Compliance Counsel I

State Employees' Credit Union (SECU); Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

State Employees' Credit Union (SECU) in Raleigh, NC seeks a Compliance Counsel I to join the second-line Regulatory Compliance team within Risk Management. You will help ensure adherence to applicable state and federal laws and regulations through reviews, research, and collaboration across SECU’s departments.

The role requires a Juris Doctor degree and NC bar eligibility, with 0–3 years of experience in a large credit union or bank or law firm serving financial institutions.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Bar license in North Carolina or ability to obtain within a reasonable time.
• 0-3 years of progressive experience in-house counsel in a compliance-related field for financial institutions.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws affecting credit unions and banks (NCUA, CFPB).
• Strong legal research, writing, and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple assignments.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing departmental demands.
• Strong interpersonal skills for collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Regulatory Compliance Reviews and Research: review compliance materials to ensure adherence to laws.
• Regulatory research for questions from leadership and business lines.
• Prepare summaries of regulatory activities and industry developments.
• Develop relationships to stay current on emerging issues and requirements.
• Regulatory Compliance Complaint Reviews: assist in reviewing complaints and assess compliance risks.
• Vendor Reviews: assist with risk-based reviews and due diligence for vendors.
• Interdepartmental Collaboration: support cross-team processes and align with SECU goals.
• Audit and Examination Assistance: support audits and exam prep as needed.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Verbal communication

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Interpersonal skills

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

North Carolina Bar

Job description

If you are motivated and believe in the credit union philosophy of "People Helping People," join our team!

Position Overview:

The Compliance Counsel I role sits in the second line Regulatory Compliance team within Risk Management and is responsible for helping ensure the Credit Union's compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

Essential Responsibilities:

• (40%) - Regulatory Compliance Reviews and Research
• Assist with reviewing compliance-related materials, including but not limited to, disclosures, training, marketing and advertising materials, and other member-facing materials to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Research questions for compliance with applicable laws and regulations as requested by Compliance Senior Leadership and the Credit Union's various business lines.
• Prepare summaries regarding regulatory activities, changes, and industry developments to identify new regulations, trends and emerging issues that may impact the Credit Union, including but not limited to consumer protection regulations and HR- and employment-related regulatory activities.
• Develop and maintain active relationships within professional networks to stay current on emerging issues and regulatory requirements.
• (25%) - Regulatory Compliance Complaint Reviews
• Assist with reviewing complaints with regulatory impact and provide feedback regarding compliance-based risks through effective challenge.
• (15%) - Vendor Reviews
• Assist with compliance risk-based reviews of new and existing vendor relationships and provide recommendations on any additional due diligence that may be required.
• (10%) - Interdepartmental and Cross-Team Collaboration
  • Work collaboratively with and support team members, including but not limited to sharing legal and other expertise, actively participate in team and departmental meetings, and be willing to pivot tasks based on shifts in priorities.
  • Assist with fostering business line partnerships across SECU, helping to provide support on departmental first line processes and compliance risk as needed, ensuring compliance efforts are aligned with SECU's goals and values.
  • Provide compliance support for questions, initiatives, or other issues arising from HR-employee development- and other employee-related issues.
• (10%) - Audit and Examination Assistance
• Assist Compliance Senior Leadership with audits and examinations as needed, helping to ensure audit or exam preparatory needs are met.

Required Education & Experience (Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities):

• Juris Doctor degree from accredited law school. License to practice law in North Carolina or able to obtain within a reasonable time, and in good standing with state bar.
• 0-3 years of progressive experience as in-house counsel in a compliance-related field at a large credit union or bank, or as an attorney in a law firm that provided direct and substantial compliance related services to credit unions, banks, or financial institutions on a variety of consumer products and services.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws, and regulations affecting state-chartered, federally insured credit unions, banks, and other financial institutions (especially those promulgated by the National Credit Union Administration and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau), such as: TILA, RESPA, HMDA, FCRA, FDCPA, SCRA, SAFE Act, ECOA, TISA, Regulation CC, EFTA, ESIGN, CDD Rule, and UDAAP.
• Strong legal research and writing skills, and excellent verbal communication abilities.
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to manage multiple assignments efficiently.
• Ability to remain flexible and adapt to changing departmental demands.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to cooperate and collaborate with co-workers and be cordial in all interactions with co-workers and other employees.

Preferred Education & Experience (Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities):

• Compliance certifications such as the ACU Credit Union Compliance Officer (CUCO) designation and/or the ACU Certified Credit Union HR Compliance Professional (CHRCP) designation, or the willingness to earn in a reasonable time period.
• Basic understanding of the Credit Union's products, services, and systems.

Job Environment & Physical Requirements:

• Hybrid expectations.
• Sitting for prolonged periods of time.
• Computer use for long periods of time.

SECU provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other classification protected by law.

Disclaimer

State Employees' Credit Union reserves the right to fill this role at a higher/lower level based on business need.