Director of Legal Affairs

When you feel connected to your work, you feel more engaged. At Haworth, you can pursue a career that offers you ample opportunity to build your portfolio and expand your skillset in an exciting and inclusive environment. Join a company that values innovation, inspiration, and you

HAWORTH is a global leader in office furniture and architectural interiors. As a valued member of our team, you can make your mark on the world and reach your full potential within a culture of connectivity.

Why Haworth? Find out more here

Here at Haworth, our members enjoy benefits from their first day of employment including: 

• 4 weeks paid time off and an option to purchase an additional week 
• Priority Health Insurance 
• 401k Benefit -  If you contribute 6% of your annual salary, Haworth will contribute up to 7% 
• Annual bonus programs 
• Company provided Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance 
• Tuition Reimbursement program 
• Recently renovated onsite fitness center 
• Onsite recycling 
• Up to 8 hours of paid volunteer time off 
• Zero waste to landfill company  

We are looking for a Director of Legal Affairs & Compliance to lead our Legal team in Holland, MI.   
 

As a Director of Legal Affairs & Compliance, you will:

Directly support and oversee a team of Corporate Counsel to support, the corporate initiatives of and represent the Company for a broad range of corporate, commercial, employment, intellectual property, antitrust, and other legal matters.  Provides guidance to internal members at all levels regarding legal matters, including risk and compliance. Reviews, edits, and drafts documents as required by Company.  Supports both Americas Commercial Interiors business as well as Americas Haworth Lifestyle business.  Works closely with In House Counsel in support of Haworth Lifestyle international businesses.

• Develops and presents strategies to organize and execute the legal service function for the Company. 
• Manages, mentors and develops staff of in house Corporate Counsel and Analysts to ensure well organized processes exist and services are provided in the most efficient, cost effective manner. 
• Identifies bests practices for corporate legal procedures to support overall risk profile of organization and needs of the business.  
• Provides timely communication of identified issues, status updates, and recommendations to CFO and other Executives to ensure they are current on all issues and can provide direction to Company. 
• Drafts, reviews, negotiates, and advises on contracts and agreements to support commercial activities of Company.  Monitors these commercial agreements to ensure compliance with antitrust and consumer law in territories of their application. 
• Researches, develops, and maintains policy and position on legal issues to provide guidance to organization across multiple functional business units for legal and business issues. 
• Ensures/administrates corporate entity compliance and governance to ensure company is up-to-date and in compliance with regulations in United States (US) and abroad. 
• Supports management of outside counsel to ensure efficient and cost-effective utilization. 
• Assists with establishing, disseminating, and training of compliance and policy changes to all levels of organization to ensure all members are trained according to most recent laws. 
• Manages oversight and monitoring of litigation to mitigate risk to company. 
• Provides legal advice and counsel to internal members regarding company issues to ensure legal compliance. 
• Oversees management of intellectual property rights and patents to ensure company’s intellectual property is protected.  Assists product development teams to ensure protection of trade secrets and ownership of IP during development process. 
• Performs other tasks as necessary to support the legal and compliance functions. 

Education 

• Juris Doctorate from accredited law school. 
• Licensed and in good standing to practice law within United States. 

Work Experience 

• Ten years related attorney experience, including in-depth corporate law experience. 
• Seven years related supervisory experience required. 

• Admission to practice law in the state of Michigan is strongly preferred. 
• Ten years related experience working in house.
• Fifteen years related attorney experience, including in-depth corporate law experience preferred. 
• Deep experience and knowledge in areas of Corporate Governance, Product Liability, Antitrust, Employment, Contract, and Litigation laws.
• Prior experience helping to build legal team strategies and legal teams.

• Strong leadership capability. 
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and cases. 
• Ability to identify risk and resolve issues quickly. 
• Professional demeanor with high degree of confidentiality. 
• Exceptional communication and writing skills. 
• Superior negotiation and influencing skills. 
• Ability to work independently and as a member of teams. 
• Ability to travel as and when required by Company, including internationally, up to 35 percent of time. 
• PC and keyboard/mouse skills. 

#LI-JG1