DIRECTOR OF LEGAL

Universal Insurance

$125K — $150K *
Legal & Accounting
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
  • 5-7 years of corporate/commercial and employment law experience, preferably in-house.
  • Expertise in multistate employment law and guiding HR functions.
  • Proven track record in drafting and negotiating a variety of commercial agreements.
  • Knowledge of property and casualty insurance or financial services is preferred.
  • Strong ability to assess legal risks and develop business-focused solutions.
  • Fluent in English, with Spanish language skills as a plus.

Responsibilities

  • Act as the primary legal advisor to HR on multistate employment law issues.
  • Review employment policies and documents for compliance with legal standards.
  • Draft, review, and negotiate corporate agreements and contracts.
  • Provide practical legal advice to business leaders while assessing risks.
  • Independently manage ongoing legal matters and coordinate with stakeholders.
  • Research and interpret legal developments affecting business operations.
  • Support the Compliance team on regulatory inquiries and audits.

Benefits

  • Collaborative and supportive work environment.
  • Opportunities for professional growth and development.
  • Access to legal and compliance training resources.
  • A role that significantly impacts business operations and strategy.
Full Job Description
General Description:

The Director of Legal serves as a senior attorney within One Alliance North America's Legal & Compliance Department, with primary responsibility for corporate and commercial legal matters and multistate employment law. The Director provides practical, business-focused legal guidance to Human Resources and other business functions, drafts and negotiates commercial agreements, and advises stakeholders on legal risks associated with business operations and transactions.

The person in this role is expected to independently manage assigned legal matters, exercise sound legal judgment, and work collaboratively with the VP of Legal & Compliance, Human Resources, Compliance, business leaders, outside counsel, and other stakeholders. The Director also provides legal research, interpretation, and support on regulatory and compliance matters as needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Serve as the primary legal advisor to Human Resources on multistate employment law matters, including employee relations, leaves and accommodations, wage and hour requirements, investigations, disciplinary actions, terminations, and other employment-related matters.

Review and provide legal guidance regarding employment policies, Employee Handbooks, employment agreements, separation agreements, and other employment-related documents to support compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Draft, review, and negotiate corporate and commercial agreements, including insurance-related agreements, vendor and technology agreements, nondisclosure agreements, and other contracts supporting Company operations.

Provide practical, business-focused legal advice to Company leaders and business units by identifying and evaluating legal and contractual risks and recommending appropriate solutions consistent with the Company's objectives and risk tolerance.

Independently manage assigned legal matters, contract negotiations, administrative claims, disputes, and litigation matters; coordinate with internal stakeholders and outside counsel and escalate significant legal or business risks to the VP of Legal & Compliance as appropriate.

Monitor relevant legal developments and provide legal research, interpretation, and guidance regarding employment, corporate, regulatory, licensing, and governance matters affecting Company operations.

Provide legal support to the Compliance team regarding regulatory matters, inquiries, audits, examinations, and other compliance-related activities as requested, while working collaboratively with Compliance and other departments.

Maintain appropriate legal and contract documentation within the Company's contract management system in accordance with established procedures and ensure assigned matters are appropriately documented and followed through to completion.

Perform other duties as required.

Supplemental Information:

This job description has been prepared to indicate the general nature and level of the work that the employees perform within their classification. This description is not and cannot be interpreted as an inventory of all the duties, tasks, responsibilities and qualifications required for the employees assigned to this job.

Education and/or Experience:

Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.

Minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of relevant legal experience, with demonstrated experience in corporate/commercial and employment law. In-house corporate legal experience is preferred.

Demonstrated experience advising on multistate employment law matters and providing practical legal guidance to Human Resources and business leaders.

Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial agreements and independently managing contract negotiations.

Experience within or advising clients in the property and casualty insurance, insurance, insurtech, brokerage, or financial services industries is preferred.

Ability to analyze complex legal and business issues, assess risk, exercise independent legal judgment, and provide practical recommendations.

Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and legal matters independently.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate legal concepts and risks to non-legal stakeholders and senior leadership.

Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills with the ability to work effectively across departments and with outside counsel and other external parties.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and applicable legal and contract-management systems, including Legisway.

Licenses and / or Certifications:

Florida Bar Membership is required.

Language:

Effective ability to communicate in English orally and in written form with management, internal and external customers, including ability to provide highly effective customer service. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, procedures, or regulations. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from internal and external business partners /customers. Spanish speaking skills are a plus, but not required.

Math Skills:

General mathematical skills as required from general educational studies.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be complied with by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee may be required to sit in front of a computer monitor for long periods of time, generally for 6 to 8 hours each workday, with employee being able to take breaks throughout the day as necessary.

The work is in the office and is considered a sedentary position. It may require occasional walking and standing in addition to sitting at a desk. It may require lifting of items, but at any time no more than 10-20 pounds typically.

Work Environment:

The characteristics of the work environment here described are those that represent what the employee does while he/she performs the essential duties of the job. The company can reasonably accommodate disabled employees so that they can accomplish the essential functions of the job.

For on-site employees, the work is done in the interior of the building at normal temperature, air conditioning, good illumination, clean areas with minimal risks.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Off-site employees are exposed to temperature changes and moderate noise levels.

Competencies:

Adaptability

This competency measures employees' ability to understand the purpose behind change. Employees with adaptability understand that any change needs to be communicated with a comprehensive approach to facilitate the process of adjustment. These employees can be flexible and work in a wide variety of situations, with individuals or groups. They effectively modify their behaviors to manage change. They understand and appreciate differences and opposite perspectives. Adaptable employees understand how the ability of accepting and managing change makes possible the accomplishment of organizational objectives.

Application of functional and organizational knowledge

This competency is focused on employees' technical and organizational knowledge and how these are applied for the benefit of the organization. Employees possess the skills and knowledge required for the position; and perform their duties competently. They align their own behaviors with the needs, priorities and objectives of the organization and act in such a way as to promote the company's objectives and needs. They perform tasks within given time, avoid unnecessary interruptions and plan their time to comply with standards and achieve desired results. They understand how their decisions impact the organization. They demonstrate the ability to apply their knowledge in everyday situations to obtain expected results. They show interest in developing new knowledge and skills. They are considered a learning resource for their teammates.

Strategic and analytical capabilities

This competency focuses on the skills that allow employees to anticipate future situations (advantages and threats) by performing a series of planned actions and by making decisions that are beneficial to the business. Employees with this competency are able to analyze and understand situations from several perspectives. They demonstrate the ability to organize a problem or situation in a systematic way and can establish comparisons from different angles. They recommend action plans to meet objectives of the organization without losing perspective of its mission and vision.

Communication and interpersonal relationships

This competency is focused on the employees' ability to transmit clear ideas to customers, colleagues and leaders to facilitate the communication process and to achieve the goals of the team. Employees with strong communication and interpersonal skills are able to listen carefully to understand the information and can respond with empathy. They promote an environment of professional respect which helps to maintain excellent working relationships.

Leadership and human development

The competency of leadership and human development is focused on having the ability which allows individuals to influence, support and direct others. Leaders that demonstrate this competency are able to identify strengths and opportunities in their employees. They provide a work environment where employees can turn their abilities and potential into action. They also create development plans for the continuity of learning of their team. They promote the effective achievement of results. These leaders communicate objectives and provide feedback on team members' demonstrated ability to meet these goals in a timely and clear manner to maximize their performance. They recognize errors, learn from their mistakes and take corrective action.

Personal accountability and resources administration

This competency focuses on employees' demonstrated commitment and dedication to their obligations. Employees fulfill their duties in a variety of situations at work. They show responsibility in abiding by policies and regulations governing the business. They show skills to administer entrusted resources with responsibility and care.

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