Chief Legal Counsel, U.S. Life Operations

Company: American Amicable Group

Location: Austin, TX

Date Posted: May 22, 2025

Job Information

The Chief Legal Counsel of U.S. Life Operations will be a leadership position responsible for managing the legal team assigned to the U.S. Life Operations and providing legal expertise and strategy in various domains. This position will be at the heart of the legal issues in this business unit and will support the business partners on all legal aspects to maximize protection of legal rights and prevent or minimize exposure to legal liability and other damages.

The U.S. Life Operations is a key sector of activity within iA Financial Group through several of its subsidiaries. This position will direct the legal solutions of this business sector and ensure that objectives are proactively achieved. This will require close relationships with leadership and other business partners and an understanding of their business objectives and strategies.

As a member of the legal management team, this position will provide advice and thought leadership on the strategic goals and priorities of the Legal Services team, as well as certain matters in which the Legal Services team is involved. As a strategic legal advisor to business partners, this position will be expected to stay ahead of key legal developments and regulatory trends that impact the organization’s business strategies, its key stakeholders and the industry as a whole.

Additionally, the person in this role will support the Chief U.S. Counsel and Corporate Secretary in the legal needs of the Companies and will provide support for various intracompany support functions for all U.S. entities.

Essential Duties

  • Be the main point of contact for all the legal needs of the U.S. Life Operations business unit and ensure your team is providing the legal services for this sector in a timely, proactive and business focused manner.
  • Proactively influences, recommends and uses business-orientated solutions while focusing on being client-centric.
  • Collaborates with senior management on key legal initiatives and manages team activities to align with the goals and vision of the U.S. and iA Legal Services teams.
  • Works closely with the Compliance Officer to provide legal support and strategic advice in this sector’s files. This can include positioning with regulators, assisting with the response to regulatory audits and reviews, as well as providing legal commentary and strategy regarding new laws and regulatory consultations.
  • Collaborates with other legal leaders and legal advisors to harmonize practices and ensure consistency in the delivery of legal services within the group.
  • Supports team in carrying out legal mandates for the U.S. Life Operations business unit, such as drafting, reviewing or negotiating contracts entered into for this sector including policy contracts, agency contracts, distribution or marketing agreements and third-party administration agreements.
  • Participating in product and business development processes and implementation, such as the review or development of insurance and financial products and tools.
  • Provides legal advice and services to ensure the Companies comply with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Provides legal expertise in the context of merger & acquisition activities in the life insurance industry.
  • Directs legal strategy to meet the objectives of the organization and deal with changing business priorities.
  • Supports the Chief U.S. Counsel as needed to support U.S. legal operations, including support for legal management issues, operations/process issues, and other responsibilities as assigned.
  • Oversight of litigation involving the Companies, including working with internal counsel, senior management and outside counsel to develop legal and dispute resolution strategies. Also, oversight of the selection, retention, management and evaluation of outside counsel.
  • Conducts negotiations with private parties, governmental agencies, and corporations, and handles highly diversified and complex legal problems involving various fields of law.
  • Supports Chief U.S. Counsel with entity management and governance for the Companies and related U.S. subsidiaries, including the filing of necessary regulatory documents.
  • Prepares reports for meetings of the Board of Directors and/or committees of the Board of the Companies with respect to areas of responsibility.
  • Develops and reviews various corporate policies, procedures and programs.
  • Manages the Companies’ legal functions and staff, including the overall success of hiring, training, coaching, performance management and development.
  • Works closely with senior management and other members of the iA American Warranty Group, American Amicable, Vericity, iA Portfolio Management, IA American Holdings, and other U.S. business teams as assigned.

Education, Work Experience and Training Requirements

  • Juris Doctor Degree.
  • Minimum of 15 years of relevant legal experience, preferably with 10 years in a corporate environment.
  • Experience managing staff in a corporate environment; experience with cost-effective management of outside legal resources.
  • Experience in the life insurance industry is required.
  • Admitted to practice law in at least one state.

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