Head of Legal - North America

Sonaca • Saint Charles, MO

7d

About The Position

The Head of Legal – North America is a member of the Sonaca Group legal team and provides legal advice and guidance to management and Group stakeholders on matters affecting Sonaca North America and its affiliates. The role covers North American operations and the Group’s international environment, working closely with the Group Chief Legal Officer and in accordance with Group policies and standards. The Head of Legal is expected to model company values and act consistently with the Sonaca Group Code of Ethics.

The position handles commercial contracts, disputes and pre-litigation matters, outside counsel oversight, legal budgeting, M&A support, policies, corporate governance, legal research and compliance-related activities. It also serves as the primary legal liaison between Sonaca North America and the Group Legal team, helping promote consistent legal practices across the Group.

The role is based in a typical office environment, with occasional movement through office or manufacturing areas. PPE is required on the shop floor. Travel of up to 10% should be expected, and extended hours, including possible weekends, may be required.

Requirements

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Membership in good standing of the bar in at least one state or the District of Columbia.
• Five to eight years of experience in law firm or in-house practice.
• Experience drafting, negotiating and advising clients on commercial contracts and employment matters, and experience with mergers and acquisitions.
• Knowledge of general corporate law and corporate governance, including in a multi-entity group context.
• Strong commercial law skills, including contract drafting and negotiation and understanding how contracts apply to business practices.
• Ability to analyze complex transactions, including M&A and financing, and propose workable solutions.
• Ability to manage disputes and pre-litigation matters and oversee outside counsel, including scope, fees and budgets.
• Working knowledge of intellectual property, export controls and trade compliance, and anti-corruption requirements.
• Ability to manage a departmental budget, including forecasting, cost control and variance reporting.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, provide practical legal advice and adapt to a changing organizational environment.
• Ability to work effectively in an international, matrixed group environment and understand multi-jurisdictional issues.
• Ability to promote a participative, team-oriented environment and interact professionally and respectfully with internal and external customers, employees, vendors and others.
• Ability to model leadership behaviors and act consistently with the Sonaca Group Code of Ethics.
• Ability to give and receive feedback and demonstrate coaching and consulting skills, including educating management and staff on legal issues.
• Proven ability to facilitate change and drive matters to conclusion.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including effective communication with senior management and Group stakeholders.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to deal with abstract and concrete variables and compile and present data to support information sharing and decision-making.
• Understanding of employment law principles and requirements.
• Ability to work extended hours, including possible weekends, as required.
• Must be able to sit for extended periods at a desk working or attending meetings, with periodic breaks; move throughout office and/or manufacturing areas; and communicate with employees, management, customers, suppliers and others. May occasionally lift or move up to 10 pounds.
• Must wear Personal Protective Equipment when on the shop floor.
• Travel of up to 10% should be expected.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with the aerospace and/or manufacturing industries is highly desired.
• Working knowledge of intellectual property, export controls and trade compliance, and anti-corruption requirements in an aerospace and defense context is ideal.

Responsibilities

• Review, draft and negotiate customer and supplier contracts, leases, services agreements, nondisclosure agreements and intellectual property agreements in accordance with Group policies, templates and guidelines.
• Coordinate with the Group Chief Legal Officer on cross-border and multi-entity matters.
• Provide practical legal guidance to senior management on disputes and pre-litigation inquiries, protect attorney-client privilege and escalate significant matters in accordance with Group reporting processes.
• Manage outside counsel in litigation matters, including scope, staffing, fee arrangements, budgets and spending oversight, in coordination with the Group Chief Legal Officer.
• Prepare, manage and monitor the North American legal budget, including outside counsel fees, litigation and transaction costs, legal technology, subscriptions and memberships.
• Forecast legal spending, report budget variances to senior management and the Group Chief Legal Officer, and identify cost-efficiency opportunities.
• Support M&A activity, including drafting, reviewing and negotiating transaction documents and coordinating due diligence with the Group Chief Legal Officer and Group stakeholders.
• Educate management and staff on legal issues, Group policies and applicable US legal requirements.
• Draft, review and revise company policies and forms to align with Group policies and comply with US federal and state law.
• Assist the Group Chief Legal Officer with corporate governance matters and corporate records for North American entities.
• Research legal issues and special projects as designated, including cross-border and multi-jurisdictional topics.
• Support compliance activities, including internal investigations, export controls and trade compliance, anti-corruption and the Sonaca Group Code of Ethics.
• Serve as the primary legal liaison between Sonaca North America and the Group Legal team, sharing best practices and promoting a consistent legal approach across the Group.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 401(k) retirement savings plan with a percentage company-match contribution
• Competitive wages
• Paid holidays
• Paid time off
• Medical, dental, vision, life and accident insurance
• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• Employee assistance plan providing access to counseling, consulting and other community resources

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree