SVP, Admin and (General Counsel)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and implement administrative strategies to support organizational goals.
• Provide leadership in shaping administrative policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with senior leadership on organizational strategy and operational efficiency.

• Identify operational areas for improvement, ensuring the organization remains agile and competitive.

General Counsel:

• Provide strategic oversight of company’s legal operations ensuring alignment with business objectives and compliance with regulations.
• Ensure all corporate actives, policies and operations comply with local, state, federal and international laws.

• Provide guidance on matters involving arbitration, mediation, and litigation resulting out of employment disputes.

Contract Negotiation and Management:

• Oversee and provide guidance on contract negotiations with suppliers, distributors, customers, and other third-party vendors, ensuring all agreements protect the           company’s legal interests.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts, including manufacturing agreements, licensing agreements, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), and supply chain agreements.
• Ensure that contract management processes are streamlined, and legal documentation is accurate and legally sound, while meeting the company’s business objectives.

Budget and Financial Management:

• Develop, manage, and oversee administrative budgets, ensuring effective resource allocation.
• Provide regular administrative financial reporting to the CEO and other senior leaders, highlighting opportunities for cost-saving and efficiency improvements.
• Ensure cost-efficiency in operations and manage contracts and negotiations with vendors and suppliers.

Compliance and Risk Management:

• Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements related to administrative functions (e.g., employment law, data security).
• Implement and maintain risk management strategies to minimize organizational exposure to risks related to operations and compliance.

Corporate Governance & Policy Development:

• Lead the development and enforcement of company-wide policies and procedures, ensuring consistency and legal compliance.
• Provide guidance to the executive team on governance and administrative matters.

Performance Management:

• Lead and mentor department heads within the administrative team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and excellence.
• Set clear objectives for the administration department and monitor performance against these goals.
• Implement process improvements to enhance the efficiency of administrative services.

Reporting and Communication:

• Prepare regular reports for executive leadership and the board of directors on administrative functions.
• Communicate administrative policies and procedures across the organization.
• Operate within the core values of respect and care for others.

Skills and Work Experience Requirements:

• Experience as general counsel in a corporate setting a must.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Knowledge of employment law, corporate compliance/risk management and mitigation.
• Strong negotiation and vendor management skills.
• High-level decision-making capabilities.
• 10 years of leadership experience in administration, operations, or related areas. Experience in food and beverage preferred.
• Strong management, organizational, leadership, and communication skills.
• Experience with budgeting, financial management, and strategic planning.
• Proficiency in project management.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Strong leadership and team management experience.
• Japanese business experience a plus

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, management or related field, (master’s degree preferred).
• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active bar membership in good standing.
• Licensed in the State of Illinois