Description
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston (Bank) is seeking a proven leader as our next Senior Vice President (SVP) General Counsel and Ethics Officer. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative legal executive who brings strategic partnership, exemplary communication skills, and deep legal expertise to the role. They will lead a department that serves as in-house counsel, strategic partners, and trusted advisors to the business - providing advice on contracts, employment, banking & financial services, payments, intellectual property, conflicts of interest, and ethics.
About the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
The Federal Reserve System was founded by Congress in 1913 and serves as the central bank of the United States. Its fundamental mission is to foster the stability, integrity, and efficiency of the nation's monetary, financial, and payment systems, to promote optimal economic performance.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston is one of 12 regional Federal Reserve Banks that, together with the Board of Governors in Washington D.C., make up the System. Our region, the First District, encompasses the six states of New England with the exception of Fairfield County. We contribute to communities, the region, and the nation by conducting high-quality economic research, participating in monetary policymaking, supervising certain financial institutions, providing financial and payments services that underpin the financial system, and playing a leadership role in payments innovation.
The Bank's approximately 1,300 employees are based mostly in the First District, and they take great pride in working for an organization whose mission is to promote sound economic growth and well-being regionally and nationally. Our strong organizational culture is built on our core values of community, innovation, integrity & trust, and leadership & excellence.
The head of Legal Services oversees approximately 15 professional team members, including counsel, paralegals, and administration. The SVP reports to the President and CEO of the Bank and serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, supporting System and Bank initiatives while ensuring legal, ethical, regulatory, and contractual compliance. As a member of the Bank's Executive Committee, the SVP contributes to the strategic direction and policies of the Bank and serves as a role model for employees and the communities that the Bank serves.
The successful candidate must have a strong commitment to public service and establish and maintain strong relationships with the Bank's President, First Vice President, and other critical System colleagues.
Please include both a resume and cover letter for consideration for this role.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Legal Leadership & Advisory
Serves as the senior in-house legal advisor, providing counsel and broad-based thought leadership and advice on legal risk, exposure, and strategic business initiatives to the President, First Vice President/COO, and other colleagues with exceptional clarity and precision
Provides proactive, dynamic, visionary leadership for the legal organization and its people to meet evolving circumstances
Demonstrates expertise as a strategic legal advisor with the ability to anticipate legal issues or risks and recommend approaches that are flexible and pragmatic in a regulatory and federated environment
Oversees and manages all legal services provided by the Bank's in-house attorneys and outside counsel
As the Ethics Officer for the Bank, ensures that the Bank operates with a commitment to ethics which ensures the Boston Fed remains a trusted organization. This includes assessment of program, employee training, and oversight of the Bank’s ethics reporting infrastructure
Communication & Collaboration
Communicates actively, transparently, and effectively with a broad range of stakeholders, ensuring clarity of message across all levels of the organization
Collaborates with other members of the Bank's senior management team to craft Bank strategies and policies and to shape culture
Actively participates in System governance groups and builds trusting partnerships with peers across the System
Serves as a visible thought leader and voice at the Bank, throughout the District and across the System
Represents the Bank in interactions with the Board of Governors, within the System, with outside agencies as needed, and throughout the First District
Consulting & Advisory Excellence
Identifies emerging risks and opportunities on the horizon and translates them into actionable recommendations
Acts as a trusted advisor and consultant to leadership, providing sophisticated analysis of complex legal issues
Engages business leaders at the Bank and across the System to identify initiatives and business opportunities where the Legal department can add value or lend expertise
Provides comprehensive legal guidance on banking supervision and financial services, payments, governance, ethics, contracts, employment, and intellectual property matters
Demonstrates ability to influence leaders and stakeholders at the highest levels through exceptional relationship management, judgment, and communication skills
Management & Leadership
Leads multi-year business planning and ensures the accomplishment of functional goals and aligns with the Bank’s strategic plan and System’s priorities
Champions departmental talent management, including performance management, salary administration, and succession planning
Continually builds leadership capacity and promotes employee development
Acts as a role model by fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and trust that ensures our people work in an inclusive, respectful, and impactful workplace
