VP, Head of Legal, Mexico

Description and Requirements
Title: VP, Head of Legal, Mexico
Location : Mexico City
Setting : Hybrid
Reports to title : SVP, Legal Head-LatAm
Travel: Minimal to none
The Opportunity
The VP, Head of Legal, Mexico protects, supports, and advises the business, by planning and directing the legal strategy so that the business is legally possible and profitable. This refers to matters dealing with contracts and suppliers, investments, industry regulations, operations, corporate governance, labor union, and litigation, with the purpose of contributing to the fulfillment of business goals in accordance with the legislation, statutes and regulations in force, providing a pro-business legal service.
This individual will protect and support the Country Manager in his/her daily duties. They are also responsible for the legal operation of MetLife Mexico, MetLife Mexico Servicios, Inversiones (MILA), and MetLife Pensiones, MetLife MAS and ML Capacitación. They will serve as the legal representative of Mexican entities before regulators, IRS and counterparties, acting and signing on behalf of the companies. General POAs. They will serve as the Corporate Secretary of local Boards. They will be involved with the coordination before the Mexican Insurance industries associations. They are responsible for Legal Privacy practice.
How You'll Help Us Build a Confident Future (Key Responsibilities)
Support and advise the business by planning and directing the legal strategy so the business is legally possible and profitable. This refers to matters dealing with contracts, investments, industry regulations, operations, corporate governance, labor and litigation, with the purpose of contributing to the fulfillment of business goals in accordance with the legislation, statutes and regulations in force, providing a pro-business legal service. To guarantee the legal certainty and security of the company based on current norms and regulations applicable to the corporate purpose of the business. To ensure the sustainability of the organization and full compliance with regulations in accordance with regulatory and legislative changes.
Plan and direct strategies and policies in the analysis, management and development of the company's legal affairs. To guarantee the achievement of positive results for the company in the acquired legal processes, safeguarding the institution's assets, according to the regulatory frameworks in force and the organization's principles. Responsible for all regulatory and legal matters in Mexico (all legal entities).
Direct the strategies and policies of legal advice according to the requirements of all business units and in accordance with current regulations. To contribute to the availability of information regarding existing regulatory frameworks and their interpretation, supporting decision making and regulatory compliance of the organization's operations.
Direct and control the consultancy in legal matters of investments, working together with the team in charge of the subject. To contribute to the availability of information that allows the identification of contingencies, being able to take decisions that support the management of investments in the funds that the company manages.
Direct and control the advice to the Board of Directors in its functions, and in issues associated with Corporate Governance. Contribute to ensure that the Board of Directors' agreements are in accordance with the laws, regulations and statutes in force.
Act as the legal representative of Mexican vehicles before local authorities. General POAs. And corporate Secretary of the local Boards.
What You Need to Succeed (Required Qualifications)
Overall business experience:

• Academic Background: Lawyer / Lawyer admitted to practice in Latin America
• Master's degree in law or business area. Master's Degree from another country preferred
• Experience as a corporate counsel (comprehensive)
• 15+ years of work experience as Chief Counsel
• Knowledge of highly regulated industries
• Experience working at complex multinational matrixed organizations

Business Knowledge/Technical Skills:

• Knowledge of Corporate Governance
• Manage and understand Mexico regulations
• Proven experience leading and managing large and varied team profiles
• Experience building trusted relationships and collaborating across the company
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills - must be able to communicate effectively internally with diverse team, as well as externally with regulators

Languages:

• Fluent in Spanish and English

Additional Competencies:

• Thinks Strategically - Sets direction aligned to the company's strategy, applying external and global perspective to meet local and global needs
• Seizes Opportunities - Seeks new opportunities and ways to create balanced business growth while improving operational capabilities
• Focuses on Customers - Promotes customer centricity and ensures focus on creating great customer experiences to achieve competitive advantage
• Motivates People - Gains people commitment to achieve business objectives through clear communication of the MetLife vision and flexing leadership styles to inspire high performance
• Grows Talent - Inclusively and proactively develops talent, empowers individuals and manages diverse teams to drive engagement and performance
• Drives Results - Sets aggressive goals and is accountable for continuously driving improved performance, leading change and ensuring high standards
• Creates Partnerships - Authentically builds trusted relationships and collaborates across global, diverse and multi-functional teams to successfully drive business objectives
• Models our Values - Creates a culture that promotes the MetLife values and standards through role modeling, accountability and ownership of decisions
• Business Acumen - Broad and independent functional knowledge of LatAm operations and strategies as well as their associated metrics.
• Consulting - Knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques and roles and responsibilities in providing technical or business guidance to clients within and outside own area.
• Influencing - Ability to impact decisions within and outside own organization; ability to influence people of different cultures and backgrounds, and at all levels of the organization
• Strategic Planning Process - In-depth knowledge of the MetLife strategic planning process

Assigned Resources:

• Direct Reports - Approximately 7 people
• Management Staff - Approximately 20 people

Benefits We Offer
Our benefits are designed to care for your holistic well-being with programs for physical and mental health, financial wellness, and support for families. We offer health care coverage for you and your family, insurance discounts for home, car, and pet protection, as well as parental leave. We also provide premium gym membership for you and your direct relatives, volunteer time off, discounts with specific universities, flexible Fridays, connectivity reimbursement, and much more!
About MetLife
Recognized on Fortune magazine's list of the 2024 "World's Most Admired Companies", MetLife, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world's leading financial services companies; providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to individual and institutional customers. With operations in more than 40 markets, we hold leading positions in the United States, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Our purpose is simple - to help our colleagues, customers, communities, and the world at large create a more confident future. United by purpose and guided by empathy, we're inspired to transform the next century in financial services. At MetLife, it's #AllTogetherPossible . Join us!
At MetLife, we are committed to fostering diversity among employees, through non-discriminatory treatment for reasons of gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, nationality, marital status, disability, physical or economic condition, HIV and embarrassment as a requirement for entry, permanence or ascension and there is equal employment opportunities.
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