Associate General Counsel, Fintech Banking and Digital Assets

Who we are

Cross River is a highly profitable fast-growing financial technology company recognized for the third year in a row by CB Insights as one of the 250 best global fintechs. Our comprehensive suite of innovative products powers financial solutions with a strong focus on regulatory compliance for our partners and their millions of consumers around the world.

We are on a mission to build the infrastructure that propels access, inclusion and the democratization of financial services. While our company has tripled in size over the last three years, our strong sense of purpose led Cross River to be named to American Banker’s list of Best Places to Work in Fintech for the last 4 consecutive years. The reason for this success is simple --- our nimble, adaptive, and collaborative family culture lives in every member of our growing team. Together we are at the forefront of technology and innovation in financial services and we invite collaborative and motivated high performers to join our rapidly expanding team.

What we are looking for

Cross River is currently seeking candidates for an Associate General Counsel for Fintech Banking and Digital Assets, reporting to the General Counsel. The successful candidate must have demonstrated work experience at financial institutions and strong familiarity with banking products/services, commercial and retail payment products including MPL, ACH, wires and card networks, and digital assets, as well as familiarity with FINTECH innovation and emerging digital technologies. A solid understanding of laws, regulations, and card network rules impacting payments and ancillary financial services, including third party risk management and federal and state money transmission laws is also needed for this role. The candidate must exhibit strong judgement, market knowledge and decision-making skills in order to successfully lead projects, manage transactions and oversee outside counsel.
Candidates must have a J.D., with strong academic credentials and licensed to practice law in good standing in a state; excellent communication skills, a strong commitment to client service, ability to lead projects and affect change, and the ability to work in a fast-paced team environment. Strong background in technology and intellectual property, information security and privacy is a plus. Familiarity with, alternative payment types, mobile wallets, security products, and negotiating agreements and supporting business lines spanning multiple countries is also a plus. Also, must be willing to think "outside the box".

Responsibilities:

• Providing legal and regulatory expertise on payments products and services
• Preparing, reviewing and negotiating payments and vendor contracts in transactions with institutional clients and service providers
• Conducting legal review and providing support of online, mobile and other digital platforms that deliver financial services (including cryptocurrency and blockchain)
• Overseeing and managing outside counsel
• Supporting new product development and implementation, including drafting and negotiating agreements for strategic partnerships
• Providing clear and concise guidance to business units, particularly on novel and complex legal issues
• Actively engaging with business units to help identify and assess risks and resolve issues
• Proactively collaborating with stakeholders across the enterprise, including compliance, technology, risk, operations and other key partners
• Supporting other projects to support the legal department as necessary

Skills and Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate degree
• 10-15 years’ experience (either in-house or with a law firm)
• 5 years (minimum) experience in payments
• Knowledge of regulations applicable to financial services and consumer protection
• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Hard working, well organized and able to manage numerous projects simultaneously under deadline pressures
• Willingness to learn new legal subject matter areas as needed
• Ability to seek creative, innovative solutions for complex business matters
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability and desire to build relationships with others
• An inquisitive nature to help you learn about our business and to help find solutions as we grow as a company

Salary Range: $250,000.00-$315,000.00