Corporate Counsel, North America

Valvoline•Lexington, KY

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Corporate Counsel – North America serves as the lead legal advisor for key commercial and marketing-related activities across North America, including LD DIFM, HD DIFM, DIY, Channel Partners, and Marketing. This role owns legal support for these domains, partnering directly with senior business leaders to shape strategy, enable growth, and manage legal and regulatory risk. This position operates with a high degree of independence and accountability, providing both strategic and executional legal guidance across complex and high-impact initiatives. In addition to supporting core commercial activities, the role is responsible for advancing legal operations capabilities—particularly contract lifecycle management (CLM)—and establishing scalable processes that enhance efficiency and compliance. Reporting to the Senior Counsel – North America, this role also leads and develops one direct report and contributes to broader legal team effectiveness through functional leadership, knowledge sharing, and process improvement. The position is based in Lexington in a hybrid work environment.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school
Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
Minimum of 5 - 8 years of relevant legal experience, with demonstrated ability to operate with increasing independence and responsibility
Proven ability to independently manage complex commercial legal matters and advise business stakeholders
Strong experience reviewing and advising on marketing claims, advertising, sponsorships, promotions, sweepstakes, and giveaways
Experience implementing or leading workstreams related to Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) systems strongly preferred
Prior experience managing, mentoring, or leading others; direct people management experience preferred
Advanced contract drafting, negotiation, and risk assessment skills
Strong business acumen and ability to influence decision-making at multiple levels of the organization
Ability to establish processes, drive adoption, and improve ways of working
Occasional travel required (approximately 10–15%) to support business initiatives and team engagement

Nice To Haves

Industry experience (automotive, retail, or distribution) preferred but not required
Distributor or channel partner experience

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary legal owner for assigned North America business segments (LD DIFM, HD DIFM, DIY, Channel Partners), accountable for end-to-end legal support and risk management
Partner directly with senior business leadership to influence commercial strategy, structure complex arrangements, and support market expansion initiatives
Lead negotiation and structuring of high-impact commercial agreements, including distribution, supply, and strategic partnerships
Establish legal frameworks and standards that enable scalable, consistent support across business lines
Provide expert guidance on distributor models and channel strategies, including associated legal and business considerations
Own legal oversight of marketing and advertising activities, ensuring compliant and risk-balanced execution across campaigns and initiatives
Advise marketing leadership on brand positioning
Structure and approve sponsorships, promotional programs, sweepstakes, and giveaways
Develop and implement policies, playbooks, and training to drive consistency and compliance in marketing practices
Lead the evolution of Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) capabilities within the commercial North America legal function
Define contracting standards, templates, and governance models to improve efficiency, reduce risk, and enhance visibility
Drive adoption of CLM tools and processes across business stakeholders, influencing behavior and ensuring sustained utilization
Identify and implement continuous improvements in legal workflows, leveraging technology and best practices
Manage and develop one direct report, providing ongoing coaching, performance management, and career development
Act as a functional leader within the legal team, contributing to prioritization, knowledge sharing, and capability building
Mentor junior team members and help elevate overall team performance and consistency
Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Finance, and other corporate functions to proactively identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks
Exercise independent judgment in evaluating complex legal issues and determining appropriate risk tolerance
Support resolution of disputes and escalated matters, engaging senior leadership as appropriate
Ensure adherence to applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies across supported domains