Counsel - Contracts

State Employees' Credit Union (SECU); Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

State Employees' Credit Union (SECU) seeks a Staff Counsel I - Contracts to join the Legal Services team in Raleigh, NC. The role focuses on reviewing, drafting, and negotiating SECU contracts to protect the organization and minimize risk in vendor relationships.

The position requires a J.D. from an accredited law school, NC Bar eligibility within one year, and at least one year of relevant experience in corporate law, with strong reading, communication, and organizational skills.

Qualifications

• J.D. degree from an accredited law school.
• Admission to North Carolina Bar or eligibility for admission within one year of employment.
• At least one year of relevant experience in a law firm or corporate legal department.
• Working knowledge of transactional and general corporate law.
• Excellent reading and language comprehension skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to organize work, prioritize multiple tasks, and perform routine duties independently.
• Highest level of integrity and objectivity.
• Ability to remain flexible and adapt to changing departmental demands.
• Must be able to speak English fluently.

Responsibilities

• Review, draft, and negotiate SECU contracts to optimize SECU’s position and minimize risks in vendor relationships.
• Develop and implement contract review guidelines and procedures for all SECU commercial agreements.
• Assist with developing standardized documents, templates, and clauses to streamline contract management processes.
• Provide practical legal advice to business units to facilitate risk management.
• Liaise with outside counsel as necessary on transactional matters.
• Stay abreast of the latest legal developments impacting SECU’s commercial agreements and vendor relationships.
• Work independently and on a time-sensitive basis while managing competing priorities.
• Accept special projects and perform other tasks as assigned.

Skills

Reading comprehension

Communication skills

Task prioritization

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college

Job description

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

PURPOSE:

Staff Counsel I - Contracts will be an integral part of the operation of the Legal Services team and will be responsible for reviewing and negotiating SECU contracts.

DUTIES:

Work closely with the Contracts team, including the Deputy General Counsel, Associate General Counsel and Senior Staff Counsel to develop and implement contract review guidelines and procedures for all SECU commercial agreements.

Review, draft, and negotiate SECU contracts to optimize SECU’s position and minimize the risks posed in SECU’s vendor relationships.

Assist with developing standardized documents, templates, and clauses to streamline contract management processes.

Provide practical legal advice to business units to facilitate, improve, and strengthen operational decision-making and risk management.

Liaise with outside counsel as necessary on transactional or other matters.

Stay abreast of the latest legal developments impacting SECU’s commercial agreements and vendor relationships.

Act in a professional manner on and off the job and be courteous and discreet in the performance of duties and hold information in strict confidence.

Work independently and on a time-sensitive basis while managing competing priorities.

Accept special projects and perform other tasks as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

J.D. degree from an accredited law school; four-year degree from an accredited college or university.

Admission to North Carolina Bar or eligibility for admission within one (1) year of employment.

At least one (1) year of relevant experience in a law firm or corporate legal department.

Working knowledge of transactional and general corporate law.

Excellent reading and language comprehension skills with attention to detail.

Excellent communication and customer service skills.

Ability to organize work, prioritize multiple tasks, and perform routine duties independently.

Highest level of integrity and objectivity.

Ability to remain flexible and adapt to changing departmental demands.

Must be able to speak English fluently.

Ability to cooperate and collaborate with co-workers and be cordial in all interactions with co-workers and vendors.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Experience in a position involving contract management or legal services.

Knowledge of commercial contract drafting and negotiation.

JOB ENVIRONMENT:

Office setting with physical proximity to other employees; some background noise from other employees, copy machine, and telephone.

Ability to work in Credit Union's office in Raleigh, NC at least three (3) days per week.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Must be able to comprehend phone calls and carry out verbal and written instructions.

May require a substantial amount of sitting.

Must be able to use hands and fingers to press keys on a computer keyboard to enter or retrieve information or press telephone key pad and lift receiver.

Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds.

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.