Job description

About World Business Lenders

World Business Lenders (WBL) is a private portfolio lender specializing in real estate-secured business loans aimed at underserved businesses. The company operates with a fully remote international team and an experienced executive leadership group.

The typical working hours are from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, though additional hours may occasionally be necessary depending on business demands.

Role Overview

WBL is recruiting for a Senior Vice President of Corporate Legal to serve as the central operational and administrative leader within the Corporate Legal department. This is not solely a practicing attorney role but an operational legal executive responsible for handling daily departmental functions, as well as constructing scalable systems, workflows, and governance frameworks to support growth.

This role ensures all legal functions remain coordinated, risks are proactively addressed, workflows are optimized, and departmental priorities are fully executed. Collaboration will be close with ARCs, Finance, and General Counsel.

Success Indicators

Develops scalable legal operations, governance, and workflow systems that enable business expansion
Enhances operational effectiveness across compliance, legal expenditures, litigation, and corporate governance
Works alongside senior leadership to identify and mitigate both legal and operational risks proactively
Drives efficiency via standardized procedures, reporting, and cross-functional teamwork
Positions the Corporate Legal division as a strategic partner aligned with business goals

Key Responsibilities

Manage corporate legal billing including external counsel expenses, invoice assessments, and budget oversight
Implement controls and optimization strategies for legal spending company-wide
Maintain and develop billing approval workflows and reporting structures
Support compliance frameworks across lending, servicing, and corporate operations, ensuring adherence to federal and state laws such as usury statutes, licensing mandates, and disclosure rules
Maintain current compliance policies, procedural documentation, and training programs
Oversee outside counsel, legal vendors, and service provider relationships including contracts and performance standards
Streamline engagement and litigation management processes with law firms
Supervise corporate governance matters including entity management, regulatory filings, board resolutions, and protection of intellectual property assets
Facilitate corporate structure management and expansion into new legal jurisdictions
Coordinate litigation tracking, settlements, and enforcement alongside Asset Management, Finance, and Operations for asset resolution
Standardize legal workflows for dispute and litigation management
Develop and document legal department policies, procedures, and operational benchmarks
Identify bottlenecks and implement governance and quality assurance systems to ensure scalability and continuous improvement
Serve as the operational interface among Corporate Legal, ARCs, Finance, and General Counsel to resolve interdepartmental legal matters promptly
Support senior leadership by providing briefings, risk assessments, and operational legal reporting

Required Qualifications

Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school
Active and good standing bar membership preferred
8 to 15+ years in legal roles focusing on legal operations, corporate legal management, or in-house counsel experience
Proven experience establishing systems, governance, and procedures within legal departments
Background in compliance, commercial litigation, vendor management, and corporate law
Experience in private lending, financial services, fintech, or alternative finance is highly advantageous
Demonstrated capability managing outside counsel and legal expenditure control
Strong project management with operational insights and meticulous attention to detail
Experience supporting executive leadership in a deputy, chief of staff, or business management role
Strong familiarity with U.S. federal and state legal and regulatory requirements, based in the U.S.

Remote Work Requirements

Reliable and stable internet connection
Professional and dedicated workspace for remote working

Preferred Industry Experience

Financial services, commercial/private lending, banking, fintech, specialty finance, mortgage lending, or similar regulated sectors

Key Soft Skills

Operational excellence focused on process optimization and efficiency
Effective communication skills with executive leadership
Strong stakeholder engagement and cross-functional partnership building
Negotiation skills geared towards practical business outcomes
Sound business acumen balancing legal risks and commercial objectives
Sound judgment in risk-based decision making
Proactive problem-solving for complex legal and operational challenges

Essential Technical Skills

Legal operations management including workflows and processes
Corporate governance and entity management oversight
Regulatory compliance monitoring and enforcement
Contract drafting, negotiation, and review
Litigation management and outside counsel coordination
Vendor and law firm relationship management
Legal budget oversight and cost control
Risk identification and mitigation

Compensation and Benefits

The role offers a base salary starting at $150,000 annually, complemented by eligibility for incentive compensation through equity and deferred cash bonuses in accordance with company policy.

Additional benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance coverage, a 401(k) retirement plan with company matching, paid holidays, and paid time off (PTO).

This is a remote position which may require occasional travel.

SVP Corporate Legal