience, with a significant portion in a leadership role within a corporate legal department or law firm.
• An  understanding and experience working in the insurance industry is required. P&C insurance experience, especially commercial lines and reinsurance, is highly preferred. 
• Strong expertise in contract law, corporate governance, intellectual property, employment law, and regulatory compliance.
• Proven experience managing and developing legal teams, with a track record of successful leadership.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to convey complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound legal judgments and provide practical solutions to complex legal issues.
• Experience in industries subject to heavy regulation is a plus.
• Familiarity with legal technology and tools to enhance department efficiency is preferred.

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