Description:

About Farm Credit Illinois
Farm Credit Illinois (FCI) is an agricultural financial cooperative owned by more than 17,400 farmer, rural landowner, and agribusiness voting stockholders in the southern 60 counties of Illinois. Dedicated to Helping Farm Families Succeed, FCI provides competitive and flexible financing, crop insurance expertise, and Rural 1st® country life lending. FCI manages an $8 billion loan portfolio, sells 1.5 million acres of crop insurance coverage, and employs approximately 300 staff in the Mahomet headquarters and 14 regional offices. The U.S. Farm Credit System is a network of locally owned cooperatives supporting rural communities, farm families, and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services today and tomorrow.

Why join us:

Competitive compensation package. Grade and salary commensurate with experience, with an annualized base salary range of 275,000.00 - 325,000.00 plus a bonus based on team and individual performance. This range is a good-faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of this posting.
Comprehensive benefit package includes 401(k) with 3% employer contribution and 6% employer match, vacation days, sick days, 13 paid holidays, parental leave, and volunteer leave, along with medical, dental, vision, and life insurance as further described at https://www.farmcreditfoundations.com/fcfbenefits/
Opportunity to serve as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team and influence strategic direction
Professional development and career growth opportunities.
Opportunity to work for a reputable and community-focused financial institution dedicated to a positive, collaborative work environment that encompasses the association's mission to serve our members and the agricultural industry as we strive to help farm families succeed

The Role:
The Senior Vice President & General Counsel serves as the chief legal officer and a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, providing strategic legal guidance, managing legal and regulatory risk, supporting corporate governance, and ensuring compliance across the Association.

This role also serves as Corporate Secretary to the Board of Directors and provides executive oversight of the legal function and other assigned functional areas, while enabling the Association's strategic objectives and growth initiatives.

What You Will Contribute

Provide executive leadership as a member of the Senior Leadership Team by shaping strategy, guiding organizational priorities, and aligning initiatives with the Association's mission and goals
Serve as the Association's primary legal advisor, offering guidance on corporate, regulatory, lending, governance, employment, and litigation matters
Lead corporate governance activities as Corporate Secretary to the Board of Directors, supporting board operations, policies, and governance best practices
Oversee regulatory compliance by developing and monitoring policies, managing regulatory interactions, and ensuring adherence to applicable laws and regulations
Support business operations through contract oversight, legal review of strategic initiatives, and practical, business‑oriented legal guidance
Support enterprise risk management by mitigating risk exposure, managing litigation, and overseeing outside counsel relationships
Direct and develop assigned functional areas, providing leadership, coaching, and strategic oversight to teams while fostering collaboration and organizational effectiveness

What we are looking for:
Required Skills:

Strategic leadership capabilities with the ability to translate legal considerations into business solutions
Strong knowledge of corporate governance, regulatory compliance, litigation, and commercial legal practices
Excellent judgment, analytical thinking, and problem‑solving skills in complex and ambiguous environments
Exceptional communication and relationship‑building skills with the ability to influence executive leaders, board members, and external stakeholders
High degree of integrity, professionalism, and discretion in handling sensitive matters

Minimum Qualifications:

Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school
Minimum 15 years of legal or related experience, including at least 5 years of supervisory responsibility
Demonstrated experience advising senior executives and boards of directors and managing regulatory, governance, litigation, and commercial matters