Creates an environment that rewards and recognizes innovative ideas and appropriate risk-taking
Legal Department Operations
Establishes and administers business policies, procedures, and practices
Provides policy and procedural direction to functional areas to ensure compliance with System and Bank policies
Maintains the professional competence of Bank attorneys so they can adequately discharge their responsibilities
Leads the strategic planning and policy development activities for the Legal Services Group
Requirements
Education & Licensing
J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited U.S. law school
Current member of the Massachusetts Bar or commitment to become licensed in Massachusetts within one year of hire
Required licensing, certification, or registration to practice law
Experience
15+ years of progressive legal experience in banking, financial services, or other relevant industry/specialty areas
Demonstrated depth of legal expertise in banking and financial services, with strong knowledge of legal complexities in the banking, payments, and regulatory environment
Proven experience working and leading in a highly complex, geographically diverse, and matrixed organization
At least 8 years of management experience, including direct supervision of attorneys and other professional staff
Core Competencies
Legal Expertise
Exceptional legal skills, including critical analysis of key legal issues, ability to develop legal strategy and objectives, and sophisticated drafting
Deep expertise in banking law, financial services regulation, contracts, employment law, ethics, and governance
Understanding of the Bank's and the Federal Reserve System's role in the banking, payments, and regulatory environment
Communication Excellence
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey complex legal concepts with clarity and precision
Exceptional public speaking skills to support role as visible thought leader
Ability to tailor message and communication style to diverse audiences, from technical legal teams to executive leadership
Consulting & Advisory Skills
Proven ability to serve as a strategic consultant and trusted advisor to senior leadership
Ability to "see around the corner" and anticipate legal issues or risks before they materialize
Strong business acumen and ability to evaluate costs, risks, and benefits associated with alternative actions
Skilled at providing pragmatic, solution-oriented advice in a complex regulatory environment
Collaboration & Relationship Building
Strong collaboration skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively across functions and build enterprise-wide relationships
Ability to establish and maintain positive, collaborative working relationships with leaders and colleagues from varied backgrounds
Proven ability to influence and partner with others in pursuit of common goals
Exceptional interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence
Leadership Capabilities
Leading with a strategic, action-oriented mindset focused on performance, accountability, and outcomes; holds self and others accountable
Serving as an active talent champion, coach, mentor, role model, and connector
Building trust and serving as a helpful and resourceful colleague
Demonstrating organizational savvy by seamlessly maneuvering through complex policies, processes, and people dynamics
Managing ambiguity by comfortably dealing with the uncertainty of change
Other Requirements
U.S. citizenship and ability to pass an enhanced background screening
Eligibility to obtain and maintain a top-secret security clearance
Residency in the First District of the Federal Reserve System, within commuting distance of our Boston location
Willingness to travel, up to 25% of working days, primarily domestically
Strong commitment to public service
Values consistent with the Federal Reserve: thought leadership, analytical rigor, collaboration, personal integrity, and commitment to public service
Salary and Benefits
Anticipated Base Salary: $390,000-490,000 Annually. The Boston Fed believes in salary transparency. The final salary and offer will be determined by the applicant’s background, skills, internal equity, and alignment with market data. Additionally, we offer a strong and competitive benefits package which will be detailed to finalists considered for the role.
Ethics Considerations and Prohibited Activities
It is essential for every employee to perform their duties with honesty, integrity, and impartiality, without improper preferential treatment of any person or organization. Bank employees are subject to federal criminal statutes that prohibit financial conflicts of interest. The Bank's code of conduct generally prohibits:
Outside activities inconsistent with employee duties and responsibilities (e.g., holding a position as a director of a publicly traded company)
Certain partisan political activities, such as fundraising or holding partisan elected office
The Bank's ethics rules generally prohibit employees, their spouses/domestic partners, and minor children from owning securities, such as stock, of banks or savings associations or their affiliates. Please review the Bank's Code of Conduct and Ethics to ensure compliance.
Background Screening
Due to the nature of access to sensitive information, all final offers are subject to clearance of an enhanced background check. All employees assigned to this position will be subject to FBI fingerprint/criminal background and Patriot Act/Office of Foreign Assets Control watch lists at least once every five years.
The Federal Reserve Banks are committed to equal employment opportunity for employees and job applicants in compliance with applicable law and to an environment where employees are valued for their differences.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment.
