Assistant General Counsel

Today, ITW (NYSE: ITW) is a Fortune 260 company that employs nearly 46,000 people with operations in 51 countries. ITW has become one of the world’s leading diversified manufacturers of specialized industrial equipment, consumables, and related service businesses.

The ITW campus includes a fitness center at no cost to the employees, a subsidized wellness café, outdoor volleyball courts, a walking trail, employee resource groups, corporate discounts, free parking, and much more. We are a one-block walk to the nearest Metra station for the Milwaukee North line, and it is a quick train ride to/from downtown Chicago.

More details on our benefits can be found on our website at https://www.itw.com/careers/benefits-compensation/

Reporting to the Associate General Counsel, this position will serve as a trusted legal advisor and lead commercial attorney to ITW's Specialty Products and Test & Measurements and Electronics segments on a variety of commercial legal matters, with a principal focus on reviewing and negotiating commercial agreements, supporting commercial strategies and developing efficient contract management processes.

The successful candidate will have approximately eight (8) to ten (10) years of legal experience gained in a sophisticated law firm environment or a prominent in-house legal department, with experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex commercial agreements and assisting on other transactional matters. The role presents a great opportunity for an attorney seeking to work on sophisticated legal matters for a global industrial company in a collegial and collaborative environment.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Partner collaboratively with a broad range of stakeholders and develop strong partnerships with operating leaders by providing excellent customer service and facilitating efficient resolution of commercial questions.
• Provide legal counsel to operating leaders that effectively supports commercial operations and growth and profit objectives while mitigating risk.
• Prepare, review, revise and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts and related arrangements, including customer and supplier terms & conditions and supply agreements, distribution and sales representative agreements, leases and non-disclosure agreements.
• Partner with the Commercial Legal Team to review existing contract management processes and develop and implement simplified procedures for the review, negotiation and approval of commercial and related agreements.
• Assist the Associate General Counsel in developing training materials and delivering training to operating leaders on critical contract terms, negotiation strategies and related legal and commercial issues.
• Coordinate seamlessly across all matters to obtain appropriate input from other subject matter experts within the Global Legal Department (i.e., Ethics & Compliance, Litigation, IP, Risk Management, Trade Compliance, etc.).
• Manage outside counsel as needed.
• Provide support on other special projects and conduct relevant legal research as needed.

• JD degree from an ABA-accredited law school and admission to the IL bar required (in-house admitted status permitted).
• Approximately eight (8) to ten (10) years of legal experience.
• Experience in a sophisticated law firm environment or prominent in-house legal department, with experience in drafting, review and negotiation of complex commercial agreements.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving with the ability to think creatively with a sense of urgency.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Self-starter who is collegial, flexible and able to multi-task while working in a fast-paced global team environment, providing timely responses to meet the expectations of ITW businesses.
• Solid interpersonal and collaboration skills; reaches out to team members and cooperates with the team to establish a collaborative working environment within the Commercial Legal Team and Global Legal Department.
• Superior intellect, with the ability to think critically and make clear and well-reasoned decisions; ability to see and handle more than the legal issues of a project; strong, pragmatic business acumen with the ability to recognize the business consequences of legal advice; a strategic thinker who can bring value to his or her clients, anticipate issues and find creative solutions to complex legal problems.
• Continuous learner who enhances ITW’s global structure and broad product portfolio and views strategic change as a positive opportunity.
• Open to coaching and constructive feedback and can adapt and apply lessons learned.
• Available for moderate travel by car or commercial air to U.S. businesses and occasional travel to other businesses, subject to health and safety protocols, as appropriate.

Preferred Skills and Experience: This position requires an accomplished attorney with a strong professional record and a business orientation. Personal and professional ‘fit’ within ITW’s culture is of paramount importance. Candidates must be self-motivated and exhibit a passion for understanding ITW’s business and contributing in a meaningful way to its strategy and long-term strategic goals. In addition to possessing the requisite legal and technical skills, the successful candidate must approach this role from a business perspective and demonstrate a high degree of ethics and integrity, as well as strategic/conceptual thinking capabilities. A low ego/high team mentality is crucial.

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (“ITW” or “the Company”) is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access the online application system process due to your disability, please email corp_accessibility@itw.com to request assistance. No other requests will be acknowledged.

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential.

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.