VP & Associate General Counsel - Specialty & Financial Lines

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CNA is recruiting for a Vice President and Associate General Counsel for our U.S. Businesses Law Department. The position will report to the Senior Vice President, Head of Legal for U.S. Businesses, and have direct oversight of the Specialty Legal team, which includes 8 attorneys. In addition, this role will serve as a strategic partner to the Head of Specialty and Specialty business unit leadership and will be accountable for providing legal, regulatory and transactional support.

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned lawyer possessing extensive knowledge of Financial Lines, and other Specialty insurance products and services, and provide support to all of Specialty business units which include Financial Lines, Healthcare, Affinity Programs and Warranty. The successful candidate also will bring significant experience in working across a diverse range of disciplines, including contract law, litigation and insurance regulatory matters.

Advanced communication skills and an ability to establish oneself as a trusted advisor to all levels of business partners and cross-functional partners are critical to the success of the role. The ability to build consensus and influence internal and external relationships in a matrixed environment is critical. Strong leadership skills and a demonstrated ability to drive results by identifying and resolving problems within the scope of responsibility are required.

General requirements for the role are a Juris Doctor (JD) degree and a license to practice law in at least one jurisdiction. The ideal candidate also will have a minimum of 15 years of related legal work experience with deep expertise in Financial Lines.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Job Summary

This officer position is primarily responsible for providing comprehensive legal services to the Financial Lines Business Unit. The individual is an operational and legal expert in professional liability, with the ability to assume accountability for the businesses being served. Responsibilities include (i) maintaining a strategic partnership with senior level business leaders to ensure effective implementation of strategic objectives; (ii) identifying priorities to support business initiatives and transactions; (iii) managing highly complex legal matters; and (iv) providing expert legal advice and guidance. The role also will oversee a diverse team of lawyers providing legal and product development support to the Specialty business units.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Performs a combination of duties in accordance with departmental guidelines.

* Provides strategic and tactical legal counseling to Specialty underwriting and operational teams.


* Provides product development guidance and support.


* Partners with Financial Lines business leaders and manages and mitigates legal, compliance, and regulatory risks that may arise relevant to the unique business operations focusing upon large financial institutions, hedge funds, community banks and life agents.


* Provides timely and accurate responses to all levels of the business regarding related legal, regulatory and transactional issues by conducting research and analysis, interpreting contractual provisions, and documenting legal opinions and recommendations.


* Provides leadership to lawyers supporting Specialty business units and ensures that the team members provide proactive, protective and timely legal services to the businesses.


* Leads, directs and manages staff in the area of responsibility with an emphasis on talent management.


* Reviews external communication materials, marketing collateral, presentations, and training materials.


* Facilitates business partner learning by developing and delivering training.


* Maintains current Financial Lines business-specific knowledge base with respect to legislative, regulatory and compliance developments and proactively ensures compliance with state/local/federal requirements.


* In collaboration with regulatory counsel, participates in market conduct exams and investigates and reviews responses to DOI consumer complaints.


* Drafts, reviews, and negotiates contracts with third party service providers. Works on special projects, as needed.



Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

* Demonstrated leadership and change management skills.


* Significant experience working within the insurance industry and exposure in several diverse disciplines of related contract law, litigation, regulatory compliance and reporting requirements.


* Champions CNA through an in-depth understanding of the company's ability to serve as a differentiator in the Financial Lines professional liability marketplace regarding CNA products and services, as well as a working knowledge and understanding of competitor products and services.


* Demonstrated ability to partner with and support the growth and development of the Specialty business.


* Experience working as a trusted advisor with internal business clients and sophisticated leadership team.


* Ability to effectively interact and communicate with all levels of external and internal business partners, and a demonstrated ability to succinctly present complex topics through an approachable and relatable presence.


* Demonstrated problem solving mindset with critical thinking skills and the ability to effectively evaluate and resolve ambiguous and challenging business problems.


* Demonstrated ability to interpret, negotiate and draft complex contracts. Ability to prioritize, manage, and delegate assignments, and be a champion of change.


* Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and other business-related software.


* Ability to model CNA's leadership behaviors and value diverse opinions and ideas through effective working relationships with cross-functional teams.



Education and Experience

JD and a license to practice law in at least one jurisdiction required. A minimum of fifteen years of related legal work experience in key specialties. Prior experience managing a sizeable team strongly preferred.

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In certain jurisdictions, CNA is legally required to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. In California, Colorado, Connecticut, New York and Washington, the national base pay range for this job level is $182,000 to $290,000 annually. Salary determinations are based on various factors, including but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and location. CNA offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to help our employees - and their family members - achieve their physical, financial, emotional and social wellbeing goals. For a detailed look at CNA's benefits, please visit cnabenefits.com.

CNA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact leaveadministration@cna.com.