Counsel - Contracts

State Employees' Credit Union; Raleigh, Northern (NC, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

State Employees' Credit Union seeks a Staff Counsel I - Contracts to review, draft, and negotiate SECU contracts, shaping vendor relationships and risk management. You will work with senior counsel to develop guidelines, templates, and approved language for ongoing contract administration.

The role requires legal education and NC Bar eligibility, with a focus on transactional law and client-focused support.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and NC Bar eligibility within 1 year.
• At least 1 year of relevant experience in a law firm or corporate legal department.
• Strong knowledge of transactional and corporate law.
• Excellent reading, language, and communication skills.

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.
• Provide practical legal advice to business units to support risk management and decision making.
• Liaise with outside counsel as necessary on transactional matters and stay informed on latest legal developments impacting SECU’s contracts.

Skills

Contract review

Negotiation

Legal drafting

Risk management

Communication

Education

J.D. degree

Bachelor's degree

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 objective.
• 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.

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

State Employees' Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative with a 'Do the Right Thing' mission and a goal of helping people in our community.

SECU values the differences in our staff and in our North Carolina communities.

We believe that embracing the uniqueness of individuals makes our cooperative stronger, more innovative and better able to serve SECU members.