Address
Form of workOverview of the Company
United Wheels Inc. (“UWI”) is an international, privately held business, with affiliated companies and operations in Asia, the Americas and around the world. UWI is a world leader in the design, manufacture and international distribution of bicycles, e-bikes, and rideable toys, manufacturing more than 6 million bicycles and e-Bikes each year. In additional to cycling, UWI is at the forefront of materials science though Allite Inc. and its affiliated companies, which utilizes its proprietary magnesium alloys across numerous industries (e.g., sporting goods, robotics, electronics, aerospace, etc.).
UWI owns and operates several bicycle-related subsidiaries. These subsidiaries include:
- Huffy Corp. (https://www.huffybikes.com/), the iconic bicycling company based in Dayton, Ohio, with more than 125+ years of bicycling history.
- Buzz Bicycles (https//.buzzbicycles.com)
- Batch Outdoors Inc. (https://www.batchbicycles.com/)
- Niner Brands International Inc. (https://ninerbikes.com/)
- VAAST Bicycles, (a division of Allite Inc.) (https://www.vaastbikes.com/)
Summary
This position serves as the lead in-house attorney for UWI and its operations in the Americas and internationally: Huffy Corporation, Batch Outdoors Inc., Niner Brands International Inc., and Allite Inc.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide expert and strategic legal advice to UWI’s ownership [Covation Group] and senior management on a wide range of legal matters, including corporate governance, commercial transactions, regulatory compliance, employment law, litigation and intellectual property.
- Work with the COO and Group General Counsel to develop and implement legal strategies that align with UWI and the Covation Group’s business objectives, while protecting UWI and the Covation Group’s interests and reputation.
- Personally handle all major transactional legal matters, (in conjunction with outside counsel, as necessary) including: acquisitions and dispositions; banking agreements; dealer and distribution agreements; in-bound and outbound licensing agreements; inter-company agreements; commercial leases; nondisclosure agreements; employment agreements; insurance-related agreements; consulting agreements; and the like.
- Advise on legal aspects of financing arrangements with lenders, including assessing and advising on current and future loan agreements, business structures and legal entities.
- Provide insight into domestic and foreign tax law and regulations (including transfer pricing) as well as securities and antitrust laws. Also, will assist in the implementation of any IPO of the parent or affiliated group company, debt and equity offerings and mergers and acquisitions.
- Work closely with sales, marketing, and product development teams to acquire, protect and defend company intellectual property assets, including though the utilization of patents, trademarks and trade secrets. Oversee the management of the Covation Group’s intellectual property portfolio, working with external IP counsel and IP agents.
- Supervise and/or manage outside litigation, (excluding non-material product liability), select and direct outside counsel when required, to provide best possible legal service, using a cost-benefit evaluation to resolve litigation.
- Keep senior leadership informed of legal and regulatory developments that may impact the Group’s operations and advising on appropriate responses.
- Work closely with the Product Safety and Compliance teams on all material product liability matters, including litigation or potential litigation, regulatory reporting, and assisting as necessary on all corrective actions. Proactively deal with product liability issues, compliance and/or environmental legal matters, as well as any other disputes.
- Serve as member of the United Wheels Benefits Advisory Committee. Review, as needed, benefit/welfare plans for compliance with law and investment manager contracts and advise such committee, or its designee.
- Prepare and manage the budgets for United Wheels’ and its affiliates’ legal department. Review and approve billing from outside counsel and implement measures to cost effectively manage Legal Department costs.
- Provide advice and develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including the Immigration Act, Workers’ Compensation laws, FLSA, ADA, COBRA, ERISA and other legislative or administrative requirements. Oversee regular training to management and employees on EEOC, FCPA, Antitrust and other relevant laws and regulations.
- Work with senior leadership to promote and encourage a culture of ethical behavior throughout the organization through appropriate policies and training.
- Supervise legal corporate housekeeping of all subsidiaries; assure compliance with requirements of applicable state and foreign laws; and where requested, serve as officer of some or all.
- Other duties compatible with the position that may be assigned by the COO and/or Group General Counsel.
Competencies
- Customer Focus - Aims to satisfy all customers while maintaining effective relationships, both internal and external. Maximizes those relationships to improve personal, department, and organizational performance. Holds co-workers and customers to a similar standard.
- Energy - Have a tremendous amount of energy and passion for our people, products, and brands. Approaches each date willing to take on the day’s challenges. Operating at their individual peak performance without encouragement.
- Energize - Energize teams with enthusiasm and excitement without intimidating them. Projects a positive mental attitude and can-do spirit, that lifts up members of his / her team. Does not get discouraged by set-backs.
- Edge - Have a competitive edge and an overwhelming desire to win. Hates losing and will give 100% commitment to achieving or exceeding their plan. Willing to make difficult decisions, when called upon.
- Execution - Action and performance oriented and are focused on attaining results. A team player who is reliable and follows through on tasks to completion. Attention to details.
- Increases Company Value - Strives to increase sales, reduce costs, improve efficiency, and maximize profits to increase the value of the Company.
- Innovative / Continuous Improvement - Committed to improving processes, products, services, and a willingness to embrace change for the benefit of our team, department, organization, and shareholders.
- Integrity - The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness. Elevating challenges in order to collaborate with co-workers, SLT, ELT, and the Board.
Education and/or Experience
U.S. Juris Doctorate required. Degree with honors and/or law review experience preferred. Continuing Legal Education in selected areas. Minimum of 10 years of combined experience in corporate law departments and regional/national law firms providing service directly to corporate clients. International experience a plus.
This position will ideally be based in Miamisburg, OH, near Dayton. It requires approximately 10% of domestic travel and 10% of international travel. Must be able to obtain a valid passport.
A passion for cycling and the outdoors!
Language Skills
Ability to read, analyze, interpret and draft the most complex documents. Ability to exercise discretion and respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to write well and persuasively. Ability to craft presentations on sensitive and complex topics for presentation to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
Computer Skills
Microsoft Office required.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Law Degree with license to practice.
Physical Demands 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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to walk; sit and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
