Assistant General Counsel, Corporate Governance

Wella

5d•$225,000 - $245,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Assistant General Counsel – Corporate & Securities is a critical member of the global Legal Team, reporting to the VP, Legal – Corporate, Governance & Securities, and serving as a principal legal advisor on U.S. corporate, securities, and governance matters. This role reflects the continued evolution and increasing complexity of Wella Company’s global corporate and capital structure. The Assistant General Counsel will lead key aspects of the U.S. corporate and securities agenda, provide seasoned judgment on governance and disclosure matters, and partner closely with the Legal team, Finance, Tax, HR, and senior business leaders across the enterprise. The role requires deep experience in U.S. corporate and securities law, ideally gained at a nationally recognized law firm, with demonstrated exposure to complex capital markets, governance, and public or private company environments. Global experience and comfort operating in a matrixed, international organization are highly valued. In addition, the role will help support procurement and supply chain activities, particularly in manufacturing and IT contracting. A strong executive presence, commercial mindset, and solutions‑oriented approach are essential. This position is based in New York and operates on a hybrid schedule, with three days per week in office.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited US law school with strong academic credentials; active New York Bar membership required.
8–12+ years of progressive corporate legal experience, including at a leading law firm; in‑house experience within a multinational organization strongly preferred.
Deep expertise in U.S. corporate and securities law, including public or private company governance, disclosure, and capital markets transactions.
Demonstrated ability to advise senior executives and operate effectively at leadership and Board‑adjacent levels.
Proven experience working within global, matrixed organizations and supporting cross‑border entities and stakeholders.
Experience with capital markets, financings, and strategic transactions.
Exceptional drafting, negotiation, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, actionable business guidance.
Strong executive judgment, independence, and ability to lead matters to completion in a fast‑paced, demanding environment.
Ability to manage multiple complex, high‑impact projects under tight timelines.
Track record of managing multiple strategic workstreams with composure, responsiveness, and disciplined prioritization.
Experience with diligence portals, virtual data rooms, subsidiary management tools, and collaboration platforms.
High integrity, professionalism, and a practical, solutions‑oriented mindset.

Nice To Haves

Global experience and comfort operating in a matrixed, international organization are highly valued.
Industry experience in beauty, CPG, manufacturing, or related sectors preferred.
Experience supporting supply chain, procurement, and IT contracting activities strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted advisor to the VP Legal and senior leadership on U.S. corporate, securities, and governance matters.
Help lead securities law compliance, including oversight of disclosure obligations, review of investor communications, and external public‑facing materials.
Own and continuously enhance public‑company governance frameworks, including insider trading policies, Regulation FD, disclosure controls, and related compliance infrastructure.
Play a central role in public reporting processes, including leadership oversight of proxy statement preparation and Section 16 reporting compliance.
Provide senior legal leadership on capital‑raising, financing, and strategic corporate transactions, partnering closely with Finance and external counsel.
Partner with cross‑functional team members to oversee legal aspects of equity compensation programs, including governance, compliance, and alignment with SEC and employment requirements.
Monitor emerging regulatory, governance, and market trends; proactively translate developments into practical guidance for leadership and the Board.
Partner with EU Corporate Senior Counsel, Tax, and Finance leadership on global entity optimization, restructuring, and governance strategy.
Work closely with existing team members to drive legal oversight of cross‑border governance and entity management across the global corporate structure.
Ensure high‑quality preparation and review of Board, shareholder, and subsidiary meeting materials, including resolutions, minutes, and statutory documentation.
Set standards and provide oversight for digital governance tools, subsidiary management platforms, databases, and internal repositories (e.g., SharePoint).
Oversee setup and administration of diligence portals and virtual data rooms in connection with transactions, financings, and strategic initiatives.
Provide senior legal support to supply chain and procurement leadership, and legal team, including negotiation and oversight of complex procurement agreements.
Advise on legal and regulatory considerations impacting global supply chain and procurement operations, balancing risk management with business continuity and efficiency.
Support development of scalable contracting approaches and risk frameworks aligned with global standards.
Act as a visible leader within the Legal function, contributing to a high‑performing, collaborative global team culture.
Partner with cross‑functional leaders to deliver pragmatic, business‑focused legal advice that supports strategic objectives.
Champion continuous improvement initiatives across corporate practices, corporate governance, contracting, and legal operations.
Serve as a role model for judgment, integrity, and ethical decision‑making across the organization.