Director of Legal & Compliance

Overview

A partner organization is seeking a Director of Legal & Compliance based in the United States. This is a high-impact, hands-on leadership role responsible for managing and advancing a mature compliance and legal function within a fast-scaling digital insurance distribution environment. The position requires ownership of a multi-entity compliance program and leadership of carrier, vendor, and program contract strategy. The role reports directly to the COO and serves as the primary legal advisor to senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Own and enhance the end-to-end compliance program across multiple entities, including policies, procedures, training, audits, internal controls, anti-fraud/AML frameworks, and governance cadence.
• Ensure compliance readiness for regulatory scrutiny and scalability with business growth.
• Identify regulatory and operational compliance gaps, prioritize risk-based remediation, and implement scalable controls.
• Oversee multi-state licensing requirements, including entity, producer, surplus lines, and related insurance licenses, ensuring accuracy, renewals, and audit readiness.
• Support tax compliance coordination with finance teams, including surplus lines tax filings and state-specific regulatory obligations.
• Lead negotiation and execution of carrier agreements, binding authority contracts, MGA/MGU arrangements, vendor agreements, and reinsurance-related documentation.
• Develop contract templates, negotiation playbooks, and streamlined intake processes balancing speed and legal protection.
• Serve as primary legal liaison for carriers, MGA/MGU partners, vendors, and outside counsel on litigation and specialized regulatory matters.
• Provide legal guidance on digital product development, including privacy compliance, data governance, and AI/ML risk considerations in underwriting and platform operations.
• Manage privacy compliance frameworks aligned with GLBA and applicable state privacy laws, ensuring policies, disclosures, and controls remain current.
• Advise leadership on broader legal risks across commercial, corporate, employment, and regulatory matters in a rapidly evolving environment.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and active bar membership in at least one US jurisdiction; New York bar admission preferred.
• 8–10 years of combined law firm and in-house legal experience.
• Direct experience in insurance, insurtech, MGA, MGU, or carrier environments.
• Strong knowledge of surplus lines regulation, producer licensing, and wholesale insurance distribution models.
• Proven experience negotiating carrier agreements, program structures, or complex commercial contracts.
• Demonstrated ownership or significant contribution to a compliance program within a regulated environment.
• Strong commercial judgment with the ability to operate independently as sole counsel in a high-growth business.
• Familiarity with technology-driven platforms, data systems, and AI/ML applications in regulated industries.
• Excellent communication skills to interface effectively with regulators, executives, engineers, and external partners.
• Preferred: experience with NAIC model laws, AI governance frameworks, GLBA privacy programs, and multi-state insurance compliance structures.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive executive-level compensation aligned with senior legal leadership roles.
• Fully remote work flexibility within a modern digital-first operating model.
• Opportunity to shape and scale a mission-critical legal and compliance function.
• Exposure to advanced insurtech, AI-driven underwriting, and digital distribution systems.
• Leadership visibility with direct access to executive decision-makers.
• Comprehensive benefits package including healthcare coverage and standard corporate perks (details provided by employer).

Location

• United States (fully remote)