Senior Commercial & Corporate Counsel
Covestro, workfromhome, il, United States
POSITION SUMMARY
The Senior Commercial & Corporate Counsel is a sharp, driven senior attorney who operates as a corporate generalist with deep expertise in commercial contracting, litigation and disputes management, corporate governance, and M&A. Commercial contracting is a material and recurring component of this role, requiring a seasoned practitioner who can efficiently draft, negotiate, and manage a wide range of complex agreements.
The ideal candidate also brings demonstrated experience in helping legal departments mature—improving processes, implementing systems, and enhancing operational efficiency. This individual thrives in a fast‑paced environment and collaborates effectively with cross‑functional teams.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts, including complex, high‑value, and strategic agreements that support business operations.
- Serve as a senior escalation point for commercial contracting issues, partnering closely with internal stakeholders to align legal risk with business priorities.
- Develop contracting strategies, negotiation frameworks, and guidance documents to support consistent, scalable commercial practices.
- Manage litigation and disputes, including overseeing outside counsel, developing strategies for resolution, and advising internal teams on risk mitigation.
- Lead or support M&A matters, including due diligence, drafting and negotiation of transaction documents, and post‑closing integration support.
- Provide counsel on corporate governance, entity management, and general corporate operations.
- Partner with internal teams to ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and company policy requirements.
- Champion the adoption of tech‑enabled legal tools, workflows, and processes, partnering with Legal Operations to implement improvements and surface new opportunities to work smarter and faster.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to business leadership, proactively identifying legal, regulatory, and operational risks and opportunities.
- Lead or contribute to cross‑functional strategic initiatives and enterprise‑wide projects.
- Support enterprise risk management efforts, including issue‑spotting, process enhancement, and mitigation planning.
- Ethically utilize AI and legal technology solutions to increase efficiency, accuracy, and visibility.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Experience
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
- Licensed and in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
- 8+ years of legal experience with substantial commercial contracting responsibilities.
- Experience managing litigation and disputes, negotiating complex agreements, and supporting corporate transactions.
- Proven track record contributing to legal department growth, system implementation, or operational improvements.
- Experience working within or alongside regulated industries preferred.
- Demonstrated success collaborating with cross‑functional teams.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong commercial contracting judgment and ability to balance legal and business considerations.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to translate legal concepts into actionable business guidance.
- Highly organized, detail‑oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities.
- Forward‑thinking approach to legal technology, process design, and operational efficiency.
- Strong influencing skills with the ability to collaborate across teams and levels of the organization.
- Practical, business‑focused, and solutions‑oriented mindset.