Smith & Wilkinson
SVP, General Counsel – American Eagle Financial Credit Union
Smith & Wilkinson has been retained by American Eagle Financial Credit Union to manage the search for the organization’s first SVP, General Counsel. With $2.6B in assets, 375 team members, and 168,000 members, American Eagle is the largest community credit union in Connecticut and among the largest in New England.
As American Eagle continues its cultural, strategic, and operational transformation, the organization is seeking a senior legal leader to provide deep legal expertise, lead risk-related matters, and contribute to overall organizational success. The SVP, General Counsel will report to the Chief Strategy and Revenue Officer, lead a nine‑person team spanning enterprise risk management and compliance, and partner closely with business leaders across the organization. The role is responsible for identifying, assessing, and managing enterprise-wide risk, leading corporate legal initiatives, and helping shape and administer the credit union’s regulatory and compliance programs.
The ideal candidate is a seasoned legal executive (JD required) with financial services experience and deep expertise in regulatory compliance and enterprise risk management, capable of building credibility with executives, the Board, regulators, and external counsel. They will be a proven people leader and change agent who can anticipate organizational risks at the strategic level, balancing innovation and advancement with an appropriate, well‑informed, and data‑driven risk posture.
Key Responsibilities
Identify, assess, and manage enterprise‑wide risk.
Lead corporate legal initiatives.
Shape and administer regulatory and compliance programs.
Collaborate with business leaders and provide legal counsel.
Manage a nine‑person enterprise risk and compliance team.
Qualifications
JD or equivalent legal qualification required.
Extensive experience in financial services industry.
Deep expertise in regulatory compliance and enterprise risk management.
Strong people‑leader and change‑agent abilities.
Proven ability to build credibility with executives, Board, regulators, and external counsel.
Employment Details Seniority level:
Director
Employment type:
Full‑time
Job function:
Legal, Banking
Location:
Hartford, CT (East Hartford)
Salary:
$375,000.00–$450,000.00 (annual)
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As American Eagle continues its cultural, strategic, and operational transformation, the organization is seeking a senior legal leader to provide deep legal expertise, lead risk-related matters, and contribute to overall organizational success. The SVP, General Counsel will report to the Chief Strategy and Revenue Officer, lead a nine‑person team spanning enterprise risk management and compliance, and partner closely with business leaders across the organization. The role is responsible for identifying, assessing, and managing enterprise-wide risk, leading corporate legal initiatives, and helping shape and administer the credit union’s regulatory and compliance programs.
The ideal candidate is a seasoned legal executive (JD required) with financial services experience and deep expertise in regulatory compliance and enterprise risk management, capable of building credibility with executives, the Board, regulators, and external counsel. They will be a proven people leader and change agent who can anticipate organizational risks at the strategic level, balancing innovation and advancement with an appropriate, well‑informed, and data‑driven risk posture.
Key Responsibilities
Identify, assess, and manage enterprise‑wide risk.
Lead corporate legal initiatives.
Shape and administer regulatory and compliance programs.
Collaborate with business leaders and provide legal counsel.
Manage a nine‑person enterprise risk and compliance team.
Qualifications
JD or equivalent legal qualification required.
Extensive experience in financial services industry.
Deep expertise in regulatory compliance and enterprise risk management.
Strong people‑leader and change‑agent abilities.
Proven ability to build credibility with executives, Board, regulators, and external counsel.
Employment Details Seniority level:
Director
Employment type:
Full‑time
Job function:
Legal, Banking
Location:
Hartford, CT (East Hartford)
Salary:
$375,000.00–$450,000.00 (annual)
#J-18808-Ljbffr