We’re looking for talented professionals to join us in bringing smart money management and payment solutions to everyone’s fingertips.
This position is classified as structured hybrid, with an expectation of a minimum of three (3) days per week working in the office and flexibility to work remotely on the remaining days. On-site expectations may evolve over time to support business needs, with clear communication provided in advance.
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JOB DESCRIPTION
Location Requirement
This position is open only to candidates who can work in one of the following approved locations:
Los Angeles, CA (West LA office) or San Francisco (SoMa office)
Job Summary
The Sr. Director, Legal Counsel serves as a senior legal leader. This role provides strategic legal guidance on commercial, regulatory, operational, and product matters, enabling business growth while appropriately managing legal and regulatory risk.
The position advises executive leaders and business partners on complex legal matters involving payments, embedded banking, partner bank programs, fintech partnerships, money movement, and consumer financial services. The Sr. Director, Legal Counsel develops legal strategies that support Green Dot’s business objectives, negotiates critical commercial agreements, oversees outside counsel, and partners closely with Compliance, Risk, Product, Operations, Finance, and business leadership to drive enterprise initiatives.
Consistent with the Green Dot Career Framework at the Sr. Director level, this role translates business strategy into functional plans, influences policy and strategy, partners with executive leadership, and is recognized as an influential leader across the organization.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Strategic Legal Leadership
- Serve as the lead legal advisor supporting the GDN and BaaS organizations.
- Partner with executive leadership to identify legal and regulatory risks associated with strategic initiatives and growth opportunities.
- Translate business strategy into practical legal guidance and risk-based recommendations.
- Influence legal, operational, and business policies that impact enterprise objectives.
- Develop and implement legal frameworks supporting product innovation, partner onboarding, and business expansion.
Commercial Transactions & Partnerships
- Structure, draft, review, and negotiate complex commercial agreements, including:
- Banking-as-a-Service and embedded finance agreements
- Program management agreements
- Partner and sponsor bank arrangements
- Payment network agreements
- Fintech partnership agreements
- Distribution and referral arrangements
- Vendor and technology contracts
- Lead negotiations involving significant financial, operational, and regulatory implications.
- Develop standardized contracting approaches that improve efficiency while maintaining appropriate risk controls.
Regulatory & Product Counsel
- Advise on applicable laws and regulations impacting banking, prepaid products, payments, deposit products, money movement services, and fintech offerings.
- Provide legal guidance throughout product development and the product lifecycle.
- Support examinations, audits, inquiries, and regulatory interactions as needed.
- Collaborate with Compliance and Risk teams to assess emerging regulatory developments and business impacts.
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Partner with Product, Compliance, Enterprise Risk, Operations, Finance, Information Security, and Business Development teams.
- Facilitate resolution of high-impact legal issues across multiple business functions.
- Drive legal support for strategic projects, partnerships, and enterprise initiatives.
- Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners.
Legal Operations & Risk Management
- Manage outside counsel and legal vendors, including budgets, scope, and performance.
- Ensure legal budgets and schedules meet corporate requirements.
- Improve legal processes, templates, governance structures, and risk management practices.
- Develop training and educational materials for business stakeholders.
- Support litigation management and dispute resolution efforts as needed.
People Leadership
- Lead, mentor, and develop attorneys, legal professionals, and cross-functional project teams.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, business partnership, and sound risk management.
- Contribute to succession planning and organizational capability building within the Legal function.
Required Qualifications
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
- Active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.
- 12+ years of progressive legal experience, including significant in-house or financial services experience.
- Extensive experience negotiating and drafting complex commercial agreements.
- Demonstrated experience supporting banking, fintech, payments, prepaid, deposit, or BaaS businesses.
- Strong understanding of financial services regulatory frameworks and risk management principles.
- Experience advising senior executives on strategic and high-risk matters.
- Proven ability to influence decisions across multiple business functions.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting Banking-as-a-Service, embedded finance, partner bank, or fintech partnership models.
- Experience with payment networks, ACH, card processing, money movement, or digital banking products.
- Prior experience at a regulated financial institution, fintech company, partner bank, payment company, or major law firm.
- Experience managing attorneys or legal teams.
- Familiarity with consumer financial services laws and regulations.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Exceptional commercial contracting and negotiation skills.
- Strong business acumen and ability to balance legal risk with business objectives.
- Ability to simplify complex legal concepts into practical business guidance.
- Strong executive presence and communication skills.
- Strategic problem-solving and sound judgment.
- Ability to influence senior leaders and drive enterprise-wide outcomes.
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
Career Framework Alignment (M6 – Sr. Director)
This role reflects the Green Dot Sr. Director level through:
- Translating business segment strategy into functional legal plans and guiding execution.
- Regularly interacting with executives, senior management, and major partners; representing the organization and negotiating on matters of significance.
- Influencing policymaking and strategy through communication and persuasion.
- Partnering with executive leadership to provide cohesive direction toward company goals.
- Ensuring budgets and schedules meet corporate requirements.
- Being recognized as an influential leader and trusted legal advisor across the organization.
**Ability to work in the U.S. without sponsorship**
**Ability to meet the location requirement outlined above**
POSITION TYPE
Regular
PAY RANGE
The targeted base salary for this position is $183,000 to $274,500 per year. The final compensation will be determined by a number of factors such as qualifications, expertise, and the candidate’s geographical location.
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We’re Here to Support You—Accommodations Upon Request
Green Dot is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring experience for all candidates. If you require a reasonable accommodation during any part of the application or interview process, we encourage you to let us know. We will work with you to meet your needs in a way that respects your privacy and ensures equal opportunity. Our goal is to support every applicant in showcasing their talents and potential.
Work Authorization Requirement
At Green Dot Corporation, we value diversity and strive for fair and inclusive hiring practices. However, we are currently unable to offer visa sponsorship. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and throughout the duration of employment, without the need for current or future sponsorship.
Important Notice on Application Accuracy
We value integrity in our hiring process. Please ensure that all information provided in your resume and application is accurate and authentic. Submissions found to be fraudulent or misleading will result in disqualification from consideration, and any offers extended may be rescinded.
