Syngenta is a leading agriculture company helping to improve global food security by enabling millions of farmers to make better use of available resources. Through world class science and innovative crop solutions, our 28,000 people in over 90 countries are working to transform how crops are grown.   We are committed to rescuing land from degradation, enhancing biodiversity and revitalizing rural communities.

As Associate General Counsel for our Seeds Division, you will report directly to the Global Legal Head of Seeds and North American Regional Counsel.  This role will have lead responsibility for providing business guidance and managing day-to-day compliance with applicable laws and company policies for the North American Seeds business.  You will partner with the business to provide a wide range of legal guidance and advice to develop and commercialize products for marketing and sale while minimizing risk.  Responsibilities include people management, managing legal issues related to complex commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, supporting marketing and sales, research and licensing, supply chain, and managing claims.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Manage day to day complex legal matters for which considerable legal judgment, experience and independent reasoning is required
• Draft and negotiate complex commercial agreements, and provide legal guidance to the Research and Development, Production and Supply, and Commercial business at Syngenta sites throughout North America.
• Review and advise on a broad range of legal matters which may include, but are not limited to, strategy, research and development, production and supply, marketing, sales, real estate, and applicable regulatory schemes.
• Effectively work with all levels of management to minimize risk by providing high-quality, proactive, objective and commercially-oriented source of legal advice.
• In coordination with other groups within the department, provide legal support to functional groups to ensure compliance with appropriate laws, policies and practices.
• Effectively manage outside counsel in applicable transactions.
• Serve as a member of the North America Legal Department Leadership Team

 

Education & Experience:

• JD degree or Master of Laws & Admission to one or more state bars with the ability to practice in Illinois is required
• 10+ years of experience as a practicing attorney is required
• Extensive commercial legal experience is required
• Significant experience in Agriculture, Seeds, Agribusiness, or Biotech industries is preferred
• Experience working with senior business leaders at a large multinational organization
• 5+ years of experience in the commercial department at a large law firm is preferred
• In-house legal experience is preferred
• Experience dealing with federal and state regulations is preferred

• Broad knowledge of U.S. legal concepts, including complex commercial transactions, licensing, IP and litigation
• Knowledge of applicable regulatory, HSE and basic international laws is beneficial
• In-depth understanding of overall business operations and methods to allow efficient and effective handling of associated risks
• An understanding of business and technology related to agribusiness, including seeds and biotech operations and federal and state regulations is beneficial

Additional Knowledge, Skills, Traits & Abilities:

• Strong leadership, organizational, time management, problem identification/solving, analysis and project skills
• Ability to apply creative thinking, adaptability and flexibility to changing business conditions
• Ability to multi-task and to work independently in a self-directed manner and without supervision
• Evidence of maturity and judgment to help analyze and solve complex legal problems and deal with executive clients; understand and meet clients’ needs and find legally compliant business solutions
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, ability to work well with others both inside the department and outside as well as across geographies

• Results Orientation:  Absolute focus on prioritization and ability to manage multiple competing demands.  Relentless execution.  High expectations for performance and accountability for actions and results.
• Resiliency:  Has a high degree of resiliency, purpose and integrity.  Presents with a persistent and sustained energy. 
• Agility:  Has the ability to balance pragmatism and in-depth analysis on a case by case basis.  Delivers flexible and business – oriented decisions.