Assistant General Counsel - Regulatory / Licensing

The Opportunity:

The Assistant General Counsel (AGC) serves as a trusted legal partner on complex consumer finance matters while leading a small team of legal professionals. The AGC owns key regulatory workstreams across lending, auto finance, consumer protection, and debt collection helping American Credit Acceptance (ACA) translate changing legal requirements into clear, practical guidance and effective business controls.

This is a hands-on leadership role for an attorney who enjoys solving challenging regulatory questions, building strong cross-functional relationships, and developing people. Working closely with the General Counsel and partnering across Legal, Compliance, Originations, and Servicing, the AGC will help the business move forward responsibly while strengthening regulatory readiness.

Why This Role:

• Lead a team: Coach and develop small team of legal professionals while establishing clear priorities, accountability, and high standards.
• Own meaningful work: Take the lead on regulatory matters that directly affect lending and servicing operations.
• Influence business decisions: Partner with Compliance and business leaders to develop practical solutions to complex legal questions.
• Build for the future: Improve processes, controls, and governance practices that support consistency and responsible growth.

This role is onsite and based out of our headquarters in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Open to candidates willing to relocate. Position requires relocation to Spartanburg, SC by start date.

What You’ll Do:

Regulatory and Licensing:

• Provide strategic legal counsel and guidance on regulatory matters related to consumer protection, lending and auto-finance (FCRA for Lenders, TILA, ECOA, FDCPA, TCPA, EFTA, UDAPP).
• Own and drive corporate governance processes related to policy management including driving timely updates, alignment to regulatory requirements and cross-functional coordination. 
• As a lead counsel for loan originations, provide strategic and timely advice to the Business on adherence to state-specific lending laws, including usury caps, loan term rules, underwriting standards, and repayment schedules.
• As lead counsel for loan originations, advise the Business on existing and new product initiatives for indirect/direct lending, including applicable controls to manage related risks and compliance with law.
• Advise the Servicing Business on adherence to federal and state debt collection laws.
• Support initiatives related to state licensing and examinations and engagement with regulators.
• Partner cross-functionally with Compliance and Business leaders to interpret and operationalize regulatory requirements across originations and servicing, ensuring effective governance, monitoring, and risk management.

• • Evaluate changes in consumer protection, lending, auto finance, and debt collection laws
  • Implement and maintain controls to support ongoing regulatory compliance
• Liaise with outside counsel on regulatory matters.

What You Bring:

• Drive a culture of accountability, performance and development across the Legal team by coaching and leading a team, setting clear expectations, and reinforcing high standards.
• Highly motivated, meticulous professional who thrives in fast-paced environments with a strong sense of professionalism. 
• Excellent communication and presentation skills. 

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• 10+ years of related experience, including experience in an in-house legal role.
• Active bar admission in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Prior leadership experience with success coaching and developing teams, influencing senior stakeholders, and driving cross-functional outcomes.  
• Knowledge and experience in auto finance is preferred.

Who We Are

At American Credit Acceptance (ACA), we’re not just navigating the road ahead—we’re building it. As a national leader in auto finance with over $7 billion in assets, thousands of dealer partners, and more than 1,000 associates across the country, we’re fulfilling our mission — to enable the emerging credit consumer to purchase affordable and reliable transportation. We’re equally committed to helping our customers improve their credit and achieve long-term financial stability. 

Since 2007, we’ve built a business grounded in integrity, innovation, and a commitment to service. Whether you’re launching your career or looking for your next opportunity, ACA is a place where you can make a meaningful impact—on our customers, our industry, and your future.