Head of Legal - North America

Sonaca North America is driven by a passion for innovation and a commitment to excellence. As a leading provider of aerospace and defense solutions, we are dedicated to making air and space travel safe and sustainable. We have 10 locations across North America and our engineering expertise and operational excellence set us apart from the competition.

Since the beginning in 1948, we have a proven track record of delivering high-quality products and services that are reliable, safe, and efficient. Our team of experts is dedicated to staying ahead of the curve in the aerospace and defense industry, utilizing the latest technologies and processes to ensure that we deliver the best possible solutions to our customers.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Head of Legal North America will provide legal advice and guidance to management in all aspects of the law affecting the business of the corporation and its affiliates. While performing all duties and responsibilities, the Director of Legal will at all times, model Company values and principles and act in a manner consistent with the Sonaca North America Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participating in daily operations meetings regarding US/MX operations.
• Oversee and advise on commercial legal matters and processes.
• Reviewing and negotiating customer and supplier contracts, equipment and real estate leases, consulting and professional services agreements, nondisclosure agreements and software licenses.
• Providing guidance to senior management on customer/suppler contract disputes and other pre-litigation inquiries.
• Assistance with the management of outside counsel in litigation matters.
• Supporting M&A activity, including drafting, reviewing and negotiating confidentiality agreements, letters of intent, purchase and sale agreements, financing agreements and coordinating due diligence efforts.
• Providing advice on employment related matters; educating management and staff on legal issues.
• Drafting, reviewing and revising company policies and forms.
• Assisting the Global Leadership Team and Executive Leadership Team with corporate governance matters.
• Researching legal issues/special projects as needed.
• Supervise and support compliance related activities, including trade compliance.
• Providing support to outside auditors within the legal scope.
• Participating in cross-regional teams on legal issues impacting the entire Sonaca Group
• Help lead and drive resolution of legal disputes and claims.
• Other duties as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Must be a member of the bar, in good standing, in at least one state or the District of Columbia.
• Five (5) to eight (8) years of experience in law firm or in-house practice.
• Experience in: drafting, negotiating and advising clients on commercial contracts, employment matters; and mergers and acquisitions required.
• Experience in working with aerospace and/or manufacturing industries highly desired.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Knowledge of general corporate law.
• Strong commercial law skills and a thorough understanding of their application to business practices.
• Must demonstrate an understanding of employment law principles and requirements.
• Ability to analyze advanced and complex transactions and propose creative and workable solutions.
• Ability to handle multiple competing priorities, provide practical legal advice, and adapt to a changing organizational environment.
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment with multiple priorities and shifting time requirements.
• Must be able to promote a participative, team-oriented environment, working with customers (both internal and external), all employees, vendors and others in a professional and respectful manner.
• Must model desired employee and leadership behaviors and act in a manner consistent with the Company Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
• Ability to give and receive feedback well, including demonstrated coaching and consulting skills.
• Must possess proven ability to successfully facilitate change and drive matters to conclusion where needed.
• Must demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills.  Must be proficient in MS Office applications.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Ability to compile and present data in a format that facilitates information sharing and decision making.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to sit for extended periods of time at a desk working and/or attending meetings with periodic breaks.  Must be able to move throughout the office and/or manufacturing area and talk, hear or otherwise communicate with employees, management, customers, suppliers and others. May occasionally lift and /or move up to 10 pounds. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Normal work environment is a typical office setting.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate. Required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when on the shop floor.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• The ability to work extended hours, including possible weekends, as required.  Travel should be expected, up to 10%, to customers, other Sonaca sites, or special training programs.

WHY CHOOSE SONACA NORTH AMERICA?

We take care of our people.

• 401(k) retirement savings plan with a percentage company-match contribution
• Competitive wages
• Paid holidays
• Paid time off
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and accident insurance
• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• Employee assistance plan — for access to counseling, consulting, and other community resources
• Subject to eligibility, terms, and conditions

This job description is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties. The responsibilities, tasks, and duties may differ from those outlined in the job description and other duties, as assigned, may be required. This document does not create an employment contract. Employees of the Company are employed on an “at will” basis and may be terminated at any time.

Sonaca North America is an equal employment opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, Sonaca North America provides access and opportunities to those with disabilities. This includes providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans who seek to access the company’s online application system. If an applicant is unable to fully access the online application system, Sonaca North America will provide a reasonable accommodation. Applicants with disabilities may contact us at 636-916-2400 for assistance accessing the on-line application system. Callers should have a detailed description of the requested accommodation, their name and preferred method of contact ready for Sonaca North America‘s Human Resources Department. Sonaca North America will make every effort to respond within two (2) business days. This phone number is not for the general submission of application materials.

Sonaca North America is an E-Verify Employer.

Sonaca North America is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Disability/Veterans Employer

NOTICE ON FRAUDULENT JOB OFFERS

It has been brought to our attention that there have been instances of fraudulent job offers, purporting to be from Sonaca North America and/or its affiliates (“LMI Aerospace”).

This type of fraud is normally carried out through online services such as false websites, or through fake e-mails or call from people claiming to be from the company. These persons offer fraudulent employment opportunities to applicants and often ask for sensitive personal and financial information.  The fraudsters may also request recipients to provide personal information and/or to make payments as part of their fake recruiting process. 

Sonaca North America does not ask for any financial commitments from candidates as a pre-employment requirement and will always require candidates to formally apply for positions via the Careers Page or job postings.

Sonaca North America has no responsibility for fraudulent offers and if you believe you have been a victim of a fraudulent job offer concerning Sonaca North America, please email [email protected].