Sr Legal Counsel VP (Vendor Contracts / Privacy)

We are a hybrid, remote-office company dedicated to growing our talent anywhere!

We have onsite locations in: Sioux Falls, SD,  Phoenix, AZ,  Louisville, KY,  Troy, MI,  Franklin, TN,  Easton, PA.

At Pathward, we take tremendous pride in our purpose to create financial inclusion for all™. We are a financial empowerment company that works with innovators to increase financial availability, choice, and opportunity for all.  We strive to remove barriers that traditional institutions put in the way of financial access, and promote economic mobility by providing responsible, secure, high quality financial products.

We are a team of problem solvers and innovators who celebrate our differences and know that our unique perspectives make us stronger and well-positioned for success.  We celebrate, and embrace, our team members through our *HUMBLE*HUNGRY*SMART  approach, and we believe that we are strongest when we embrace the voices of our employees, customers, partners, and the communities we serve. 

About the Role:

The Legal team at Pathward protects and strengthens the organization through legal expertise and strategic counsel. This role focuses on vendor contract management and privacy/data protection, supporting the enterprise’s third-party risk management and data governance programs.

Pathward is seeking a highly-motivated and experienced attorney with broad-based legal, compliance, and regulatory experience. As Senior Legal Counsel, VP (Vendor Contracts / Privacy), you will provide legal support and advice on matters relating to legislative and regulatory developments, privacy implications regarding financial products and services, vendor contracts and licensing agreements, and all aspects of data protection, including privacy program support, cybersecurity, information technology and related compliance initiatives.

What You Will Do:

• Provide legal support for data privacy, data protection, and cybersecurity programs including development and maintenance of procedures, training, and guidance.
• Monitor and assess effectiveness of internal data protection policies and procedures, including assisting in data subject access requests and security incidents, and recommending amendments as applicable.
• Provide legal advice to business line partners on data protection and privacy laws, compliance, and best practices regarding information technology and information security.
• Deliver broad support for regulatory change management in the financial services industry by providing updates and guidance to the business on the impact of new and changing laws.
• Engage in all aspects of vendor contract review including preparing, adapting, and negotiating data protection contractual clauses and processes in relation to client relationships, third-party vendor agreements and sub-processor agreements; ensure Pathward has appropriate language in place when acting as a data controller and/or data processor, as well as generally advising on agreements, how to mitigate potential risks, and confirm compliance with Company policies and legal regulations.
• Engage as appropriate with key business stakeholders in various lines of business, including IT, Information Security, People & Culture, Treasury, etc. 
• Performs other legal support duties and responsibilities as required, assigned, or requested by the Deputy General Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer.

What You Will Need:

• Juris Doctor degree required, with an active membership to practice in at least one U.S. state.
• 7+ years of legal experience as a practicing attorney in big law firms, governmental agencies, and/or in-house legal/compliance departments.
• Strong preference for demonstrated knowledge and experience in the financial services industry and with publicly traded companies.
• Extensive experience in analyzing, interpreting, and applying state and federal regulations to vendor contracts and privacy programs.
• Working knowledge of privacy related regulations associated with financial institutions. Experience with GDPR and CCPA a plus.
• Experience with drafting complex technology and BaaS agreements.
• Proficient with technology, including Microsoft Office 365 (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Teams).
• Exemplary written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Experience:

• Prior in-house experience at a bank, fintech company, or financial services organization, particularly in privacy or vendor management functions.

Role-Specific Competencies:

• Privacy & Data Awareness: Familiarity with privacy and data protection principles and the ability to apply them practically across commercial relationships and product offerings.
• Vendor & Third-Party Risk Management: Ability to assess and manage legal risk in third-party relationships, including evaluating vendor contracts and supporting enterprise risk management objectives.
• Stakeholder Management: Strong executive presence and demonstrated ability to build excellent relationships and influence stakeholders across business lines.
• Self-Direction: Intellectually curious and self-motivated, with a high level of personal energy, commitment, and ability to work independently.
• Adaptability: Willingness and flexibility to respond to evolving privacy regulations, vendor risk requirements, and organizational needs.

The responsibilities listed above are not all inclusive and may be changed at any time.

Salary range:  $104,000- $174,000

The salary range reflects the minimum and maximum target for a new hire in this role. Individual pay within the range will be determined by multiple factors which can include but are not limited to a candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills, and location. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary for your location during the hiring process. Ranges may be modified in the future.

This role is also eligible for an annual performance-based incentive opportunity.  Pathward offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, including health insurance, 401(k) retirement benefits, life insurance, disability benefits, paid time off, and more.

Don’t have everything listed under qualifications? If you’re excited about this role but your experiences don’t match exactly to everything in the posting, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other Pathward roles. Pathward is an equal employment opportunity employer and considers candidates for roles without regard to their race, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability or any other category protected by law.

Who we are:  

Our commitment to inclusion is woven into our DNA. We believe that we are strongest when we embrace the voices of our employees, customers, partners, and the communities we serve. 

We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, pregnancy, national origin, age (age 40 and over), disability, genetic information, marital status, hair texture or hairstyle, ancestry, service in the uniformed services, protected veteran status, status as a victim of domestic violence or any other class protected by federal, state and local laws.

Please click here to learn more about our benefits and review information about our Privacy Policy, Affirmative Action Plan and other notices. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. For assistance completing an application, please contact a Pathward People & Culture Representative by emailing - [email protected]

Please click here to view Pathward's Applicant Privacy Notice.

Applications will be accepted for a minimum of 3 days after posting, and there is no predetermined date by which applications should be submitted.

Knowingly submitting false information will result in disqualification for consideration of future positions, termination of employment and forfeiture of other rights.

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