Program Manager, Corporate Governance & Legal Department Operations Job at Sammons Financial Group (West Des Moines)

Job Description

The Program Manager, Corporate Governance & Legal Department Operations is responsible for the end-to-end ownership, execution, and continuous improvement of corporate governance processes across Sammons Financial Group Companies (Sammons Financial Group) and its member companies. This role serves as the primary owner of governance operations, including board and committee processes, entity management, regulatory filings, and governance-related reporting. Operating with a high degree of independence is expected to exercise sound judgment in managing governance matters, interpreting requirements, and resolving issues. The role is accountable for designing scalable processes, enhancing regulatory readiness, and strengthening governance frameworks. In addition, this role supports the Legal Department's Operations and Risk Management initiatives by building and optimizing processes, leveraging technology and data, and driving operational excellence across the Legal function.

Job Responsibility

Manage the corporate governance program for Sammons Financial Group entities, including the preparation and maintenance of minute books and written consents
Manage entity governance lifecycle activities, including formations, dissolutions, annual filings, officer/director changes, and related regulatory requirements
Maintain and continuously enhance entity management systems (e.g., Athennian) to ensure records are accurate, complete, and audit-ready
Serve as the primary point of contact for governance-related inquiries from internal stakeholders, auditors, regulators, and external partners
Exercise independent judgment in interpreting governance requirements, identifying risks, and determining appropriate courses of action
Interact regularly with senior leaders, board members, and external stakeholders with a high degree of professionalism, discretion, and confidence
Coordinate governance communications and logistics, ensuring clarity, timeliness, and accuracy
Translate complex governance, legal, and regulatory requirements into clear, actionable guidance for stakeholders
Build and maintain strong cross-functional relationships to drive alignment and execution across Legal, Finance, Risk, Compliance, and business units
Design, implement, and continuously improve corporate governance processes, workflows, and controls with a focus on scalability, efficiency, and risk mitigation
Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), governance guidelines, and process documentation
Identify and implement opportunities to reduce manual effort, streamline workflows, and minimize reliance on attorneys for routine governance activities
Leverage technology, automation, and AI to improve process efficiency, accuracy, and consistency
Partner with Legal, Risk, Compliance, and Internal Audit to support governance, reporting, and documentation requirements
Independently manage and coordinate responses to audits, regulatory inquiries, and information requests related to governance and legal operations
Proactively identify gaps or risks in governance practices and implement improvements aligned with regulatory expectations and internal frameworks
Support and help drive Legal Department Operations initiatives, including process improvement, tool implementation, and workflow optimization
Assist in the implementation, adoption, and ongoing enhancement of legal technology solutions (e.g., entity management, collaboration, and document management tools)
Partner with the VP, Associate General Counsel to identify, prioritize, and execute on opportunities to improve the Legal function's operational effectiveness
Contribute to cross-functional Enterprise Operations initiatives, including Strategic Sourcing, Vendor Management, Privacy, and Risk programs
Commitment to embrace Sammons Financial Group Companies shared values (Accountability, Connection, Openness, Respect and Integrity)
As stated within the Company Attendance and Punctuality policy, regular attendance is required and expected in order to meet the business service levels and workflow demands
Participate in other initiatives and/or projects as necessary

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree Required
Minimum 5 years' of experience in corporate governance, legal operations, paralegal, or related roles
Experience in financial services, insurance, or highly regulated industries Preferred
Demonstrated experience owning and managing governance processes Preferred
Strong knowledge of corporate governance processes, documentation, and regulatory requirements
Proficiency in entity management systems (e.g., Athennian) and legal technology tools
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (e.g., data analysis, pivot tables) and PowerPoint
Demonstrated ability to design, document, and improve workflows, SOPs, and operational processes
Strong program and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently
Ability to effectively interact with auditors, regulators, and senior leadership
Ability to conduct targeted legal or regulatory research and synthesize findings into actionable insights
Strong written and verbal communication skills with exceptional attention to detail
Demonstrated ability to leverage AI tools to enhance productivity and work quality
Sound judgment and ability to operate independently while keeping appropriate stakeholders informed
Ability to proactively identify opportunities to improve processes, reduce risk, and enhance governance maturity
Demonstrated high level of ownership, accountability, and follow-through
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
Criminal background check required

Nice to have

Experience in financial services, insurance, or highly regulated industries
Demonstrated experience owning and managing governance processes

What we offer

Comprehensive health coverage for you and your family, including Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA & FSA options, and term life insurance
Competitive compensation with a performance-based incentive program tied to clear goals and individual and/or company success
Invest in your future with our 100% company-funded Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), plus automatic enrollment in our 401(k)
Work–life balance that means something. Friday afternoons off year-round, generous paid time off, and paid holidays
Commit to your growth with paid development time, tuition reimbursement, and professional development opportunities across industry, individual, and leadership programs
Make an impact beyond the workplace through volunteer time off, and our company nonprofit matching gift program, supporting the causes that matter most to you
An ownership culture that inspires
join a connected, values-driven workplace where employees take accountability, support one another, and are empowered to do their best work—together shaping our future shared success

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Program Manager, Corporate Governance & Legal Department Operations

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