Director Product Counsel

Candescent; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Candescent is seeking an experienced and business‑minded Director, Product & Regulatory Counsel to lead legal support for our product, governance, privacy, and emerging technology initiatives. This highly visible leadership role serves as a strategic advisor to executive leadership, product management, engineering, information security, and compliance teams.

The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in banking and fintech with a practical, solutions‑oriented approach.

Qualifications

• Legal leadership across product lifecycle and governance.
• Experience with fintech/SaaS regulatory requirements.
• Strong drafting and negotiation of complex agreements.
• Ability to translate legal concepts into actionable business guidance.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal guidance across product lifecycle.
• Advise on regulatory requirements for digital banking, payments, data, AI, and emerging tech.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and international laws and standards.
• Lead and mentor a team of international attorneys.
• Partner with Product, Engineering, Security, Compliance and business stakeholders.

Skills

Juris Doctor

State Bar membership

7+ years experience

Regulatory governance

Contract drafting

Executive communication

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Bar admission (US)

Job description

Candescent is a forward-thinking technology company transforming how financial institutions deliver Intelligent Banking experiences. We unite digital banking, account opening, and branch solutions that power and connect digital banking, account opening, and branch solutions—creating seamless engagement across digital, remote, and in-person channels.

Our Experience‑Led, Intelligence‑Driven approach combines human‑centered design with data, automation, and cloud‑based innovation. Built on an API‑first architecture, our extensible ecosystem enables institutions to adapt quickly, integrate easily, and unlock new opportunities for growth—turning every customer interaction into a moment of clarity, confidence, and connection.

Candescent is seeking an experienced and business‑minded Director, Product & Regulatory Counsel to lead legal support for our product, governance, privacy, and emerging technology initiatives. This highly visible leadership role serves as a strategic advisor to executive leadership, product management, engineering, information security, and compliance teams, helping ensure that our products and business operations meet evolving legal and regulatory requirements within the financial services industry.

The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in banking and fintech with a practical, solutions‑oriented approach. This leader will drive legal governance programs, oversee artificial intelligence (AI) governance initiatives, lead regulatory compliance for products, and manage a team of international attorneys. The role requires exceptional judgment, strong relationship‑building skills, and the ability to translate complex legal concepts into actionable business guidance.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables

Product & Regulatory Counsel

• Partner closely with Product, Engineering, Security, Compliance, and business stakeholders to provide strategic legal guidance throughout the product lifecycle.
• Advise on regulatory requirements impacting digital banking products, payment solutions, customer data, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies.
• Ensure products and business practices comply with applicable federal, state, and international laws, regulations, and industry standards.

Partnerships

• Lead negotiation and drafting of strategic technology, integration, and partnership agreements.
• Collaborate with business partners to align legal, technical, operational, and commercial objectives in complex transactions.
• Develop and maintain contract templates, legal standards, and negotiation playbooks to support scalable growth.

Governance & Emerging Technology

• Oversee regulatory compliance; lead team focused on AI and privacy compliance
• Oversee developing, implementing, and maintain AI policies, standards, and governance frameworks.
• Manage the company’s AI inventory and risk assessment processes.
• Partner with Information Security, Product, Compliance, and Technology leaders to evaluate AI‑related risks and opportunities.
• Serve as a key member of the AI Governance Committee and support executive and Board‑level reporting on AI governance activities.

Privacy & Data Protection

• Develop and maintain global privacy policies, procedures, and compliance frameworks.
• Advise on data protection obligations related to products, vendors, customers, and partners.
• Draft and negotiate Data Processing Agreements (DPAs), privacy terms, and related documentation.
• Monitor and assess emerging privacy regulations and provide guidance on compliance requirements.

Governance & Risk Management

• Lead enterprise risk‑management effort
• Create and maintain practical legal playbooks, guidance documents, and training materials covering product risk, privacy, AI governance, and commercial contracting.
• Identify legal and regulatory risks and develop mitigation strategies that align with business objectives.
• Support enterprise governance initiatives and cross‑functional compliance programs.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of international attorneys.
• Foster a collaborative, high‑performing culture focused on business partnership and service excellence.
• Provide strategic legal counsel directly to executive leadership and senior stakeholders across the organization.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. State Bar.
• 7+ years of experience as Product Counsel, Technology Counsel, Privacy Counsel, Governance Counsel, or a related legal role.
• Demonstrated experience supporting technology products, SaaS platforms, fintech solutions, or regulated financial services organizations.
• Strong contract drafting, negotiation, and issue‑spotting skills.
• Exceptional ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and concisely to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Proven ability to operate independently, manage competing priorities, and deliver results with a strong sense of urgency.
• Strong executive presence and effectiveness in client‑facing and customer‑facing situations.
• Collaborative team player with a practical, business‑oriented mindset.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within banking, fintech, payments, digital banking, or other highly regulated financial services environments.
• Deep knowledge of laws and regulations applicable to financial institutions and financial technology providers, including:
• Gramm‑Leach‑Bliley Act (GLBA)
• Bank Secrecy Act (BSA)
• Anti‑Money Laundering (AML) requirements
• Know Your Customer (KYC) obligations
• Third‑party risk management requirements
• Significant experience with U.S. and global privacy laws and frameworks, including state privacy regulations and international data protection requirements.
• Experience designing or managing AI governance, responsible AI, or technology governance programs.
• Experience supporting global organizations and cross‑border legal matters.
• Prior people leadership experience, including managing and developing attorneys or legal professionals.

Preferred Distinctions

• In‑house legal experience supporting fintech, SaaS, or digital banking organizations.
• Experience interacting with executive leadership teams and Boards of Directors.
• Demonstrated success building governance frameworks and scalable legal processes in high‑growth environments.
• Experience supporting cloud‑based technology products and digital transformation initiatives.
• Certifications or advanced training in privacy, AI governance, or cybersecurity.