Legal Counsel

What we offer you

· Medical, Rx, Dental, Disability, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts

· Retirement Savings Plans with Company Match/Contributions

· Education Assistance

· Bonus Plan Eligibility

· Parental Leave

Job Summary

The Legal Counsel role is designed for a qualified attorney with at least 6 years (post-JD) of legal experience either at a law firm or in-house. The role provides strategic legal support across a broad spectrum of corporate, commercial, regulatory, and other legal matters, serving as a key advisor and subject matter expert in at least two areas of law (preferably one in employment law) to internal stakeholders with little supervision. The role involves such responsibilities as drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex contracts, analyzing and advising on compliance matters, and supporting compliance/corporate governance initiatives. The role may also assist more senior attorneys with M&A transactions and other important projects. The role involves leading projects in commercial transactions, employment law, data privacy, litigation, and intellectual property issues. The role requires strong business acumen and the ability to deliver practical legal solutions that align with organizational goals. Additional responsibilities include developing and delivering legal training programs, managing outside counsel, and contributing to the enhancement of legal processes and policies. The role is a member of the Group Legal Department and reports directly to the Vice President & Head of Legal - North America. 

What you will be doing

• Provide proactive, pragmatic legal advice on a wide range of corporate, commercial, regulatory, and compliance matters. 
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex contracts, including supply, distribution, licensing, procurement, and technology agreements. 
• Advise on compliance, corporate governance, and risk management initiatives; develop and implement legal policies, playbooks, and training. 
• Lead small to mid-level M&A transactions, including due diligence, deal structuring, agreements and post-merger integration.
• Lead small to mid-level litigation, dispute resolution, and regulatory investigations, while closely managing outside counsel. 
• Draft documents and communicate with clarity and precision. 
• Serve and be responsible as the lead legal contract for one or more business units or functional areas. 
• Mentor and provide guidance to Associate Legal Counsel; review their work as needed. 
• Lead strategic legal projects and continuous improvement initiatives within the legal department. 
• Serve as a legal resource to internal stakeholders to understand and support their needs and priorities.
• Stay abreast of legal and industry developments, proactively identifying risks and opportunities for the business. 

What will make you successful?

Required Education/Experience:

• Juris Doctor degree from a fully accredited U.S. law school
• License to practice law in the state of Illinois.
• At least 6 years of post-Juris Doctor legal experience, ideally with a combination of law firm training and in-house counsel exposure, covering a variety of legal subject areas.
• Demonstrated experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a variety of commercial contracts.
• Proven ability to provide sound legal advice on broad spectrum of corporate, commercial, regulatory, and other legal matters.
• Exposure to cross-functional collaboration across multiple jurisdictions with a broad variety of business functions.
• Experience managing outside legal counsel. 

Preferred Skills/Qualifications:

• Strong understanding of foundational principles in contract law, corporate law, and compliance.
• Some familiarity with employment law, data privacy regulations, and intellectual property.
• Working knowledge of legal risk management principles and corporate governance practices.
• Awareness of industry-specific legal and regulatory frameworks.
• Understanding of litigation processes and dispute resolution strategies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex legal issues, while maintaining a pragmatic orientation.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills tailored to both legal and non-legal audiences, especially in the context of providing training.
• Creativity and resourcefulness. Proactive and enthusiastic team-player attitude.
• Sound project management skills, including the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously, as well as adapt to changing priorities.

10-20% travel to North American plant locations, with international travel to one Group Legal Department meeting per year.