Eric Schecter – Galaxy

Eric Schecter has built a career defined by adaptability, trust, and a willingness to step into ambiguity, qualities that have become essential in his role as head of legal employment, compensation and benefits at Galaxy.

Eric Schecter | Galaxy | Head of Legal Employment, Compensation and Benefits

Schecter joined Galaxy in July 2021 at a pivotal moment in the company’s growth. At the time, the organization had roughly 100 employees and a largely New York-centric footprint. Today, Galaxy has expanded to over 700 employees across a growing list of domestic and international locations, reflecting both its ambition and the complexity of its business.

He was brought in as the first lawyer dedicated to compensation and benefits, but the scope of his responsibilities quickly expanded. The role required a comprehensive understanding of the employee lifecycle, from hiring and onboarding to performance management and offboarding, along with a broader perspective on how those processes connect to business strategy.

“I am involved with every aspect of the employee lifecycle from the initial hiring phase to onboarding, from compensation and benefits strategy and design to drafting, from employee relations to performance management, and more, from rank and file up through senior executives, and across every business line,” Schecter says.

While his primary internal client and most frequent collaborator is Galaxy’s chief people officer and the members of her team, his work spans nearly every business within Galaxy’s Digital Assets operating segment, including trading, asset management, investment banking, venture investing, and infrastructure solutions, and Galaxy’s Data Centers operating segment. The role requires constant collaboration and a willingness to engage across disciplines, often translating complex legal considerations into practical guidance.

“It’s about building trust, always listening intently, and embracing problem solving,” Schecter says. “It’s important to me that members of the business, especially our Chief People Officer and the members of her team, feel they can come to me and just talk through questions they may have or challenges they may be encountering, legal or otherwise.”

The world is complex

Galaxy’s expansion has created a dynamic environment for employment law and compliance. The company has extended its reach across the United States, Europe and Asia, each with its own regulatory expectations.

Each jurisdiction introduces a distinct legal framework that must be understood and addressed. Even within the United States, employment laws vary significantly by state, adding complexity to policies, agreements, and compensation structures.

Schecter has been deeply involved in building the legal infrastructure necessary to support this growth. His work includes developing policies, structuring compensation programs, and ensuring compliance across multiple jurisdictions. He also plays a key role in evaluating and integrating acquisition targets, helping align new teams with Galaxy’s standards and culture.

“Everything that we accomplish as a company is due to the tremendous effort and dedication of all our employees,” Schecter says. “That means the work I do touches large parts of our business, and that’s one of the great things about my role,” Schecter says.

Galaxy operates at the intersection of digital finance and emerging technologies, building infrastructure for the digital economy through blockchains and digital assets while also investing in data center infrastructure to support artificial intelligence capabilities. The company is focused on creating systems that enable faster, more efficient financial transactions, positioning itself in a rapidly evolving landscape.

The company’s listing on Nasdaq marked a major milestone and introduced additional layers of responsibility. Public company status requires increased transparency, more rigorous reporting, and a heightened focus on attracting and retaining top talent, all of which intersect with Schecter’s role.

Shaping the employee experience

Schecter’s approach has increasingly emphasized the employee experience. In a workforce that skews younger and operates in a competitive talent market, creating an environment where employees feel supported and heard has become a strategic priority.

“I feel a responsibility for the entire workforce,” Schecter says.

Rather than focusing solely on risk mitigation, he considers how decisions affect employees over time and how they align with company goals. This perspective has led him to take a more integrated approach, blending legal guidance with empathy and an understanding of workplace dynamics.

The rise of technology has added another dimension to this work. Increased connectivity, social media, and artificial intelligence have reshaped expectations around communication, performance, and accountability. Employees are more connected than ever, but that connectivity also introduces new risks.

On the topic of AI, he recognizes AI as a useful tool for problem-solving and information gathering. “It can be a very powerful tool when used carefully and thoughtfully,” Schecter says. In a fast-paced environment where questions arise constantly, technology can provide a starting point, but it requires careful oversight to ensure accuracy. “At this stage in its life cycle, it remains very important to take a trust but verify approach with any AI tool,” Schecter says.

Schecter believes that maintaining high standards of work is critical, regardless of the tools being used. Ownership, attention to detail, and accountability remain essential, particularly in a field where errors can have significant consequences.

Embracing challenges & continuous growth

Schecter’s professional philosophy centers on continuous growth and a refusal to become complacent. His move in-house was driven by a desire for broader challenges and closer engagement with business operations.

“For me, it’s important to always push forward and find new challenges,” Schecter says.

The role often requires stepping outside one’s comfort zone. Schecter approaches unfamiliar situations as opportunities to learn, emphasizing problem-solving and collaboration. He believes that success comes from asking the right questions, involving the right people, and working toward practical solutions.

He is also committed to mentoring younger employees, encouraging them to take ownership of their work and embrace challenges early in their careers. In his view, growth often comes from discomfort, and developing resilience is key to long-term success.

Background & the path to Galaxy

Schecter earned his undergraduate degree in political science from Brandeis University and a law degree from The George Washington University Law School. Early on, he considered a career in real estate law before finding his way into executive compensation and employment work.

After spending almost a decade working at two global law firms, and then another almost six years at a “big four” accounting firm, he joined Galaxy, where his experience has helped build a function that supports a rapidly evolving organization. His path was not predetermined but shaped by a series of opportunities that allowed him to develop a specialized skill set.

“My career path has not been a straight line and has been somewhat unique, but that’s what has made it interesting,” Schecter says.

Outside of work, he spends time with his wife, two sons and their dog, Molly, which these days usually means traveling around to watch his boys play sports (soccer and baseball mainly). He is an avid baseball fan and a die-hard Mets fan, and stays active through yoga and recreational sports like softball. These pursuits provide balance in a role that demands constant attention and adaptability.

As Galaxy continues to expand, Schecter remains focused on navigating complexity, building trust, and supporting a workforce that is central to the company’s success. He views his role not as static but as one that must evolve alongside the business, adapting to new challenges, regulatory demands, and cultural expectations. His ability to evolve alongside the organization helps him remain a key player in shaping its future.