Associate General Counsel

Associate General Counsel
Employee Status: Regular
Schedule: Fulltime
Location: Hybrid in Westfield Center, OH, or open to remote if outside of the Northeast, OH area.

You're ready to make your mark where people care about each other. Where your work is meaningful. And where your unique perspectives are welcome. Think about joining Westfield, a company focused on what's most important - the people behind our policies.  

Westfield was founded in 1848 by a small group of hard-working farmers who believed in the promise of the future and the power of the individual. Today, as one of the nation's leading property and casualty (P&C) companies, we remain true to their vision and are dedicated to making a positive difference in our customers' lives.

Responsibilities:     

The selected candidate will have primary focus in Contracts, including:

• Review, redline and negotiate, a broad range of third party (vendor) contracts (for example, purchasing/supply contracts; professional services agreements; software (SaaS), licensing arrangement, leases, real estate related, etc.) for all areas of company via the Procurement process

• Serve as primary contract review resource for most vendor agreements

• Coordinate with Procurement, and outside counsel as necessary, to finalize legal terms and conditions within Westfield's risk appetite and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations

• Participate in negotiations (i.e. calls, meetings) as necessary with Procurement, business leadership and vendor resources to finalize terms and conditions

• Update Westfield's form agreements (MSA, PSA, Software Agreement, etc) on a regular cadence to be current with market terms

The selected candidate also:

• Serves as legal counsel for corporate matters and department areas.

• Provides strategic legal advice on a broad range of legal subject areas which may specifically include responsibility for one or more areas of legal specialization within the company. Seeks guidance of the Managing General Counsel only in the most complex situations.

• Works closely with, and provides support to, senior management and employees at all levels of the company on legal issues, risks, processes, policies, and procedures.

• Solves complex problems; takes a broad perspective to identify solutions.

• Leverages experience to interpret internal and/or external business issues and recommends solutions/best practices.

• Conducts oneself in an appropriate manner as a representative of the company, working in a diverse work environment.

• Drafts, negotiates, analyzes, and reviews a broad range of commercial documents and corporate agreements, legal memoranda, letters, and other legal documents upon request.

• Works closely with other members of the Corporate Legal team and outside counsel on assigned projects as appropriate.

• Promotes, monitors, and reports upon compliance with company-wide policies and procedures and takes immediate corrective action as required.

• Proactively recognizes and reports on trends and problem areas; recommends courses of action to promote efficiency and cost-effective solutions.

• Inputs own calendar and projects into computerized matter and contract management databases. Prepares reports regarding project status, progress, and costs as requested. Maintains and organizes own files.

• Keeps informed of insurance-specific regulations that impact the company and ensures that appropriate risk management strategies are in place.

• Serves as a subject matter expert in own area within the organization.

• May perform talent management responsibilities including employee selection, performance management, coaching, and development. Manages priorities and workload distribution, and removes barriers that impede progress. Completes all personnel, salary administration, and reporting duties.

• Travels occasionally in order to participate in special assignments, training, and/or travel between office locations.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor Degree or equivalent from an accredited U.S. law school and qualified to practice law in the state of Ohio, or eligible to seek admission to Ohio.

• 8+ years of legal experience with knowledge and experience in the corporate legal discipline working with situations of all levels of complexity.

• Experience utilizing strong business acumen in making recommendations and decisions.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to be diplomatic, resulting in the ability to interact with all levels of management and employee population.

• Excellent analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent organizational skills and a customer focus commitment.

• Experience working effectively as a team member and to develop relationships with a wide variety of audiences and customers.

• Experience establishing and meeting deadlines, works well under pressure, and handles multiple priorities.

• Ability to maintain a high degree of credibility, independence, integrity, confidentiality, and trust.

• Proven ability to be results-oriented.

• Experience using Microsoft Windows; Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook; Lotus Notes;and accessing Internet for legal research.

• Valid driver's license and a driving record that conforms to company standards.

Physical Requirements (specific to the role)

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Ability to work effectively in an office environment for 40+ hours per week (including sitting, standing, and working on a computer for extended periods of time).

• Ability to communicate effectively in a collaborative work environment utilizing various technologies such as: telephone, computer, web, voice, teleconferencing, e-mail, etc.

• Ability to travel as required.

Westfield offers a Total Rewards program that focuses on compensation, benefits and wellness, and includes perks like 401(k), pension plan, annual incentive, education reimbursement, flex-time, onsite fitness center and casual dress. Work/life balance, recognition, and learning and career development are all part of a rewarding career with Westfield.

Westfield cares about relationships. We pay attention to the details and embrace what each employee brings to the mix. If you are talented in your profession but also care about people - whether you're just starting out or have decades of experience - we want to talk with you. Learn more about current opportunities at www.westfieldinsurance.com/careers.

We are an equal opportunity employer/minority/female/disability/protected veteran.

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