Director, Internal Legal Counsel & Regulatory Compliance

ABOUT ACCC

American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) is a nationally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping consumers achieve financial stability through credit counseling, debt management, financial education and housing services.

As a regulated nonprofit operating across multiple jurisdictions, ACCC is committed to legal integrity, regulatory compliance, consumer protection and organizational accountability.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director, Internal Legal Counsel & Regulatory Compliance serves as ACCC's primary in-house legal resource and a key strategic partner to executive leadership. The position's primary responsibility is to provide practical legal counsel on organizational, operational, contractual, employment, governance and business matters while identifying and mitigating legal risk.

In addition to its legal responsibilities, this position is directly responsible for administering and performing ACCC's regulatory compliance functions. This is a hands-on role that combines strategic planning and risk assessment with the day-to-day execution of compliance activities, including multistate licensing, regulatory filings, regulatory monitoring, examinations, compliance policies and procedures, monitoring, testing and reporting.

The successful candidate will be a business-minded attorney who can independently manage legal matters, translate complex legal and regulatory requirements into practical solutions, and personally execute critical compliance responsibilities. The individual will work closely with the CCRO, executive leadership and department leaders to protect

ACCC's legal interests and maintain an effective compliance program.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Internal Legal Counsel – Primary Responsibility

• Serve as ACCC's primary in-house legal counsel, providing timely, practical advice to the CEO, COO, CCRO, CFO and department leaders on legal obligations, business decisions and organizational matters.
• Research, interpret and advise on applicable federal and state laws and regulations, particularly those affecting consumer financial services, debt management, credit counseling, consumer protection and nonprofit organizations.
• Draft, review and negotiate contracts, vendor and service agreements, client agreements, disclosures, partnership agreements and other legal documents.
• Advise on corporate governance, nonprofit matters, conflicts of interest, Board activities and organizational policies.
• Provide legal guidance on strategic initiatives, operational changes, new products and services, technology investments and third-party relationships.
• Advise on employment-related legal matters in coordination with Human Resources and outside employment counsel, as appropriate.
• Support legal responses to consumer complaints, regulatory inquiries, investigations, threatened claims and litigation.
• Coordinate litigation support, document preservation, legal holds, discovery and other legal matters with relevant departments and outside counsel.
• Engage and manage outside counsel when specialized expertise is required, including coordinating legal strategy, scope, budgets and deliverables.
• Identify and communicate potential legal exposure, recommend risk mitigation strategies, and maintain appropriate confidentiality and attorney-client privilege.

2. Regulatory Compliance – Direct Management & Execution

Personally manage and perform ACCC's regulatory compliance activities, ensuring that applicable requirements are identified, implemented, monitored and documented.

Responsibilities include:

• Administer multistate debt management licenses, charitable registrations, business registrations and related regulatory requirements.
• Maintain the regulatory inventory and compliance calendar and personally prepare, coordinate and submit required renewals, filings and regulatory reports.
• Monitor federal and state regulatory developments, assess their impact on ACCC and implement necessary compliance changes.
• Conduct compliance monitoring and testing, identify deficiencies, document findings and manage corrective actions.
• Coordinate regulatory examinations, inquiries, information requests and responses to regulatory agencies.
• Develop, maintain and update compliance policies, procedures, controls and supporting documentation.
• Maintain ACCC's Compliance Management System (CMS) and related compliance records.
• Review regulatory and consumer complaints, identify trends and implement or recommend appropriate corrective actions.
• Develop and deliver regulatory compliance training and employee awareness initiatives.
• Perform third-party compliance reviews and vendor due diligence, as applicable.
• Prepare compliance metrics, reports and updates for the CCRO and executive leadership.
• Work directly with department leaders to address compliance requirements and implement necessary operational changes.
• 3. Legal, Regulatory & Enterprise Risk Management
• Partner with the CCRO and executive leadership to identify, evaluate and address material legal, regulatory and operational risks.
• Assess proposed business practices, policies, products and operational changes for legal and regulatory implications.
• Recommend and implement improvements to internal controls, compliance processes and organizational policies.
• Collaborate with Human Resources, Finance, IT, Operations and other departments to resolve legal and compliance issues.
• Support organizational risk assessments, regulatory readiness and business continuity initiatives.
• Maintain appropriate documentation and escalate significant legal or regulatory concerns through established leadership and governance channels.
• Promote a culture of ethical conduct, accountability and organizational integrity.

Requirements

• Required: Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Active bar membership in good standing and authorization to practice as in-house counsel in Massachusetts, including any required registration or authorization.
• Minimum of five years of progressive legal experience in a law firm, corporate legal department or in-house counsel environment.
• Demonstrated experience providing legal advice, conducting legal research, drafting and negotiating contracts, and assessing legal and business risks.
• Experience interpreting and applying federal and state laws and regulations.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and independent professional judgment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex legal and regulatory matters into practical guidance.
• Ability to independently manage multiple priorities and work effectively with executive leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, discretion and sound ethical judgment.
• Preferred: Experience in financial services, banking, consumer finance, mortgage lending, credit counseling, debt management or another regulated industry.
• Prior in-house counsel experience advising executive leadership and business operations.
• Experience with nonprofit organizations, corporate governance and Board matters.
• Hands-on experience administering multistate licensing, regulatory filings, compliance monitoring and regulatory examinations.
• Knowledge of consumer financial protection laws, privacy, data security and thirdparty risk management.
• Experience managing outside counsel and legal budgets.
• Compliance certifications such as CRCM, CCEP or similar credentials.
• CORE COMPETENCIES
• Legal analysis, judgment and business-oriented problem-solving.
• Contract drafting, negotiation and legal risk assessment.
• Regulatory interpretation and hands-on compliance administration.
• Strategic thinking combined with tactical execution.
• Corporate governance and organizational integrity.
• Executive communication and cross-functional collaboration.
• Confidentiality, discretion and ethical conduct.
• Organization, prioritization and attention to detail.
• Success Measures
• Performance will be evaluated based on: Legal Counsel
• Timely, practical and effective legal guidance to executive leadership and department leaders.
• Effective contract review, drafting and negotiation.
• Identification, communication and appropriate mitigation of legal risks.
• Effective management of outside counsel and legal matters.
• Timely support for litigation, investigations, regulatory inquiries and governance matters.
• Regulatory Compliance
• Timely and accurate completion of applicable regulatory filings, license renewals and reporting requirements.
• Accurate and current regulatory inventory and compliance calendar.
• Effective preparation for and response to regulatory examinations.
• Timely identification and implementation of regulatory changes.
• Completion and documentation of compliance monitoring, testing and corrective actions.
• Current and effective compliance policies, procedures and supporting documentation.
• Accurate and timely compliance reporting to the CCRO and executive leadership.
• Organizational Partnership
• Strong working relationships with executive leadership and department leaders.
• Effective communication of legal and regulatory risks.
• Practical solutions that support informed business decisions.
• Consistent promotion of legal, regulatory and ethical accountability.

MA Pay Transparency Salary Range: $170k- $180k

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Nothing in this job description is intended to create a contractual obligation or to modify an employee’s employment at will status.

The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

If you need assistance or accommodation during the application process due to a disability, please contact HR@consumercredit.com