Purpose
:
Reporting to the Bank’s President-CEO, the General Counsel will serve as the FHLBI’s chief in-house counsel and as a key member of the leadership team, exemplifying visionary and adaptive leadership. The General Counsel is also responsible to ensure that both the Bank and its Board of Directors maintain compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements and related governance.The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to the job.
They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities or abilities required of persons so classified. The Bank reserves the right to alter or amend this description at any time.
Specific Responsibilities
:
- Lead corporate strategic and tactical legal initiatives, anticipate legal issues, and estimate risks strategically, proactively identifying creative solutions to complex problems that will mitigate risks.
- Stay current on legal developments potentially impacting the Bank and advise the President-CEO and senior management, accordingly, advising on legal matters affecting the Bank’s operations, its member institutions, and Board of Directors’ activities. This includes making recommendations on establishing or changing policies or procedures.
- Manage Corporate Secretary and oversee Board-related matters, including regulatory compliance and governance.
- Provide oversight, management and development of the Bank’s Legal department and maintain a disciplined focus on the Bank’s goals, aligning the Legal department’s activities in order to meet those goals.
- Oversee legal review of contracts, insurance procurement for the Bank and Bank policies and procedures.
- Recommend, retain, monitor, supervise and coordinate the activities of both in-house and outside legal counsel (in consultation with the Chief HR Officer on employment law matters), to assist in general Bank policy, and legal matters.
- Work with System General Counsels to assist in interpretation and application of legal, regulatory and agency guidance, as well as participation in System efforts relating to regulatory development.
- Develops staff through performance management, goal setting, training, and effective employee relations. Oversees quality and quantity of work produced, ensuring employees are held accountable and expectations are consistently met.
Competencies:
Business
General
People
Negotiation Skills
Customer Focus
Leadership
Organizational Savvy
Strategic Thinking/Management
Budget/Cost Control
Position Requirements
:
- Juris Doctor from an accredited law school with an active license to practice law. Advanced degree in business, finance or accounting is a plus.
- Minimum of fifteen (15) years of corporate and/or private practice law experience and a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of in-house counsel.
- Experience with financial institutions, regulatory matters, debt issuance and/or corporate governance required. At least foundational litigation or dispute management skills also desired.
- Knowledge of banking practices, commercial and corporate law, accounting, and SEC reporting preferred, though not required. Familiarity with or prior experience in the Federal Home Loan Bank System will be considered an advantage. Knowledge of federal housing programs or community/economic development will also be a plus.
- Excellent written/verbal communication skills and a positive history of building relationships with internal clients and external constituents (e.g. board of directors, regulators, etc.), with an ability to create associations of trust and respect with key stakeholders.
- Ability to work proactively and collaboratively across multiple departments and establish and maintain effective relationships with key members of management and staff. Able to evaluate and weigh multiple inputs and the impact of various decisions and courses of action.
- Proven leadership ability with experience overseeing the development and management of a legal team.
- High emotional intelligence, strategic thinker, with an ability to be agile, creative, resourceful, proactive, and results-oriented.
- Must be collaborative and a team player.
- Extensive legal, management, organizational, administrative, and finance expertise will be a distinct advantage.
- Ability to uphold and model the Bank’s Guiding Principles.
