Deputy General Counsel

Ascent is a leading provider of innovative financial products and student support services that enable more students to access education and achieve academic and economic success.
Everything Ascent offers is designed with the best-in-class teams and technology to increase every student's ability to plan, pay, and succeed in their education and career.
Ascent's planning tools and financing resources are co-created by students for those in college, graduate school, and career training programs.
Ascent offers financial wellness education, student success services, and one-on-one and digital career coaching that put students' academic and professional goals within reach.
Ascent has been widely recognized for its strong culture – named “Best Places to Work” by the San Diego Business Journal for the past 5 years – and as an industry leader – named “Best Student Loan” by NerdWallet for the past 3 years.
The Deputy General Counsel will be a key member of the Legal leadership team, assisting the General Counsel in all aspects of legal affairs.
This role involves significant interaction with senior management, providing advice on a variety of legal issues, managing outside counsel, and leading internal teams.
This position would ideally be hybrid (in office min two days per week) in our San Diego headquarters, but fully remote with monthly travel to San Diego may be considered.
Our ideal candidate would: Have strong business acumen and an interest in really learning our business.
Have the ability and the drive to be self-directed.
Be a creative problem solver.
We work in a highly regulated industry – you create the best experiences and business solutions despite that.
Be able to think outside of the box, enjoy being challenged to grow your skills, and not be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone.
Enjoy collaborating internally and externally, take a partnership approach to work.
Value developing others and have a continuous learning mindset.
Have experience in some or all of the following: consumer data and privacy, consumer loan expertise (lending and/or servicing), top tier law school/law firm, securitization/structured finance, M&A, corporate governance.
Responsibilities: Review and advise on a range of agreements, including corporate, employment, and commercial agreements.
Provide counsel and advice to cross-functional stakeholders and senior leaders to set the company’s legal strategy on a broad range of matters related to new initiatives and products and other corporate, transactional, and regulatory matters.
Oversee compliance with applicable laws and regulations and conduct legal research and analysis to stay current on changes that may impact the company and its subsidiaries.
Partner with the HR team on employment practices, employment handbook updates and other HR matters.
Oversee the improvement of legal department processes to increase efficiency and mitigate legal risks.
Hire, inspire, develop, and manage a team of high-performing individuals.
Manage and oversee the legal department budget.
Minimum Qualifications: JD from an accredited law school.
Bar membership in good standing.
8-10 years of experience post law school, preferably a combination of law firm and in-house counsel experience.
Experience managing complex corporate, commercial, and regulatory legal matters.
Proven ability to provide thought partnership and leadership in developing innovative legal and risk management strategies.
Ability to tailor advice that’s well-calibrated to all levels of the organization.
Demonstrated experience in managing a team or developing others.
Exceptional communication skills and savvy interpersonal skills with an established ability to take initiative and build productive relationships between internal stakeholders and vendors.
Qualities we look for in our candidates: The ideal candidate will be an excellent leader and will have experience in managing staff of different disciplines to produce results in a timely manner.
An eagerness to learn and grow your skills.
A drive to succeed, a sense of urgency, and a passion for the work.
All-around good team player who is approachable, willing to jump in a get the job done, and dedicated to helping others succeed.
Competitive pay with bonus, and comprehensive benefits package that includes, but not limited to: This position will have a pay range (commensurate with experience) of $250,000 - $295,000 annually, plus discretionary annual cash bonus.
Company Stock Options 401(k) + Company Match Medical, dental, and vision coverage Annual HSA contribution of $1,600 Life insurance, disability, and critical illness 14 Paid Holidays! Eleven (11) + Two (2) Community Days + Your Birthday! $2,000 Vacation Incentive Plan after 3 years + $1,000 Sabbatical Day Wellness, Work from Home funds and more! The Job Description is intended to be a general representation of the responsibilities and requirements of the job.
However, the description may not be all-inclusive, and responsibilities and requirements are subject to change.
The Job Description is intended to be a general representation of the responsibilities and requirements of the job.
However, the description may not be all-inclusive, and responsibilities and requirements are subject to change.
Equal Employment Opportunity It is the policy of the Company to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and employment applicants without regard to unlawful considerations of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, sensory, physical, or mental disability, marital status, veteran or military status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws.
This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, job assignment, compensation, promotion, benefits, training, discipline, and termination.
Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request.
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