Overview
The Division General Counsel will manage all legal matters for Eddie Bauer’s business operations in the U.S. and Canada. Reporting to Eddie Bauer’s Chief Executive Officer, the Division General Counsel is a member of the executive leadership team and will serve as a trusted legal advisor and business partner to the executive leadership team and other senior management. As such, the person in this role must have strong business acumen and experience in a broad corporate generalist role with an emphasis on complex transactions, commercial contracts, employment, marketing, information technology, privacy, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, and dispute resolution. This role also reports to SPARC Group’s Chief Legal Officer, and will work collaboratively with the legal teams representing the other SPARC brands and SPARC’s owners. The Division General Counsel will be expected to work at least three days in person in Eddie Bauer’s Seattle office.
Job Responsibilities
Core Accountabilities:
- Serve as the key legal advisor to Eddie Bauer CEO’s and senior leadership team on all legal, strategic and operational matters for Eddie Bauer.
- Provide sound legal advice on issues affecting Eddie Bauer’s existing and future business opportunities, including the development of legal strategies to support business initiatives and appropriately mitigating exposure to risk.
- Review, draft and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts.
- Counsel and advise on employment and labor laws in the U.S. and Canada, hiring/termination procedures, payroll and benefit programs; update forms and agreements; and respond to government inquiries and complaints.
- Proactively ensure that Eddie Bauer conducts business in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, and in a manner that protects the brand’s reputation with consumers, the general public, as well as government and regulatory agencies.
- Provide guidance and training to internal business partners on contract interpretation, company policies, and negotiating strategies; attend and lead meetings; draft policies and procedures; respond to key communications; advise on issue resolution and dispute management.
- Select and manage outside counsel for commercial and litigation matters, ensuring high quality and cost-effective representation.
- Develop and nurture strong cross-functional partnerships; driving business results and inspiring a culture of transparency, collaboration, and accountability.
- Operate with the highest level of professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality- setting the example for all levels of the company.
- Support business and legal initiatives as may be assigned by Eddie Bauer’s CEO or SPARC’s CLO.
Qualifications
Leadership Expectations:
- Operate with the highest level of conduct, integrity, and confidentiality; setting the example for leaders and associates.
- Develop and nurture strong cross functional partnerships; driving business results and inspiring a culture of transparency, collaboration, and accountability.
- Serve as an Eddie Bauer advocate in the industry and marketplace.
- Recruit, identify, develop, and retain talent that delivers performance excellence.
- As a manager, serve as a leader of company culture, norms, and conduct.
- Ability to balance a strong management presence with a high level of approachability, encouraging and eliciting associate feedback and interaction.
Education/Experience Required:
- Hold undergraduate and J.D. degrees from ABA-accredited institutions. Licensed to practice law in the State of Washington.
- Minimum of 12 years of relevant corporate and commercial experience. In-house experience a must, experience at a retail, fashion or consumer products company preferred.
- Knowledge of a broad range of matters including commercial transactions, information technology, product development, ecommerce, wholesale, marketing, privacy, employment and litigation involving U.S. and Canadian law.
- Experience serving as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and senior business leaders, with a proven ability to guide them through sophisticated legal, business, and regulatory matters.
- Business-minded leader with sound judgment and the ability to provide timely and appropriately risk-balanced advice and guidance, and to deliver flexible and business-oriented solutions.
- Clear communicator, with excellent legal and general writing skills.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills; capable of building and cultivating strong relationships with internal clients and external parties.
- Team player with the ability to work well cross-functionally and in a team environment while empowering business leaders, colleagues and direct reports, and emphasizing accountability.
- An independent thinker who appreciates and offers diversity of opinion.
- Strong organizational and project management skills with attention to detail, the ability to balance competing demands and handle responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
- Self-motivated and results oriented; willing to roll-up sleeves and execute.
- Possesses unquestioned integrity and ethics, a high level of professionalism and ability to maintain confidentiality. Demonstrates a firm commitment to establishing and upholding key company values and culture.
Requirements & EEO Statement
The salary range for this position is $195,000 to $240,000 annually. Pay is based on several factors, including but not limited to position offered and work experience. In addition to your salary, SPARC Group, and its affiliated brands, offers a benefits package, including 401(k) plan, overtime pay, flexible work schedule and a generous employee discount program (all benefits are based on eligibility). Additional information regarding the benefits for this position can be found in the Benefits Guide that is available from our Human Resources Department.
SPARC Group LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We value a culture of inclusion and diversity within our workforce, and are committed to maintaining a workplace free from prohibited employment conduct, including discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, domestic partner status, civil partnership, status as a covered veteran, status in the Uniformed Services of the United States, citizenship and any other characteristic protected by law (“Protected Characteristics”).