General Counsel

Description Role : General Counsel serves as Blaze’s legal advisor and leader of the legal function, providing strategic counsel to the executive leadership, senior management, business units, and support centers. This role is responsible for overseeing all legal matters, mitigating legal and regulatory risk, supporting corporate governance, and ensuring legal strategies align with organizational objectives, risk appetite, and member-focused initiatives.

The General Counsel reports directly to the SVP/Chief Operating and Financial Officer, and partners closely with executive leadership to implement strategic initiatives, navigate complex legal and regulatory matters, and deliver practical, business-focused solutions that support growth while maintaining the highest standards of compliance, ethics, and member trust. Major Duties and Responsibilities Leadership & Strategic Advisory Serve as the primary legal advisor to the executive leadership and business units on legal, regulatory, governance, operational, and strategic matters.

Partner with executive leadership to develop and implement legal strategies that support organizational objectives and risk management priorities. Provide practical, risk-based legal guidance to internal stakeholders across lending, retail banking, operations, human resources, finance, marketing, information technology, information security, facilities, enterprise risk management, and vendor management. Support executive leadership including governance matters, policy oversight, and strategic initiatives. Prepare and present reports to the executive leadership team regarding significant legal matters, emerging risks, and regulatory developments.

Serve as a trusted advisor and escalation point for complex legal issues impacting the credit union. Legal Department Leadership Lead and oversee the legal function, ensuring timely, effective, and business-focused legal support across the organization. Manage relationships with outside counsel and oversee the quality, cost, and strategic direction of external legal services. Establish processes, controls, and standards that promote legal excellence and operational efficiency. Regulatory Oversight & Risk Management Maintain expertise in federal and Minnesota state laws, NCUA regulations, and NCUA guidance applicable to state-chartered, federally insured credit unions.

Interpret and operationalize legal and regulatory requirements related to governance, consumer compliance, enterprise risk management, data privacy, employment, vendor management, payments, lending, deposit operations, information security, and business services. Partner with Enterprise Risk Management and Internal Audit to identify, assess, and mitigate legal and regulatory risks. Advise management on regulatory examinations, supervisory findings, enforcement actions, and remediation efforts. Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and recommend operational or policy changes as needed. Develop legal…

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