Job Description:
Role Summary/Purpose: Synchrony Financial (Synchrony) seeks to appoint a Senior Vice President, Litigation and Investigations Counsel (SVP, Litigation and Investigations), reporting directly to the company's Senior Vice President, Managing General Counsel. The SVP, Litigation and Investigations is a critical member of Synchrony's legal team, and the lead attorney for Synchrony and its affiliates with respect to formulating and driving the litigation and investigations strategy across the enterprise. This includes overseeing the prosecution and defense of all litigation brought by or against the company as well as managing all investigations, including government enforcement activity. The SVP, Litigation and Investigations will anticipate and mitigate risk, and be a strong partner to the business, proactively enhancing overall effectiveness through close collaboration and knowledge sharing. This is an important and visible role in a dynamic and collaborative organization. The ideal candidate will be comfortable interacting with executive management and the Board of Directors and working across multiple functional areas and business lines to achieve results and advance strategic priorities. A commitment to excellence, attention to detail and enthusiasm for flexing to new challenges are critical to success in the role.
Essential Responsibilities: - Formulate, drive, and lead the litigation and investigations strategy for Synchrony across the enterprise. Set a strategic vision for the evolution of the litigation and investigations function that aligns with the company's growth, and proactively execute policies, practices, and decisions to ensure the company is protected.
- Advise the Managing General Counsel, Chief Risk and Legal Officer, senior executives and Board of Directors on all existing, potential, and future litigation, investigations, enforcement, risk, and regulatory exposure, including strategies for minimizing adverse outcomes and reducing Synchrony's risk profile.
- Oversee all phases of litigation and enforcement matters, including pre-litigation disputes, fact investigation, strategy development, discovery, motion practice, mediation, settlement negotiations, and trials and/or appeals.
- Oversee government and internal investigations (including but not limited to fair employment practices, conflicts of interest, and after-action reviews of business decisions).
- Collaborate with the corporate functions, including Technology and Operations, Business Development, Growth, Human Resources, and Risk, to identify, mitigate, and reduce litigation risk.
- Interact with federal, state and local regulatory agencies and enforcement agencies, and work with the Regulatory Affairs and Compliance functions to manage and respond to regulatory inquiries and examinations, prepare/approve regulatory filings, and ensure compliance with relevant banking laws and regulations.
- Anticipate issues and evaluate risks strategically; identify proactive solutions that will eliminate or mitigate risks. Ensure that material litigation and investigation strategy has roadmaps, is appropriately resourced internally, and has well-managed budgets and work plans to ensure a greater likelihood of expected outcomes. Work closely with senior executives and other key stakeholders to analyze exposures and set appropriate reserves.
- Provide thought leadership, strategic consultation, and innovative solutions regarding litigation and investigations challenges and opportunities to influence and shape key business decisions. Foster strong working relationships with the business, balancing legal risks with business necessities.
- Oversee and establish programs and strategies relating to e-discovery and litigation-related document retention.
- Manage early warning processes to detect and mitigate exposure to emerging legal theories and allegations.
- Analyze litigation and regulatory trends, changes and court decisions that may impact the company, and advise key stakeholders, including senior executives and the Board of Directors, of the same. Develop and implement mitigation strategies when necessary.
- Provide strategic leadership in the management of legal professionals, including establishing performance objectives and providing appropriate training and coaching to ensure direct reports and other team members deliver successfully against the organization's requirements. Ensure all direct reports are appropriately coached, guided and developed in accordance with formal development plans.
- Partner with, and efficiently manage, outside counsel and other legal service providers.
- Lead and deliver other key projects as required and perform other duties and/or special projects as needed
Qualifications/Requirements: In addition to holding a JD from a well-regarded law school and admission in good standing to a state bar, the successful candidate will bring the following:
- At least 10 years of relevant U.S. litigation experience, including a combination of top-tier law firm, government and/or in-house roles of increasing responsibility. Litigation experience from a federal or state law enforcement or regulatory agency is advantageous. Trial experience and deep knowledge and experience leading the resolution of complex legal disputes, regulatory situations and government investigations. Experience with large-scale discovery projects, including e-discovery and document preservation. Experience supervising complex internal and government investigations, and addressing and responding to regulatory inquiries.
- Experience working at or for a company in the financial services or a highly regulated sector and engaging with relevant regulators or enforcement agencies is preferred.
- Experience leading and developing teams of litigators, investigators and/or other professionals, ideally at an organization of scale and complexity, as well as experience managing outside counsel cost-effectively and efficiently.
Desired Characteristics: - Robust interpersonal, networking, public speaking, and writing skills, with the confidence and credibility to act quickly, communicate effectively with diplomacy and civility, and command the respect of both internal and external audiences. An individual with confidence inspiring gravitas and a calm under pressure demeanor.
- Flexible, collaborative approach, positive attitude, and role model for the legal function. Fosters a culture of trust, inclusion and transparency. Works well with others and as part of a cohesive team. Ability to build strong working relationships with internal business clients at all levels of management and cross-functional teams to develop solutions to sophisticated legal and business problems.
- Ability to influence and drive change at all levels of the organization. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, handle multiple, conflicting priorities while managing a substantial workload and client expectations. Entrepreneurial mindset and willingness to voice unpopular opinions if they are the right approach for the business.
Grade/Level: 17 The salary range for this position is
240,000 - 410,000 USD. This position is also eligible for an Annual Incentive Plan target of 40% of salary and an Annual Equity target of 40% of salary. Actual compensation offered within the posted salary range will be based upon work experience, skill level or knowledge. Salaries are adjusted according to market in CA, NY Metro and Seattle.
Eligibility Requirements: - You must be 18 years or older
- You must have a high school diploma or equivalent
- You must be willing to take a drug test, submit to a background investigation and submit fingerprints as part of the onboarding process
- You must be able to satisfy the requirements of Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.
- New hires (Level 4-7) must have 9 months of continuous service with the company before they are eligible to post on other roles. Once this new hire time in position requirement is met, the associate will have a minimum 6 months' time in position before they can post for future non-exempt roles. Employees, level 8 or greater, must have at least 18 months' time in position before they can post. All internal employees must consistently meet performance expectations and have approval from your manager to post (or the approval of your manager and HR if you don't meet the time in position or performance expectations).
Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
Our Commitment: When you join us, you'll be part of a diverse, inclusive culture where your skills, experience, and voice are not only heard-but valued. We celebrate the differences in all of us and believe that our individual, unique perspectives is what makes Synchrony truly a great place to work. Together, we're building a future where we can all belong, connect and turn ideals into action. Through the power of our 8 Diversity Networks+, with more than 60% of our workforce engaged, you'll find community to connect with an opportunity to go beyond your passions. This starts when you choose to apply for a role at Synchrony. We ensure all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
Reasonable Accommodation Notice: - Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.
- If you need special accommodations, please call our Career Support Line so that we can discuss your specific situation. We can be reached at [redacted]. Representatives are available from 8am - 5pm Monday to Friday, Central Standard Time
Job Family Group: Legal