SVP, Senior Legal Counsel - US

Page Executive; New York (NY); On-site; Confidential; Full time

Job summary

A leading international bank seeks a Legal Counsel to establish and lead its U.S. legal function. The role involves advising on regulatory compliance, real estate, and employment law, while collaborating with senior leadership and the global legal team. This position offers a competitive salary and an opportunity to shape the legal strategy for a prominent banking institution.

Benefits

Competitive base salary

Bonus

Profit-sharing

Additional benefits

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in New York.
• 7-10 years of legal experience in banking and financial services.
• Deep knowledge of US banking laws and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the first legal hire for US operations, establishing and leading the legal function.
• Advise senior leadership on legal matters regarding banking, real estate, and compliance.
• Negotiate and provide guidance on non-disclosure agreements and various lending structures.

Skills

Commercial Banking

Real Estate Law

Employment Law

Regulatory Compliance

Negotiation

Problem Solving

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

• First US legal hire for international banking client
• In-person role 5 days per week in Midtown, Manhattan

About Our Client

Global banking client.

Job Description

This is a unique opportunity for a talented individual to shape the legal strategy and function for a leading international bank. The successful candidate will work closely with senior leadership to ensure that the bank operates in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations while supporting business objectives across commercial banking, real estate, and employment law matters.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the first legal hire for the US operations, establishing and leading the legal function for the New York branch.
• Advise and counsel senior leadership and business teams on a wide range of legal matters, including but not limited to commercial banking, real estate transactions, product development, employment law, and regulatory compliance.
• Interpret rules to advise compliance with OCC and CIMA regulations, as well as other US banking regulatory requirements.
• Provide legal guidance in alignment with banking practices on non-disclosure agreements, real estate transactions (including commercial leases, acquisitions, and financing), corporate lending transactions (including revolvers, term loans, trade facilities and supply chain financings) , and other lending structures (including project financings and subscription financings)
• Manage the legal aspects of employment law, advising on labor relations, employee relations, policies, and compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws
• Take part in representing the bank in dealings with regulatory bodies, including but not limited to the OCC, Federal Reserve, and other relevant authorities
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to develop strategies, ensure best practices, and prevent legal risks.
• Collaborate with the international legal team to ensure consistency in global operations and compliance with international regulations.
• Manage external legal resources, including outside counsel, when needed.

The Successful Applicant

Required Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in New York.
• At least 7-10 years of legal experience in banking and financial services, with a focus on commercial banking, real estate, employment law, and regulatory matters.
• Extensive experience with OCC regulations and other banking regulatory frameworks.
• Proven experience advising on a broad range of legal matters, including corporate governance, contracts, and disputes.
• Deep knowledge of US banking laws and other related regulations.
• Strong track record in real estate law, including both transactional work and risk mitigation.
• Expertise in advising on employment law matters, including employee relations, labor law, and corporate policies.
• Exceptional negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with senior executives, business leaders, and regulatory authorities.
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills, with the ability to anticipate legal risks and recommend proactive solutions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Fluency in Arabic

What's on Offer

• Competitive base salary
• Bonus
• Profit-sharing
• Additional benefits