Senior Counsel

Education - It's in Our DNA

At Barnes & Noble Education (“BNED”) we are dedicated to making tomorrow a better, more inclusive, and smarter world by servicing all who work in education. As a leading solutions provider for the education industry, we are committed to driving affordability, accessibility, and achievement at hundreds of academic institutions nationwide by ensuring millions of students are equipped for success in the classroom and beyond. Together, our teams work to elevate lives through education.

To support our mission, we are seeking a Director, Senior Counsel to provide strategic legal expertise across a wide range of areas, including contracts, corporate governance, SEC compliance, e-commerce, intellectual property, marketing, and litigation management. This role is critical in ensuring regulatory compliance, mitigating risks, and aligning legal strategies with key business objectives. Additional responsibilities include managing annual state compliance processes, supporting board meetings, and ensuring adherence to certifications required for business operations, such as non-collusion certifications for RFP responses.

How You'll Make an Impact

• Advise on SEC compliance and corporate governance, ensuring timely and accurate filings, disclosures, and compliance with public company regulations. Support corporate governance processes, including assisting with board meetings, attending in-person meetings, and drafting board minutes and related materials.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of agreements / contracts, including NDAs, licensing, employment, service, outsourcing, marketing, real estate, intellectual property, consulting, supplier, and subcontractor agreements. Review and draft contract amendments, terminations, and correspondence to meet business needs.
• Assist with the preparation of RFP responses, proposals, bids, and contractual modifications. Manage and ensure compliance with BNC / MBS certifications and non-collusion requirements for RFP responses. Analyze contractual requirements and legal terms to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and corporate policies.
• Provide strategic and legal advice to resolve disputes, customer complaints, and draft cease and desist letters.
• Identify and inform business owners and management of contractual risks in order to help the business mitigate such commercial contractual risks.
• Ensure accessibility compliance in e-commerce, advertising, and other digital platforms. Monitor emerging laws and regulations related to accessibility and advise on potential business impacts.
• Negotiate directly with external parties and prepare updates on contracting status, compliance, and modifications.
• Advise on employment policies, workplace investigations, and compliance matters. Collaborate with HR to update agreements, policies, and employee handbooks.
• Oversee litigation and dispute resolution, working with external counsel as needed.
• Work closely with internal teams including but not limited to operations, sales, marketing, finance, loss prevention, general merchandising teams and HR to ensure legal compliance and mitigate risks.
• Take responsibility for annual state compliance processes for employees at director level and above.
• Conduct risk assessments and provide solutions to minimize legal exposure.
• Stay updated on legal trends, such as SEC requirements, accessibility standards, and intellectual property developments, etc., and advise the business accordingly.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required to support legal and business goals.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Education :

Experience :

Skills & Competencies :

Note : This is a hybrid role requiring in-office attendance three (3) days per week. Applicants should be within a commutable distance to the Basking Ridge, NJ area.

How We Elevate Our Employees

We believe your success is our success, so our benefits package is designed specifically to support you in every aspect of your life. At BNED, we offer a variety of programs and resources to support the physical, mental, and financial well-being of our employees by offering a competitive total rewards package for full-time employees, which includes medical, dental, and vision plans, 401k, life insurance, commuter benefits, paid time off with paid holidays, and a broad range of other benefits.

The hiring range for this position is $160,000-$185,000 and is eligible for bonus and equity.  The actual pay may vary based on factors such as professional experience, skills, and competencies.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

At Barnes & Noble Education we empower everyone. Our mission is to support students, faculty, and schools, serving as a catalyst to meet the evolving needs of the education system and a new generation of students. That starts with fostering an environment for our employees where diversity and individuality is celebrated.

Barnes & Noble Education is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer committed to diversity in the workplace. In the spirit of inclusivity, qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ethnicity, ability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, nationality, protected veteran status, race, religion or sexual orientation.

INDBNED

Salary : $160,000 - $185,000