Deputy General Counsel

Company: Citizens, Inc.
Location: Austin
Posted on: May 3, 2021

Job Description:

We are seeking a Deputy General Counsel to join our Legal team. The Citizens Legal team provides guidance and support of both the public company function - 1933 and 1934 Act securities filings and compliance with NYSE listing standards, corporate governance and related corporate compliance - and the insurance business support of new business / marketing, underwriting, claims, actuarial, reinsurance, and insurance compliance. Our ideal candidate has prior insurance experience (life insurance preferable), is flexible, highly organized, detail-oriented, and is capable of handling sensitive information with care. This job is performed in Austin, TX at our headquarters, located in the beautiful Domain. The Deputy General Counsel reports directly to the Vice President and Chief Legal Officer (CLO).

Essential Job Duties:

• With the CLO and financial team, prepare and review reports filed with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including disclosures on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, Section 16 reporting and annual proxy statement.
• Advise business units with respect to life insurance business needs.
• Assist with corporate governance, including preparation of Board materials, minutes, subsidiary governance..
• Work with CLO to ensure proper corporate policies and procedures are in place; draft and review amendments to governance documents, corporate policies and procedures, and Board committee charters.
• Compliance with regulatory aspects of the Company's operations (including filings with state insurance regulators), state and federal securities laws and integration of all disclosure requirements.
• Assist with implementing enhancements to elements of the ethics and compliance program.
• Advise and counsel on general corporate matters including: employment and compensation matters, corporate subsidiaries, vendor agreements, real estate, litigation, and commercial matters.
• Support corporate and strategic transactions, including mergers and acquisitions.
• Respond promptly to requests from internal clients, and summarize and communicate legal risks in a way that business people can understand that pragmatically balances risk with our business objectives.
• Provide leadership on cross-functional teams, identify legal issues, and provide legal options / analysis of possible legal solutions.
• Other legal aspects of a publicly-traded insurance company.
• Any other duties or projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• J.D., licensed in Texas.
• 5-10 years' experience as a corporate attorney (either in a large law firm or a combination of a large law firm and in-house experience) with substantial experience working on SEC reporting, NYSE regulations, Delaware corporate law, M&A and corporate governance/compliance matters or life insurance company experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Licensed in Colorado.
• Insurance company experience.
• SEC - 1934 Act experience; familiarity with NYSE listing standards

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Broad and deep experience in securities/corporate governance issues or life insurance operations.
• Sound business judgment and strategic thinking.
• Flexibility and interest in working on a broad variety of legal matters in order to understand and advise the company on legal implications of its business strategy.
• Attention to detail and the ability to work individually, within a multi-disciplinary team, as well as with external partners and vendors.
• Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal & written and analysis skills.

Miscellaneous Requirements:

Ability to work Monday-Friday, 8AM - 5PM with occasional flexible hours.

Work Environment

• Primarily indoors with heating and cooling regulated in a general office environment.
• The noise level in the work environment is generally low.
• We are a dynamic, demanding environment.
• Requiring exceptional time management skills and prioritization in managing multiple priorities.
• Ability to read and interpret data as well as effectively communicating (orally and in writing) with both company and outside personnel.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Ability to reach high and low; open, close and retrieve files from file cabinets as well as operate computer keyboard and appropriate office equipment. The position requires the ability to frequently stand, walk, sit for long periods of time, lift up to 15 lbs., open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary.

Keywords: Citizens, Inc., Austin , Deputy General Counsel, Other , Austin, Texas