Summary
As the General Counsel at Cook & Boardman (C&B), a leading US commercial door hardware and security integration company, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and leading the organization's legal strategy in alignment with our executive leadership team.
You will be responsible for overseeing all legal aspects of the business, including commercial contracts, corporate matters, compliance, litigation, HR, IT, and Finance. Your role involves not only managing the legal department's budget but also planning, developing, and evaluating its overall function, ensuring alignment with C&B's growth opportunities, both organically and through mergers and acquisitions. In this capacity, you will lead the relationship with our Private Equity Partners Legal Team and external legal counsel partners.
You are expected to provide clear, pragmatic legal advice to business stakeholders, supporting the Business Units in their current and new initiatives. This includes identifying relevant legal issues and offering strategic recommendations that are integral to the business's operational strategies. Your leadership will be crucial in translating business plans into effective legal operations, ensuring C&B's market share growth and overall success
Essential Functions
- Collaborate with the executive team to define and implement the corporate legal strategy.
- Oversee the legal department's organization, direction, and performance evaluation.
- Manage financial aspects of the legal department, ensuring effective budgeting and financial planning.
- Handle all significant legal matters, including contracts, risk management, employment law, corporate governance, and compliance.
- Establish and lead a high-performing legal team, recruiting at least 90% A players within six months.
- Other relative duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications
- 8-12 years Post-Qualified Experience (PQE), including both law firm/professional practice.
- Minimum of 2-3 years in-house counsel experience.
- Familiarity with general corporate legal work, including contract drafting and labor/employment matters.
- Knowledge in IP/trademark and compliance (e.g., FCPA, import/export compliance).
- Experience in M&A integration/divestment is advantageous.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Collaborative work ethic, comfortable with all management levels and managing external legal resources.
- Ability to manage legal expenses effectively.
- Strong skills in analyzing and organizing complex legal issues, problem-solving, and decision-making.
- Excellent communication, influencing, and negotiation skills.
- Independent operation with minimal guidance, respecting corporate hierarchy.
- Superior legal drafting skills and meticulous attention to detail
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear and see. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hand to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Frequent lifting required of items 5-25 pounds, and occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Work Environment
This job operates in both a professional office and warehouse environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. May occasionally require driving to project sites. Conditions will include proximity to forklifts or other heavy machinery and using various tools and hardware. Subject to frequent heavy lifting. May be exposed to variable weather conditions, including hot and cold temperatures.
Qualification Requirements
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EOE Minorities/Females/Disability/Veterans; VEVRAA Federal Contractor
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.
