Head of Legal - North America

Sonaca North America • St. Charles, MO

8d

About The Position

The Head of Legal North America provides legal advice and guidance to management on matters affecting Sonaca North America and its affiliates. The role supports US and Mexico operations, advises on commercial and employment matters, assists with corporate governance and mergers and acquisitions, and supervises and supports compliance activities, including trade compliance. The position also coordinates with outside counsel, auditors, leadership teams, and cross-regional teams across the Sonaca Group. The role is expected to model company values and comply with the Sonaca North America Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.

Requirements

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Membership in good standing in the bar of 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, employment matters, and mergers and acquisitions.
• Knowledge of general corporate law.
• Strong commercial law skills and a thorough understanding of their application to business practices.
• Understanding of employment law principles and requirements.
• Ability to analyze advanced and complex transactions and propose creative, workable solutions.
• Ability to handle competing priorities, provide practical legal advice, and adapt to a changing organizational environment.
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment with multiple priorities and shifting time requirements.
• Ability to promote a participative, team-oriented environment and work professionally and respectfully with internal and external customers, employees, vendors, and others.
• Ability to model desired employee and leadership behaviors and act consistently with the Company Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
• Ability to give and receive feedback, with demonstrated coaching and consulting skills.
• Proven ability to facilitate change and drive matters to conclusion.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, work with abstract and concrete variables, and present data to support information sharing and decision-making.
• Ability to sit for extended periods at a desk or in meetings, with periodic breaks; move through office and manufacturing areas; and communicate with employees, management, customers, suppliers, and others.
• May occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Ability to work extended hours, including possible weekends, as required.
• Ability to travel up to 10% to customers, other Sonaca sites, or special training programs.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in the aerospace and/or manufacturing industries is highly desired.

Responsibilities

• Participate in daily operations meetings regarding US/Mexico operations.
• Oversee and advise on commercial legal matters and processes.
• Review and negotiate customer and supplier contracts, equipment and real estate leases, consulting and professional services agreements, nondisclosure agreements, and software licenses.
• Provide guidance to senior management on customer and supplier contract disputes and other pre-litigation inquiries.
• Assist with management of outside counsel in litigation matters.
• Support M&A activity, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating confidentiality agreements, letters of intent, purchase and sale agreements, and financing agreements, and coordinate due diligence efforts.
• Provide advice on employment-related matters and educate management and staff on legal issues.
• Draft, review, and revise company policies and forms.
• Assist the Global Leadership Team and Executive Leadership Team with corporate governance matters.
• Research legal issues and special projects as needed.
• Supervise and support compliance-related activities, including trade compliance.
• Provide support to outside auditors within the legal scope.
• Participate in cross-regional teams on legal issues affecting the Sonaca Group.
• Help lead and drive resolution of legal disputes and claims.
• Perform other duties as needed.

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