Senior Counsel, Real Estate and Construction

About the role

Eaton is seeking an experienced Senior Counsel, Real Estate and Construction to join our legal team. Reporting to the Vice President and Chief Counsel, EHS/Security & Sustainability, the Senior Counsel will provide legal support for high-profile and innovative growth projects, including major real estate and construction developments that have a significant impact on Eaton and the communities within which we operate. This role will manage the high volume and complexity of transactions across Eaton’s real estate portfolio, helping to mitigate legal and regulatory risk while supporting operational efficiency and strategic growth initiatives.

The position is ideal for a candidate with a collaborative mindset and the skills to lead a wide range of real estate transactions and associated negotiations, while engaging with cross-functional teams including operations, finance, government relations, tax, EHS/sustainability, and business stakeholders. Preferred location is Beachwood, Ohio at Eaton's US HQ, though remote work with travel will also be considered.

Responsibilities

• Lead a specialized practice area within the Law Department and provide legal counsel to Eaton’s businesses.
• Provide legal support to enable Eaton's real estate/manufacturing footprint capacity growth initiative on a global basis.
• Manage the high volume and complexity of transactions across Eaton’s real estate portfolio, working closely with the Company’s real estate function on both leased and owned facilities.
• Collaborate with organizational leaders to enable growth, compliance, mitigate risk, and support business objectives while protecting the interests of Eaton.
• Support new, cutting-edge facilities that help shape the future of global power management and serve the world's most pressing energy needs.
• Lead the legal/real estate analysis for business capacity needs, including site options/strategies, associated diligence, contracting efforts, and negotiations to meet Company growth objectives while identifying and mitigating legal and commercial risks.
• Provide pragmatic guidance across a variety of transaction types, including leases, sales/acquisitions, sale leasebacks (and other financing vehicles), construction projects (from facility expansion to new greenfield development), and associated issues including government incentives support.
• Collaborate with internal organizations including Real Estate, Tax, Government Relations, Finance, EHS/Sustainability, Supply Chain, Insurance, and specialty practice areas within the Law team (e.g., Business Counsel, EHS).
• Support associated real estate and/or construction dispute management and resolution.
• Demonstrate leadership behaviors that create trust, influence outcomes, and elevate others regardless of role.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school and an active license to practice law in the United States.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience as an actively licensed attorney.
• Proven track record of at least 10 years negotiating real estate and construction transactions efficiently and effectively while navigating various commercial and legal risk areas across a variety of markets/industries.
• Capability for tailoring legal advice and solutions to the unique growth needs across Eaton's various business segments.
• Strong problem-solving capabilities with the ability to visualize and communicate solutions.
• Detail-oriented, with excellent organizational skills and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Skills

• Excellent spoken and written communication skills, with the ability to adapt messaging for internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to build relationships at all levels of the organization and across stakeholders with different interests and perspectives.
• Collaborative team player who works beyond boundaries to advance the success of the group or enterprise.
• Leads with courage, emotional intelligence, and accountability.
• Stays curious to understand customer needs, challenges, and experiences, using those insights to guide decisions.
• Delivers clear, practical, and business-focused recommendations.

Additional Information

Supervisor: Vice President/Chief Counsel EHS/Security & Sustainability, Lisa Sutton.

Scope of responsibilities: Global, with a North American focus.

Pay

The expected annual salary range for this role is $182,000 - $266,000 a year. This role is also eligible for a variable incentive program.

Benefits

Eaton provides various Health and Welfare benefits as well as Retirement benefits, and several programs that provide for paid and unpaid time away from work. Specific programs and options available to an employee may depend on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements. Eaton Benefits Overview.