General Counsel AMPA

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The General Counsel (GC) is the senior legal leader responsible for overseeing all legal affairs across the Americas and Pacific region, primarily for HM.CLAUSE, while also providing limited support to other Limagrain business units and corporate functions. Reporting directly to the CEO, the GC serves as a strategic legal and business advisor to executives and management, leveraging deep knowledge of the business to guide decision-making, mitigate risk, and develop alternative solutions aligned with corporate objectives.

POSITION DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

The General Counsel (GC) is the senior legal leader for the Americas and Pacific region, serving as both the principal legal advisor and head of the legal function. Reporting to the CEO, the GC provides strategic, risk-informed guidance to leadership, oversees legal operations and compliance, ensures high-quality and cost-effective legal support, and leads on critical matters such as contracts, litigation, regulatory compliance, and high-risk business initiatives. As a trusted business partner embedded in leadership teams, the GC drives alignment with corporate strategy, supports M&A activity, manages external counsel, resolves complex legal issues, and develops a high-performing legal team while fostering strong cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the principal legal advisor to the CEO, executives, and management, providing strategic, risk-informed counsel across the business
• Lead and oversee the corporate-wide legal function, including strategic planning, budgeting, and resource management
• Ensure delivery of high-quality, timely, and cost-effective legal services across the organization
• Establish, implement, and monitor policies and frameworks to ensure enterprise-wide legal and regulatory compliance
• Act as a trusted business partner by embedding within leadership teams to influence decision-making and align legal strategy with business objectives
• Advises on high-impact matters, including corporate strategy, new ventures, and enterprise-level risk assessment
• Review, negotiate, and advise on contracts and legal obligations, clearly communicating associated risks and implications
• Lead litigation strategy, assess claims, and manage disputes, including settlement decisions and coordination with stakeholders
• Select, engage, and manage outside counsel relationships, including oversight of performance and cost control
• Support mergers and acquisitions activities, including due diligence and pre- and post-transaction integration
• Serve as Corporate Secretary, maintaining corporate records, ensuring governance compliance, and supporting board and shareholder processes
• Oversee and manage business insurance programs in alignment with global frameworks
• Develop, implement, and administer corporate policies (e.g., conflict of interest, code of ethics, gifts policies)
• Ensure directors and officers are informed of and compliant with applicable laws and governance requirements
• Provide guidance on legislation, regulatory developments, and government relations
• Lead, develop, and mentor the legal team, supporting career growth and performance excellence
• Foster strong cross-functional collaboration and gather feedback to continuously improve legal service delivery
• Cookordination and implementation of global legal and compliance initiatives across regions and business units
• Support other Group Limagrain business units within the region and contribute to cross-functional committees, projects, and strategic initiatives

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor Degree and a member in good standing of the State Bar of California, and/or any other US State or territory, and eligible and able to be a registered in-house counsel in California
• Minimum 10 years of progressive relevant experience as a corporate lawyer/in-house counsel and/or in a law firm
• Outstanding written and verbal English proficiency
• Spanish and/or French language proficiency a plus