SVP, General Counsel

Smith & Wilkinson; East Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 375,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent credit union is seeking an experienced SVP, General Counsel to lead legal and risk management efforts in East Hartford. This role involves shaping compliance programs and collaborating with business leaders. The ideal candidate should possess a JD, extensive financial services experience, and demonstrated leadership capabilities. Offering an annual salary of $375,000 to $450,000, this full-time position provides a unique opportunity to drive organizational success through strategic legal guidance.

Qualifications

• JD or equivalent legal qualification is a must.
• Extensive experience in the financial services industry is required.
• Must have strong expertise in regulatory compliance and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Identify, assess, and manage enterprise-wide risks.
• Lead corporate legal initiatives and manage a team.
• Shape and administer regulatory and compliance programs.

Skills

JD or equivalent legal qualification

Extensive experience in financial services

Expertise in regulatory compliance

Strong leadership abilities

Ability to build credibility with stakeholders

Job description

SVP, General Counsel – American Eagle Financial Credit Union

Smith & Wilkinson has been retained by American Eagle Financial Credit Union to manage the search for the organization’s first SVP, General Counsel. With $2.6B in assets, 375 team members, and 168,000 members, American Eagle is the largest community credit union in Connecticut and among the largest in New England.

As American Eagle continues its cultural, strategic, and operational transformation, the organization is seeking a senior legal leader to provide deep legal expertise, lead risk-related matters, and contribute to overall organizational success. The SVP, General Counsel will report to the Chief Strategy and Revenue Officer, lead a nine‑person team spanning enterprise risk management and compliance, and partner closely with business leaders across the organization. The role is responsible for identifying, assessing, and managing enterprise-wide risk, leading corporate legal initiatives, and helping shape and administer the credit union’s regulatory and compliance programs.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned legal executive (JD required) with financial services experience and deep expertise in regulatory compliance and enterprise risk management, capable of building credibility with executives, the Board, regulators, and external counsel. They will be a proven people leader and change agent who can anticipate organizational risks at the strategic level, balancing innovation and advancement with an appropriate, well‑informed, and data‑driven risk posture.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, assess, and manage enterprise‑wide risk.
• Lead corporate legal initiatives.
• Shape and administer regulatory and compliance programs.
• Collaborate with business leaders and provide legal counsel.
• Manage a nine‑person enterprise risk and compliance team.

Qualifications

• JD or equivalent legal qualification required.
• Extensive experience in financial services industry.
• Deep expertise in regulatory compliance and enterprise risk management.
• Strong people‑leader and change‑agent abilities.
• Proven ability to build credibility with executives, Board, regulators, and external counsel.

Employment Details

Seniority level: Director

Employment type: Full‑time

Job function: Legal, Banking

Location: Hartford, CT (East Hartford)

Salary: $375,000.00–$450,000.00 (annual)