Vice President - Legal, Corporate Counsel

SWCA is seeking a highly driven and proactive Vice President - Legal, Corporate Counsel. This is a unique opportunity for a self-directed attorney to lead SWCA's legal function, providing strategic guidance, while ensuring compliance with various regulations, mitigating legal risks, and providing high-level counsel to support both operational and corporate functions of the company.

You'll help define our legal infrastructure while supporting critical areas like contracts, employment, M&A, and labor relations. If you're looking for a place where autonomy is celebrated and your work directly shapes the company's success, read on!

This is a full-time, salaried position with a comprehensive benefits package. The role offers flexibility and can be based anywhere in the Domestic United States as a distributed or hybrid (in-office) position.

Please submit a cover letter and resume to be considered for this position.

Application Deadline: The posting will close on Sunday, June 15th at 5:00 PM PT. Our team will begin reviewing applications promptly after the deadline, and interviews will be scheduled shortly thereafter with qualified candidates.

• Provide strategic leadership and direction on legal matters, setting clear objectives, and fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration.
• Oversee and ensure compliance with corporate governance requirements, including select board material, corporate policies, and regulatory filings applicable to the business.
• Identify and assess legal risks associated with business activities and develop effective risk mitigation strategies.
• Review, draft, and negotiate high-value and complex commercial agreements, including vendor contracts, client agreements, lease agreements, strategic partnerships, and joint ventures.
• Lead efforts to ensure the company's adherence to relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards, providing proactive guidance to mitigate compliance risks.
• Collaborate with the executive team on legal aspects of mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic transactions, including due diligence and integration activities.
• Work closely with leaders throughout Corporate Departments (HR, Technology, Client Services, Finance and Accounting)
• Provide expert advice on employment law matters, including executive contracts, employee relations, and HR policy development.
• Oversee the protection and enforcement of the company's intellectual property rights and the necessary registration of intellectual property.
• Manage and oversee significant legal disputes and litigation, engaging external counsel when necessary.
• Stay up to date with changes in relevant laws and regulations and ensure the organization is informed about potential impacts on the business.

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited U.S. law school.
• Active status to practice law in the U.S.
• Experience working in a corporate legal department or in-house counsel at the senior leadership level.
• Deep knowledge of related laws and regulations relevant to a professional services organization.
• Prior experience effectively and proactively engaging with senior executives, cross-functional departments, and staff.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex legal matters to executives and non-legal stakeholders.
• Strong business acumen and the ability to align legal strategies with overall business objectives.
• Excellent negotiation and conflict resolution skills, with a strategic and solution-oriented approach.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple high-profile projects simultaneously and deliver results within tight timelines.

Preferred Requirements

• Progressive legal experience within the Architecture, Engineering, Construction (AEC), or Environmental Consulting industries.
• Experience in an employee-owned or ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) company.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full spectrum of environmental services. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record's Top 200 Environmental Firms.

If you need assistance accessing SWCA's website, completing the online application, or require accommodations at any point during the hiring process due to a disability, please contact us at accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. We're committed to providing an inclusive and supportive experience for all candidates. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests; other inquiries will not receive a response.

SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees. In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good faith pay ranges on all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

An employee in this Phoenix, AZ office-based position can expect a salary of $190,000-$240,000/year, plus Executive Bonus, Unlimited Vacation and Employee Stock Ownership. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law. Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses. Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCA's Total Rewards package, which includes a competitive Benefits package, forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. At SWCA Environmental Consultants, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including those with diverse experiences and veterans, to apply. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enhances creativity, innovation, and overall organizational success.

SWCA Environmental Consultants continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA's continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.

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