Head of Regulatory Legal

Company Description
Block is one company built from many blocks, all united by the same purpose of economic empowerment. The blocks that form our foundational teams - People, Finance, Counsel, Hardware, Information Security, Platform Infrastructure Engineering, and more - provide support and guidance at the corporate level. They work across business groups and around the globe, spanning time zones and disciplines to develop inclusive People policies, forecast finances, give legal counsel, safeguard systems, nurture new initiatives, and more. Every challenge creates possibilities, and we need different perspectives to see them all. Bring yours to Block.
Job Description
Block is looking for an experienced executive to lead the legal regulatory organization. You will lead, manage, and develop a team of regulatory attorneys and professionals to support Block's growing ecosystem. You will be a trusted advisor to senior management and provide guidance on a spectrum of regulatory matters at the enterprise level across all of our business units: Square, Cash App, TIDAL, TBD, Proto and Spiral. You will advise and advocate on behalf of issues at the regulatory intersection of technology and financial services, including global payments, lending, remittances, banking services, and digital assets.
You will be part of the Block Counsel leadership team and will report directly to the Chief Legal Officer.
You will:

• Lead a team of regulatory attorneys and professionals specializing in payments, banking services, lending, digital assets, broker-dealer operations, and income tax filings, responsible for licensing and exam management.
• Provide entrepreneurial, pragmatic, business-oriented legal and regulatory guidance on existing and emerging products.
• Monitor regulatory developments, assess their potential impact on the company's operations, and advise senior management accordingly.
• Advise on legal, regulatory, and industry requirements for payments and related financial services activities.
• Identify risk areas and develop systems, policies, and procedures to manage and mitigate them.
• Manage and oversee regulatory inquiries from regulatory authorities.
• Partner with the Policy team to design strategies for proactive regulatory engagement and manage relationships with regulators.
• Balance risks and business rewards with a commitment to superior customer service.
• Develop and implement regulatory strategies to ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and guidelines in all jurisdictions where Block operates.
• Lead regulatory reviews, audits, and examinations, coordinating responses and remediation efforts with Compliance, Policy, and other stakeholders as necessary.
• Serve as a thought leader within the Counsel leadership team, contributing to regulatory and legal strategy, company priorities, and team development.
• Collaborate with counsel stakeholders, including compliance, privacy, product counsel, litigation, and other relevant functions, to address regulatory and compliance issues efficiently.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders, including regulators, industry groups, and internal teams.
• Provide guidance and support to internal teams on regulatory issues to support strategic growth projects, including investments, M&A, or other transactions, ensuring compliance with applicable requirements in existing and new jurisdictions.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 12 years of combined relevant experience, working in-house, at a law firm, or with a financial services regulatory agency.
• Global experience with fintech, consumer finance, payments, and banking issues, with digital assets experience considered a plus.
• Proven experience in regulatory engagement, including rulemakings, supervision, and enforcement matters, and existing relationships with financial service regulators at the state, federal, and global levels.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing teams of legal professionals, including strategic planning, budget management, resource allocation, and fostering career development.
• Skilled in drafting policies, guidance documents, and developing scalable processes.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly learn, prioritize multiple urgent tasks, and provide clear, executable direction amidst ambiguity.
• Strong capability to simplify complex issues, offering pragmatic, operationalizable advice and solutions.
• A team- oriented mindset with a strong ability to build relationships and work collaboratively within the legal team and cross-functionally at all organizational levels.
• Excellent executive communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
• Prior experience in fintech preferred.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 12 years of combined relevant experience, working in-house, at a law firm, or with a financial services regulatory agency.
• Global experience with fintech, consumer finance, payments, and banking issues, with digital assets experience considered a plus.
• Proven experience in regulatory engagement, including rulemakings, supervision, and enforcement matters, and existing relationships with financial service regulators at the state, federal, and global levels.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing teams of legal professionals, including strategic planning, budget management, resource allocation, and fostering career development.
• Skilled in drafting policies, guidance documents, and developing scalable processes.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly learn, prioritize multiple urgent tasks, and provide clear, executable direction amidst ambiguity.
• Strong capability to simplify complex issues, offering pragmatic, operationalizable advice and solutions.
• A team- oriented mindset with a strong ability to build relationships and work collaboratively within the legal team and cross-functionally at all organizational levels.
• Excellent executive communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
• Prior experience in fintech preferred.