Vice President & Chief Counsel, Americas

Overview

An established global manufacturing organization is seeking a Vice President & Chief Counsel, Americas to provide strategic legal leadership across the Americas region. This senior legal executive will report to the SVP, Chief Legal Officer and serve as the primary legal partner to regional business leadership, balancing legal risk with commercial objectives to enable business growth.

This role leads the regional legal team, oversees legal support across the Americas, and participates as a member of the Global Legal Leadership Team. The position requires delivering practical, business-focused legal counsel while building organizational capability and driving consistency across the region.

The position can be based in Towson, Maryland; Charlotte, North Carolina; or New Britain, Connecticut. Remote locations will also be considered, but accessibility to East Coast hub locations is required.

Responsibilities

Regional Legal Team Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and execute the legal strategy for the Americas aligned with enterprise priorities across multiple business units.
• Partner with executive leadership to proactively identify legal risks and business opportunities.
• Balance legal, commercial, and operational considerations in strategic decision-making.
• Drive consistency in legal support across countries and business units.
• Lead, develop, and coach a high-performing regional legal team.
• Allocate resources to support evolving business priorities.
• Foster collaboration across legal, compliance, and enterprise functions.
• Drive talent development, succession planning, and organizational capability.

Strategic Business Partnership

• Serve as the senior legal advisor to regional executive leadership.
• Support commercial growth, strategic initiatives, acquisitions, and business transformations.
• Advise on complex legal, regulatory, and corporate governance matters, including marketing claims, advertising, and pricing.
• Provide practical, business-focused legal counsel that enables growth while managing risk.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Oversee significant litigation, investigations, and material legal matters.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with Compliance, Privacy, Trade Compliance, and Corporate Affairs on enterprise initiatives.
• Escalate significant legal risks appropriately.

Drive Operational Excellence

• Promote efficient, scalable legal service delivery.
• Champion continuous improvement and process simplification.
• Partner with Legal Operations to improve technology adoption and operational effectiveness.
• Establish operating rhythms and performance expectations across the region.

Global Legal Leadership

• Serve as an active member of the Global Legal Leadership Team.
• Collaborate with Regional Counsel leaders to drive consistency across the global legal function.
• Support enterprise initiatives, organizational design, and legal transformation.
• Lead cross-functional strategic initiatives as assigned by the General Counsel.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school; active license to practice law.
• Minimum 10 years of legal experience with significant exposure to commercial business law in a consumer-oriented environment.
• Experience in consumer packaged goods or durable goods is preferred.
• Proven track record in a senior legal counsel or executive role within a multinational commercial organization with a manufacturing footprint.
• Experience leading geographically dispersed legal teams.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, matrixed global environment.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $285,000.00 - $425,000.00 annually.
• Salary offered within the range may vary based on job level, geographic location, knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and compliance with local wage requirements.
• Eligibility for annual merit increases.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life, vision, disability insurance, 401(k), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, paid time off, and tuition reimbursement.
• Discounts on company tools and partner programs.

Location

• Primary locations: Towson, Maryland; Charlotte, North Carolina; New Britain, Connecticut.
• Remote work options considered with required accessibility to East Coast hubs.