Senior Counsel, Director of Compliance

About the role

Our client is seeking an experienced attorney to step into a senior leadership role supporting both legal strategy and enterprise compliance initiatives within a growing manufacturing organization. This position combines sophisticated commercial legal work with oversight of key operational areas, including workplace safety, employee training, and sustainability programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the drafting, review, and negotiation of a broad range of business agreements, including customer contracts, service arrangements, vendor and supply chain documents, transportation terms, technology agreements, financing records, leases, and employment-related documents.
• Advise leaders across the organization on legal matters tied to commercial activity, workforce issues, logistics, privacy, cybersecurity, finance, and strategic business initiatives.
• Act as a key partner to internal stakeholders by translating legal risk into practical recommendations that align with operational and commercial objectives.
• Direct outside counsel engagements, monitor legal spend, and ensure external legal support is used effectively and efficiently.
• Support the business in resolving contract conflicts, handling pre-dispute matters, and helping reduce exposure through proactive legal guidance.
• Contribute to corporate governance activities, including support for leadership and board-related legal matters.
• Oversee company compliance functions related to workplace safety, training, and sustainability, establishing priorities, goals, and budget direction for these areas.
• Work with operational teams to implement regulatory requirements, strengthen incident reporting and corrective action processes, and maintain effective compliance programs across the enterprise.
• Develop performance measures and reporting frameworks that give senior leadership clear visibility into compliance risk, program effectiveness, and sustainability progress.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and an active law license in good standing.
• At least 7 years of relevant experience gained in a law firm, an in-house legal department, or a combination of both.
• Demonstrated success negotiating and managing complex commercial contracts across multiple business functions.
• Strong knowledge of corporate law, governance principles, compliance practices, and procurement-related legal issues.
• Ability to provide clear, business-oriented legal counsel to non-legal stakeholders and senior leaders.
• Excellent communication, judgment, organizational, and project management skills, with the ability to handle competing priorities independently.
• Experience with or strong interest in leading compliance, regulatory, safety, or other operational business functions.
• Background in manufacturing, industrial, distribution, food, agriculture, or similarly regulated environments is preferred.

Benefits

• Health/Dental/Vision Insurance
• PTO