General Counsel & Compliance Director

Graham Manufacturing•City of Batavia, NY

5d•$180,000 - $250,000•Onsite

About The Position

The General Counsel & Compliance Director serves as the company’s legal advisor and compliance leader, reporting directly to the CEO and partnering with the executive leadership team and Board of Directors. This executive-level role is responsible for all legal affairs, regulatory compliance, contract management, employment law matters, and government contracting requirements including ITAR, EAR, and FAR/DFARS. The General Counsel will proactively develop, implement, and continuously improve a comprehensive compliance program, identify and address gaps in the organization’s legal and regulatory framework. This role manages the Legal & Compliance department with direct reports and serves as the primary point of contact for all legal and compliance matters across the organization.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school (required)
Active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar (required)
10+ years of progressive legal experience, with at least 5 years in a senior in-house legal role
Defense expertise with commercial orientation, balancing regulatory rigor with practical business solutions
International exposure: cross-border transactions, foreign subsidiary oversight, international joint ventures, and global regulatory compliance
Public company experience: in-house counsel at a publicly traded company covering SEC reporting, corporate governance, shareholder relations, and SOX
M&A: due diligence, deal structuring, negotiation, integration planning, and post-acquisition compliance harmonization
Industry & private legal: substantive experience in both in-house and law firm environments across advisory, transactional, and litigation functions
Significant experience with government contracting, defense/aerospace industry, or similarly regulated environment
Demonstrated experience with ITAR/EAR export controls, FAR/DFARS compliance, and cybersecurity frameworks
Experience managing legal teams and outside counsel
Must be willing to work extended hours as required to meet legal deadlines, regulatory filings, and urgent business needs
Travel up to 10% of working time, including travel to government agencies, regulatory bodies, outside counsel, and company facilities as needed.
Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school required.
Active membership in good standing with at least one state bar association.
Demonstrated expertise in government contracting law (FAR/DFARS), export control regulations (ITAR/EAR), and corporate compliance frameworks.
Deep knowledge of SEC reporting obligations, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, corporate governance requirements, and other regulatory requirements applicable to publicly traded companies.
Experience with cybersecurity compliance frameworks.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present complex legal concepts to executive leadership, board members, and non-legal stakeholders
Strong leadership and management skills with the ability to build and lead a high-performing legal and compliance team
Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with meticulous attention to detail in contract review and regulatory analysis
Proven ability to manage enterprise-wide compliance programs, policies, and training initiatives.
Ability to analyze complex legal and business problems and develop practical, effective solutions at both strategic and operational levels.
Demonstrated integrity, sound judgment, and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion
Ability to work autonomously as a strategic business partner to the CEO and executive team while fostering a collaborative, compliance-focused culture across the organization
Must be a U.S. Person as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15).
Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a security clearance as required by government contracts.
Must be able to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

LL.M. in Government Procurement Law, National Security Law, or related field (preferred)
Prior General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel experience in a publicly traded defense, aerospace, or technology company
Experience overseeing and enhancing a compliance program from the ground up or significantly restructuring an existing one
Board of Directors presentation experience and corporate secretary experience
Experience with M&A due diligence, integration, and post-acquisition compliance harmonization

Responsibilities

Serve as the principal legal advisor to the CEO, executive leadership team, and Board of Directors on all legal matters.
Provide strategic counsel on corporate governance, M&A transactions, securities law, and risk management.
Oversee contract management process for government contracts, commercial agreements, vendor agreements, NDAs, teaming agreements, subcontracts, and licensing arrangements.
Proactively manage a comprehensive compliance program.
Identify gaps in existing compliance infrastructure, develop corrective action plans, implement monitoring systems, and establish a culture of compliance organization-wide in cooperation with the various Business Units.
Ensure full compliance with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and all applicable export control laws.
Develop and enforce export compliance policies, manage export licenses, and maintain required records.
Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, and related government contracting requirements.
Advise on proposal compliance, contract modifications, claims, disputes, and government audits.
Assist the CIO with the organization’s efforts to achieve and maintain Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) at the required level.
Draft, review, and negotiate employment agreements, severance agreements, non-compete/non-solicitation agreements, and independent contractor agreements.
Advise HR on employee relations, workplace investigations, terminations, ADA/FMLA compliance, and litigation avoidance.
Ensure compliance with SEC regulations, Sarbanes-Oxley Act, stock exchange listing requirements, insider trading policies, and corporate disclosure obligations.
Support SEC filings, proxy statements, and board materials.
Monitors and resolves whistleblower complaints through the Company’s whistleblower hotline.
Manage all litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution matters.
Select and oversee outside counsel, manage legal budgets, and develop litigation strategies aligned with business objectives.
Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and compliance risks across the organization.
Oversee the company’s insurance program and coordinate with brokers on coverage adequacy.
Directly supervises compliance managers and staff within the Legal & Compliance department.
Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies, values, and applicable laws.
Responsibilities include recruiting, hiring, and developing legal and compliance professionals; planning, assigning, and directing work; managing outside counsel relationships and budgets; developing employees’ skills and encouraging professional growth; setting expectations and appraising performance; addressing complaints and resolving problems; establishing positive employee relationships through fair, consistent, and respectful treatment.
Manages relationships with external legal counsel, regulatory agencies, and government bodies.