Overview
This role serves as the sole in-house legal advisor for a global construction materials company and its affiliates, reporting directly to the CFO. The Director, Legal will oversee all legal affairs, manage external counsel, and provide strategic legal guidance on corporate, regulatory, and operational matters. The position requires collaboration with senior leadership to support company growth while managing risk and ensuring compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
This is a remote position with global travel requirements.
Responsibilities
- Oversee corporate governance, including board meetings and shareholder communications.
- Manage legal aspects of mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, partnerships, and other strategic transactions.
- Advise on corporate structure and reorganizations.
- Ensure compliance with local, state, federal laws, and industry regulations in collaboration with risk and audit functions.
- Monitor legal and regulatory changes impacting the business.
- Identify and mitigate potential legal risks.
- Manage worldwide litigation, claims, investigations, and dispute resolution.
- Select and manage external counsel, controlling legal spend and ensuring cost-effective representation.
- Develop litigation strategies and settlement approaches in coordination with senior leadership.
- Oversee insurance programs, claims management, and coverage matters with Finance and Risk teams.
- Draft and review contracts and licenses with customers, suppliers, and partners.
- Advise Human Resources and management on employment law matters including employee relations, discipline, terminations, compensation, and benefits.
- Support compliance with wage and hour laws, discrimination and harassment laws, immigration, and workplace safety regulations.
- Oversee protection, development, and enforcement of intellectual property including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.
- Support R&D and product development initiatives with IP strategy and risk management.
- Advise on technology agreements, data privacy, cybersecurity, AI usage, and digital transformation.
- Coordinate global IP strategy with external counsel and international teams.
Requirements
Education and Experience
- Juris Doctorate (JD) from an accredited law school.
- Active bar membership in good standing.
- Minimum 10 years of corporate legal experience, including at least two years at a law firm and majority in-house experience.
- Proven experience as sole or lead in-house counsel in a global organization preferred.
- Experience in global manufacturing companies selling through distribution preferred.
- Background in chemical industry and/or building products is a plus.
- International legal experience and experience with acquisitions and divestitures are advantageous.
Skills and Competencies
- Broad expertise in corporate, commercial, regulatory, manufacturing, employment, intellectual property, litigation, and compliance law.
- Strong understanding of product liability, regulatory compliance, environmental health and safety (EHS), and manufacturing risk.
- Experience managing mergers and acquisitions.
- Skilled in drafting and reviewing critical contracts including customer agreements, vendor contracts, partnership agreements, licensing, and employment contracts.
- Ability to provide practical, business-focused legal advice to senior and mid-level management.
- Proven ability to manage external legal counsel and legal budgets effectively.
- Exceptional judgment, discretion, and ethical standards.
- Ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, actionable guidance.
- Strong executive presence with ability to influence and advise senior leadership and Board members.
- Experience defining and defending intellectual property rights.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment managing multiple priorities.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Travel
- Approximately 25% travel required, including multi-day and international trips. Travel may increase based on business needs.
Compensation and Benefits
- Base salary range: $230,000 to $290,000, excluding bonuses and other compensation.
- Actual compensation will be based on experience, education, skills, work location, and other factors.
- Benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401(k), tuition reimbursement, 13 paid holidays plus vacation and sick time, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, AD&D, and supplemental insurance.
Location
- Remote position with global travel as needed.