Assistant General Counsel-MGS (IL,NJ,UK)

Job description

A mutually rewarding experience.

Work. Realize your ambitions. And realize there's more to being in business than just making a profit. That's the Mars philosophy. And the opportunity we offer every one of our Associates. An opportunity to take what you do and make it mean more for you, for those around you and for the planet. What you get here is challenging, interesting work. You get the tools you need to do a great job and you get to have the best possible people on your side to help you do it. And at the same time as getting to find ways to do business better today than we did it yesterday and driving a great career, you also get to build a more enlightened business and drive sustainability.

Because it's never just about a single person, a single project or a single brand. It's about how you can grab everything that's within your reach here and use it to pursue mutual, long-term gain. It's about having ideas. And ideals. Being prepared to risk failure because the promise of success means we'll all be a little better off. It's that mix of integrity and ambition that makes Mars such a special place to work. And why working here is always about more than just a job.

About Mars, Incorporated

Mars is a family-owned business with more than a century of history making diverse products and offering services for people and the pets people love. With almost $35 billion in sales, the company is a global business that produces some of the world's best-loved brands: M&M's®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5™, SKITTLES®, UNCLE BEN'S®, MARS DRINKS and COCOAVIA®. Mars also provides veterinary health services that include BANFIELD® Pet Hospitals, Blue Pearl®, VCA® and Pet Partners™. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire its more than 100,000 Associates to create value for all its partners and deliver growth they are proud of every day.

Title: Assistant General Counsel - Mars Global Services

Reports to: President - Mars Global Services

Location: Preference in IL (Chicago) or NJ (Newark or Mt. Olive), potentially UK

Job Purpose/Overview

The Assistant General Counsel (AGC) is responsible for partnering with Mars Global Services in achieving business objectives and providing strategic and timely legal advice to relevant Leadership and Management Teams. The AGC maintains a deep knowledge of the MGS business and the functions/service units in which MGS operates, most importantly Digital Technology. They will identify any legal and regulatory issues, provide legal advice and decision support to help achieve business objectives while mitigating legal risks and ensuring compliance with Mars’ 5 Principles.

The AGC must have a broad business orientation and have the ability to manage the timely and effective resolution of all legal issues, including operational as well as strategic aspects. In addition to the prioritization and management of the various legal issues, the role requires a keen eye on the development of legislation and regulations concerning Digital Technology and related fields across the globe.

The AGC is himself/herself expected to perform a significant amount of work currently outsourced to external counsel and to recommend changes to the current Legal Department setup intended to improve business connectivity, quality of advice and efficiency benefiting Mars Global Services.

Key Responsibilities

Identify and prioritize the key legal issues for the business and be willing to make and defend judgments on those issues.

Supervise the work of existing advisers, and engage new legal capability as needed, to ensure a rapid and cost-effective resolution of key issues; ensure availability, continuity, consistency and quality of competent, timely and cost-effective legal services; development of legal services plans and budgets annually; choosing and managing a network of outside counsel where necessary;

Participate as a member of the MGS management team, providing multi-functional leadership and critical thinking to all business matters, not limited to legal issues, including policy formulation, achievement of the segments overarching strategies, and allocation of resources. Understand the key business issues that drive the legal issues.

Championing governance around indirect and IT-related procurement;

Actively supervising the development and dissemination of compliance policies that will ensure that MGS is in compliance with all local laws, rules and regulations that may apply to the company’s activities globally;

Participating in strategic assessments of MGS’ legal risk, liaising with compliance, audit, and operational risk oversight, as appropriate.

Powerfully influence the development of the policy, regulatory and legal environment in areas where Mars Global Services interests are likely to be affected. Collaborate with other functions such as Digital Technology, S&F, P&O, Commercial and R&D. to ensure alignment and efficiency

Context and Scope

Responsible for the legal function within Mars Global Services

This role must liaise with other legal teams globally to ensure consistency of support of legal advice within MGS and with other segments and functions

Relevant Quantitative and Budget Information

Financial

N/A

Staff

Direct Reports:

One counsel

Indirect Reports:

Management of outsourced vendors providing services including external counsel

Other

Key interaction with:

MGS Leadership Team

Legal counterparts across Mars

External Vendors including outside counsel

Job Specifications/Qualifications

1. Education & Professional Qualification

US Juris Doctorate or equivalent law degree from accredited law school and license to practice in the country of residence. US Bar admission.

Qualified to practice law in US or Europe

2. Knowledge/Experience

Expert in Commercial and contract law; data privacy and security; technology transactions; competent in labor and employment law

Excellent Business Acumen

At least 8 -10 years of experience required. Ideally transaction focused experience in a law firm as well as several years in the legal department of a company.

Significant experience in negotiating and documenting IT-related commercial and procurement transactions

Experienced in management of labor and employment issues a plus.

Experienced in operating across multiple jurisdictions.

The ability to quickly build an internal global network and establish the trust and confidence of senior management and business leaders around the world;

Strong leadership capability and desire to organize, and effectively and efficiently manage, a network of outside legal resources

Able to travel ~25%

Domestic relocation benefits available

Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.

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