Assistant Gen Counsel, Corp & Securities

A. O. Smith•Milwaukee, WI

17h•Hybrid

About The Position

A. O. Smith Corporation is seeking an experienced, business-oriented corporate attorney to join our Legal Department as Assistant General Counsel, Corporate & Securities. Reporting to the General Counsel and located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this attorney will be involved in a broad range of legal, corporate and department issues, with a focus on the company’s securities and regulatory compliance, corporate governance, M&A transactions and corporate secretary matters.

Requirements

Must have earned a Juris Doctor degree
At least 7-10 years of broad experience as a securities and corporate transactions attorney advising global, publicly-traded manufacturing companies headquartered in the U.S.
Must demonstrate the highest standards of personal and professional integrity and character and promote ethical business behavior throughout the organization.
Must be a pragmatic, results-oriented lawyer with strong business acumen.
Demonstrate a positive, professional, and collaborative demeanor to gain the confidence, trust and reliance of colleagues around the world.
Develop and maintain a strong network of relationships inside and outside the organization to support the objectives of the Legal Department and the Company
Must be a team player.
Achieve an understanding of the Company’s businesses, policies, people, goals and risks.
Speak in lay terms to a range of audiences about legal challenges of the Company

Nice To Haves

In-house legal experience, preferably coupled with earlier experience at a major law firm.
Willingness to travel to global locations, as needed.

Responsibilities

Manage legal aspects of all SEC filings (10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, Section 16 reports/Form 4) and ensure compliance with NYSE listing standards.
Advise on board and committee matters, prepare board materials, maintain corporate records, and help draft the annual proxy statement.
Help to develop and maintain disclosure controls and procedures, partnering with Finance, Internal Audit and Investor Relations on quarterly earnings releases, calls and scripts, as well as other analyst/investor meetings.
Oversee insider trading policies, trading windows and 10b5-1 plans.
Support the annual stockholder meeting and partner with Investor Relations to manage shareholder proposals and proxy advisory relationships.
Provide legal support for mergers, acquisitions, share repurchases, capital markets activities (debt/equity offerings) and other corporate transactions.
Lead legal due diligence, analyzing risks related to legal and regulatory issues, compliance and liabilities.
Draft, review and negotiate transaction documents, including letters of intent, confidentiality agreements and purchase agreements.
Help design, implement and maintain enterprise-wide risk management frameworks and partner with Strategy, Internal Audit and Business Units to integrate risk management and mitigation plans across the enterprise.
Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including antitrust laws, import/export activities and industry-specific regulations.
Manage external legal counsel and budgets.