Senior Counsel

Johnsonville Location: Global HeadquartersMembers of Johnsonville’s legal team provide counsel, service and leadership that touches on a wide range of subjects including contracts, employment, litigation, regulatory matters and governance matters. In each case, you must relentlessly drive our business needs and seek to create a competitive advantage, usually in ambiguous circumstances. Members of the team also possess a keen business mind and an immense amount of curiosity for Johnsonville’s business drivers, as well as a love for elevating legal skills throughout the organization.Position OverviewThe Senior Counsel will play a key part in supporting our growing global Legal team. This role will offer broad exposure to legal operations across Johnsonville’s presence in the Western Hemisphere and will serve as a key legal role supporting the business in this geography.This is a generalist role and will involve a wide portfolio of legal matters as noted below. We won’t require deep expertise in every area, but we will require a drive to learn and gain expertise over time at our company. Specifically, this role will handle contracts, employment, employee benefits, litigation, regulatory matters, and governance matters (among others). In each case, the Senior Counsel must relentlessly drive Johnsonville’s business needs and seek to create a competitive advantage, usually in ambiguous circumstances. The successful candidate will possess a keen business mind and an immense amount of curiosity for Johnsonville’s business drivers as well as a love for elevating legal skills throughout the organization.ResponsibilitiesPartner with members (including senior management) of the U.S. Johnsonville business units and shared services; partner with International Business Unit to provide support for operations in Canada, Mexico, and South America/CaribbeanDraft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts and NDAs in the following areas: vendor, customer, IT (including master services agreements, software licensing agreements, and SaaS agreements), employment, engineering, leases, real estate, transportation, logistics, insurance, tax, and financeAssist with litigation and pre-litigation matters, including matters relating to contract disputes, transportation, intellectual property, product liability, and employment; respond to subpoenasManage trademark and patent portfolios with the assistance of outside counselAdvise Member Services (HR) team on HR matters, including matters related to employee benefits and employment lawsSupport strategic activities such as mergers and acquisitions, licensing, joint venture and co-packer agreementsHandle regulatory and compliance matters, including domestic and international human safety and food safety food regulationsSupport Compliance team in implementing effective compliance policies and practicesAdvance the legal department’s mission through training, coaching and mentoringReport directly to the Associate General CounselExemplify the Johnsonville Way in all communications and interactionsEducationJuris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited institution, requiredExperienceAt least 7+ years of experience practicing law at a law firm and/or in-house, requiredStrongly preferred to have a combination of law firm and in-house experienceExperience providing superlative counsel, advice, and training to management and their related functions, requiredSkillsExceptional written and verbal communication skillsDemonstrated high integrity, sound judgment, and the ability to manage confidential information with careThe ability to work independently in a fast paced, high-volume environment, and handle both small and large matters with equal effectiveness and enthusiasmStrong business judgment and the ability to understand and respond to business issues and needsAbility to encourage risk-taking at the company’s level of risk toleranceResults-driven, with the ability to inspire others deliver highest impact on customer successProven track record for leading and influencing peopleThe ability to “issue spot” and exercise sound judgment across multiple areas of the lawEffective leadership styleA coachable attitude; able and willing to receive and provide constructive feedbackCuriosity and a love for lifelong learningOther RequirementsA member in good standing with the Wisconsin bar (or acceptable equivalent)Travel: Not a ton, less than 10% of your time domesticallyBenefits and CompensationMembers have potential for a monthly bonus and 401k with a company match. Members also have access to terrific benefits including affordable medical, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; disability and life insurance; and fertility and adoption assistance. Johnsonville also offers competitive paid time off, including paid parental time off, as well as access to the 24/7 onsite fitness center, and onsite medical clinic! Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.Applicants must be eligible to work in the country where this job is located, without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.About our CompanySince 1945, our family-owned band of sausage-makers has invented better ways to make, eat and prepare crave-able sausage. Today, we are 4,000+ Members strong. We sell our famous sausage in all 50 United States and more than 40 countries. We have a culture built on the idea that if we make developing your talents our top priority, great business results will follow naturally. We call it The Johnsonville Way. It has been our secret sauce for decades, and we hope you get to experience it for yourself!Johnsonville is an equal opportunity employer, including Vet/Disability. We embrace the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and do not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including protected veteran and disability status.