Assistant General Counsel Corporate Responsibility

Job Overview

Reporting to the VP, Global Government Relations, Philanthropy and Corporate Responsibility, the Associate General Counsel, Corporate Responsibility serves as a trusted legal advisor at the intersection of corporate responsibility, sustainability, responsible sourcing, and supply chain matters. This role partners closely with executive leadership and teams across Legal, Regulatory, Sustainability, Government Relations, Supply Chain, Finance, Communications, and Philanthropy to help Hershey navigate a rapidly evolving global regulatory landscape. This is a unique opportunity to help shape Hershey’s corporate responsibility strategy and commitments while balancing legal risk, business objectives, and stakeholder expectations across global operations.

Accountabilities

• Provide strategic legal counsel on sustainability-related regulations, including climate, human rights, responsible sourcing, environmental compliance, packaging, and supply chain due diligence.
• Advise on emerging U.S. and international sustainability and ESG-related regulatory developments impacting Hershey’s business and operations.
• Support ESG reporting and public disclosures, including legal review of sustainability-related claims, communications, and commitments.
• Counsel cross-functional teams on sustainability initiatives, governance processes, risk management, and compliance obligations.
• Advises on responsible sourcing programs, supplier standards, human rights due diligence, and global supply chain transparency requirements.
• Support responses to regulatory inquiries, audits, investigations, and stakeholder matters related to sustainability and ESG topics.
• Draft, review, and negotiate agreements supporting sustainability initiatives, strategic partnerships, philanthropic programs, supplier commitments, and innovative environmental projects.
• Manage external counsel and coordinate legal support across jurisdictions.
• Prepare materials and contribute insights for senior leadership and Board-level discussions.
• Serve as a key legal thought partner in developing company approaches to sustainability challenges and opportunities.

Minimum Education & Requirements

• 10 years of legal experience, preferably combining law firm and in-house experience with a multinational or publicly traded company.
• Demonstrated experience advising sustainability, ESG, environmental, regulatory, or supply chain-related legal matters.
• Experience supporting ESG reporting, public company sustainability disclosures, and risk management processes.
• Proven ability to provide practical, strategic legal advice in complex and evolving sustainability-related regulatory environments.
• Strong contract drafting, negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Experience managing outside counsel and cross-functional projects.
• Able to travel as needed.
• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Active bar membership.
• Experience with US and/or international sustainability regulatory frameworks preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The policy of The Hershey Company is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veterans.