Chief Legal Officer

About World Business Lenders World Business Lenders (WBL) is a privately held portfolio lender specializing in real estate-secured business loans for underserved businesses. WBL operates with a fully remote, multinational workforce and an experienced executive leadership team. Typically, the work schedule is from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, though additional hours may be required based on business needs. About the Role WBL is seeking an SVP of Corporate Legal to serve as the operational anchor and administrative backbone of the Corporate Legal department. This is not a purely practicing attorney role; it is an operational legal executive who will get hands‑on with the day‑today mechanics of corporate legal functions while building the systems, workflows, and governance structures needed to scale the department. The ideal candidate must have direct experience within a Non‑QM mortgage company or Non‑QM mortgage lending environment, with a strong understanding of the legal, regulatory, operational, and business requirements specific to specialty mortgage lending. This role serves as the operational backbone of the Corporate Legal department by maintaining alignment across all legal functions, surfacing risks proactively, driving workflow efficiency, and ensuring complete execution across every departmental priority. The SVP of Corporate Legal will work in close collaboration with the ARCs, Finance, and General Counsel. What Success Looks Like Builds scalable legal operations, workflows, and governance that support business growth. Drives operational excellence across compliance, legal spend, litigation, and corporate governance. Partners with executive leadership to proactively identify and mitigate legal and operational risks. Improves efficiency through standardized processes, reporting, and cross‑functional collaboration. Ensures the Corporate Legal department operates as a strategic, business‑focused function. What You’ll Be Doing (Core Responsibilities) Legal Operations & Billing Management Oversee and manage all corporate legal billing, including outside counsel spend, invoice review, and budget tracking. Implement systems to control and optimize legal spend across the organization. Establish and maintain billing workflows, approval processes, and reporting. Compliance & Regulatory Oversight Support the compliance framework across WBL’s lending, servicing, and corporate operations Monitor adherence to applicable federal and state regulations including usury laws, licensing requirements, and disclosure obligations Maintain compliance policies, procedures, and training documentation Vendor & Law Firm Management Manage relationships with outside counsel, legal vendors, and service providers Oversee vendor contracting, engagement letters, and performance standards Drive efficiency in law firm engagement and litigation adjudication processes. IP, Entity & Corporate Governance Oversee entity management, corporate filings, board resolutions, and governance documentation Manage intellectual property matters and ensure proper documentation and protection Support corporate structuring and expansion into new jurisdictions Litigation Adjudication & Asset Resolution Support Coordinate and manage litigation tracking, settlements, and enforcement actions Partner with Asset Management, Finance, and Operations teams on non‑performing asset resolution Establish standardized legal workflows for dispute management and litigation oversight Workflow, Systems & Process Building Build and document legal department policies, procedures, and operational standards Identify and eliminate bottlenecks within Corporate Legal workflows Implement governance structures, quality assurance processes, and scalability frameworks Drive continuous improvement across all legal operational functions Cross-Functional Collaboration Serve as the primary operational liaison between Corporate Legal and ARCs, Finance, and General Counsel Ensure timely escalation and resolution of interdepartmental legal matters Support executive leadership with briefings, risk identification, and legal operational reporting. Education JD from an accredited law school. Active bar membership in good standing preferred. Required Experience: Direct experience working within a Non‑QM mortgage company is required. Candidates must have industry experience in Non‑QM mortgage lending, specialty mortgage finance, or a closely related mortgage lending environment. 8–15+ years of legal experience, with significant emphasis on legal operations, corporate legal management, or in‑house counsel roles Demonstrated experience building systems, processes, and governance structures within a legal department Background in compliance, commercial litigation, vendor management, and corporate law Experience in private lending, financial services, fintech, or alternative finance strongly preferred Proven ability to manage outside counsel and control legal spend Strong project management skills with big‑picture operational thinking and attention to detail Experience supporting senior leadership in an operational, deputy, chief of staff, or business management capacity U.S.-based; strong working knowledge of U.S. federal and state legal and regulatory frameworks Remote Work Requirements Stable, reliable internet connection. Professional and dedicated remote working setup. Required Industry Background: Non‑QM Mortgage Lending (required) Specialty Mortgage Finance Private Lending Commercial Lending Financial Services Preferred Additional Experience: Banking FinTech Alternative Finance Other highly regulated industries Key Soft Skills: Operational excellence – Drives process improvements and efficiency. Executive communication – Communicates effectively with senior leaders. Stakeholder management – Builds strong cross‑functional partnerships. Negotiation – Reaches practical business outcomes. Business acumen – Balances legal and commercial priorities. Sound judgment – Makes informed, risk‑based decisions. Problem‑solving – Resolves complex legal and operational issues. Specific Technical Skills Needed: Legal operations – Manages legal processes and workflows. Corporate governance – Oversees governance and entity management. Regulatory compliance – Ensures compliance with legal requirements. Contract negotiation – Drafts, reviews, and negotiates agreements. Litigation management – Coordinates disputes and outside counsel. Vendor management – Oversees legal vendors and law firms. Legal spend management – Manages budgets and outside counsel costs. Risk management – Identifies and mitigates legal risks. What We Offer Compensation includes a base salary of $250,000, plus incentive compensation eligibility (equity and deferred cash bonus), based on level and company policy. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage; a 401(k) with company match; and paid holidays and paid time off (PTO). Work Environment: This is a remote role with occasional travel. #J-18808-Ljbffr