Assistant General Counsel - United Kingdom (Manchester) - Hybrid

Orbia Advance Corporation is a Purpose-led company with big aspirations. We are out to advance life around the world while maximizing value to our shareholders, customers and employees. The Company is passionate about the topics that define how people will live and thrive tomorrow: the future of cities, buildings, agriculture, and materials. Orbia Advance Corporation has five business groups which offer innovative solutions across multiple industries including building and infrastructure, data communications, chemicals and more. In 2018, Orbia Advance Corporation bought a majority stake in Israeli-based Netafim, the world’s leader in drip irrigation, and is helping the world ‘grow more with less’ as it helps to solve food and water scarcity. Orbia Advance Corporation has operations in 41 countries with more than 22,000 employees.

We started as a producer of commodities and have evolved to become a provider of innovative solutions that address the global issues of rapid urbanization, water and food scarcity, and a growing and aging population. We’re already a global leader in Polymers, Fluor, Building & Infrastructure, Datacom, and Precision Irrigation. We have embarked on a CEO-led transformation, as part of our journey to become a truly purpose-led, future fit company.

UK Assistant General Counsel EMEA

Job Title:           Assistant General Counsel – EMEA

Location:          Manchester area, UK (able to work at offices in Runcorn, UK regularly)

Reporting to:  Vice President & General Counsel, Orbia -- Koura division (based in USA)

Position Summary

The position will be responsible for managing the legal affairs of Orbia’s Koura Business Group operations in the United Kingdom (offices at Thornton Technology Park in Chester), and its business in the UK/EU, Middle East, Africa and India (referred to as EMEA).  You will also support some of the projects led from the Orbia headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, and some matters for an affiliate division in the UK and EMEA regions. 

• This is a hybrid attendance role, which requires office presence in accordance with the Hiring Leader.  This role also requires travel for business as required by commercial and project requirements.
• Responsible for identifying, prioritizing, and managing legal risks and engaging with outside counsel efficiently and effectively. Also responsible for getting the right legal advice to the right businesspeople consistently. 

Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage all legal support for the Koura business operations in the United Kingdom and EMEA/India regions, keeping the Koura General Counsel well informed.  The business has important business in this region, and you will partner with the product strategy/business development and commercial areas to ensure that contracts related to that business are negotiated in a timely manner.
• Work closely with the Koura General Counsel and Koura law department colleagues on important, business-critical projects. 
• Oversee external lawyers (assessment of requirements and ability of external lawyers to provide timely, accurate advice in a pro-active, cost-effective manner) and manage the budget for external engagements.
• Supervise junior attorneys and para-professionals as/when they are added to the legal team.
• Participate in various Orbia Law Department projects and initiatives, as assigned by the Koura General Counsel.
• As requested, provide legal support for Business Groups other than Koura from time-to-time.

Required Experience and Qualities

• • Strong background in corporate and business law, managing international affairs gained at a leading law firm and corporation.  Comfortable working with colleagues and projects in different time zones and jurisdictions.
  • Substantial experience working with commercial contracts of all types to support transactions of significant importance to the company.
  • Excellent contract drafting skills.  An expert grasp of contract concepts, together with a strong ability to apply them practically.
  • Experience with implementation of compliance programs as business counsel, including compliance-related subject matter such as antitrust, anti-corruption and data privacy; development, implementation or monitoring of corporate policies.
  • Experience with mergers and acquisitions is desirable.
  • Superior analytical and organizational skills.
  • A willingness and ability to accept a high level of individual responsibility.
  • The experience and judgment to prioritize projects to meet business objectives and competing deadline requirements.
  • High technology acumen, including experience with contracts databases and electronic storage of pertinent agreement terms and commitments.
  • The ability to communicate concisely and effectively both orally and in writing.
  • The ability to quickly understand business objectives of a transaction, identify important issues, and manage negotiations to achieve the business goals.
  • Good understanding of insurance and risk management concepts.
  • Ability to analyze new law, regulation and contract trends for potential impact on business unit goals and objectives.
  • Commitment to the importance of integrity and compliance.
  • Ability to travel to business locations per business needs (typically about 25%, but sometimes more).

Required Education and Licensure

• • Law degree and admitted to practice in the UK.
  • At least ten years of professional experience in combination of law firm and in-house
  • Experience advising manufacturing clients.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Our Global brands: Dura-Line, Koura Global, Vestolit, Netafim, Alphagary, Wavin.

They offer a broad range of value added solutions and finished products that contribute to customers’ success and ultimate improve the quality of life for people around the world. Along its commitment to good citizenship, Orbia Advance Corporation delivers Total Value to customers, employees and investors worldwide, every day.