Senior Corporate Counsel

About the role

At Kraton, we make a +Difference, and we are looking for individuals who are also looking to make a difference in their jobs, for our customers and to the world. We are looking to hire a key member of our Legal team at our Global Headquarters in The Woodlands, Texas. The Senior Corporate Counsel will provide contract-focused legal counsel to senior leadership, partnering with the business to manage risk, support strategic initiatives, and navigate complex legal matters.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance, including TeleDoc – multiple plans available with Flexible Spending Account & Health Savings Account options
• Dental & Vision Insurance
• Health Advocate – free support to help you understand your coverage and answer questions
• Life Insurance – base coverage paid for by Kraton with option for additional coverage
• 401k – Kraton provides matching contributions based on enrollment level
• Employee Assistance Program – provided at no cost to employees
• Accident, Disability, and Critical Illness Insurance

Responsibilities

• Manage legal and compliance risks arising from Kraton's corporate activities and transformation projects by providing practical, business-oriented legal support, including:
  • Advising business stakeholders and shareholder representatives on corporate, employment and benefits, and project-related legal matters
  • Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts and related documentation
  • Management of disputes, claims, and pre-litigation matters in coordination with internal stakeholders, shareholder representatives and external counsel
  • Assess legal exposure and recommend practical strategies to mitigate risk and resolve disputes efficiently
  • Managing relationships with external counsel, including scope of instruction, cost management, and quality oversight
  • Ensure compliance with applicable laws, internal policies, and global legal standards

Key Interfaces

• Kraton's General Counsel
• Kraton's leadership located in Houston
• Other business stakeholders
• Assistant General Counsel (Americas) for escalation of commercial matters
• Senior Legal Counsel (Jacksonville) for coordination on regional matters, procurement and IT
• Senior Paralegal (Houston) for matter management, contract administration, and process efficiency

Requirements

• Sum up complex issues and provide guidance on decision making, whilst being mindful of the commercial stakes involved
• Act as a business partner by balancing legal risk with commercial objectives and providing pragmatic, solution-oriented advice
• Prioritize competing demands from the businesses

Required Skills

• Excellent drafting skills and knowledge of relevant laws and regulations
• Knowledge of employment and benefits laws and regulations (mastery of US laws with broad understanding of EU applications and implications), with the ability to provide practical, risk-based advice on employee relations, compensation, incentive plans, and benefit-related matters
• Analytical, counselling, communication and interpersonal skills with sound legal, ethical and commercial judgment
• Proven experience interacting with and leading business and legal professionals
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills needed to be effective
• Good judgement and a strong ability to deal with ambiguity are essential
• Ability to prioritize competing demands from multiple stakeholders is essential
• Must possess a strong blend of legal and commercial skills and sound judgement

Education, Certifications & Licenses

• Legal master/Academic
• 7 – 10 years qualified lawyer
• Working experience in a large complex organization and/or within a leading law firm
• Demonstrated familiarity with areas of corporate, contracting (procurement and supply chain is a plus) and regulatory law (such as product liability and general compliance related laws)