Assistant General Counsel- Institutional - ECOLAB

As Assistant General Counsel, Institutional, and a key member of Ecolab’s Commercial Law department located in St. Paul, MN (with hybrid remote option available), you will be a key contact for commercial law matters for Ecolab’s global Institutional business, including drafting and negotiating customer and distributor contracts, answering legal questions, providing training, and other assigned matters. In this role, you will also advise on commercial, regulatory, and compliance matters affecting the sale of the company’s products and services, as well as collaborate on contract negotiations with our regional attorneys globally. You will serve as a key strategic business partner to the businesses by providing clear, actionable legal advice and practical business-focused solutions enabling achievement of their objectives while appropriately managing risk and protecting Ecolab’s integrity and reputation.

We are looking for an experienced attorney with a solid background in commercial transactions and providing general legal advice to business partners, including sales, marketing, and regulatory. Ecolab is a global leader in water, hygiene, and infection prevention products and services that protect people and vital resources and our Institutional division supports many of the world’s largest foodservice and lodging brands with cleaning and disinfection products and services. 

Location: St. Paul, MN - preferred, Naperville, IL

What You Will Do:

• Provide sound, practical judgment in the interpretation and application of relevant laws including, contract and antitrust laws and FAR clauses.  
• Demonstrate knowledge of general commercial law and applicability of FAR clauses and contract flow-down requirements.
• Represent the business unit’s best interests in its relationships with customers, vendors, and other business partners.
• Consult with and seek guidance from senior attorneys and subject matter experts when appropriate.
• Work under the general supervision of the Sector General Counsel and exercise sound judgment as to matters that require attention of business, legal, and compliance senior leadership.
• Draft, review and negotiate commercial agreements for the Institutional Division.
• Ensure timely and comprehensive contract administration.
• Manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment with a “roll up your sleeves” attitude and team-oriented mentality.
• Assure that contractual obligations are appropriate and achievable, and risks are minimized.
• Identify opportunities and implement template and contract process improvements and efficiencies.
• Advise the business unit leadership, sales and functional associates on legal and commercial matters. 
• Assist with development of training materials for sales, marketing and other business unit associates; conduct training on negotiation and contracting best practices, commercial concepts, and compliance matters.
• Review marketing and other sales materials for legal compliance.
• Assist senior attorneys with other assigned matters, including M&A due diligence and customer claims.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to paralegals on the team.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Law degree from an accredited U.S. law school and admission to the Bar
• 5+ years minimum experience in, or advising, a global business and 8+ years legal experience overall

Preferred Qualifications:

• 10+ years legal experience overall
• 3+ years of in-house legal experience and well-developed understanding of how businesses operate.
• Ability to diagnose commercial and legal problems and present positive, creative solutions and alternatives.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills; possesses an effective negotiation style.
• Ability to work independently, appropriately prioritize workload, meet deadlines, and follow through on matters handled.
• Experience in, or advising, businesses manufacturing regulated products.
• General understanding of a P&L and how businesses make money.
• Management and supervisory experience.
• Strong relationship management skills.
• Experience working in a matrix organization.

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Ecolab strives to provide comprehensive and market-competitive benefits to meet the needs of our associates and their families. Click here to see our benefits. 

If you are viewing this posting on a site other than our Ecolab Career website, view our benefits at jobs.ecolab.com/working-here. 

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
At Ecolab, we believe the best teams are diverse and inclusive, and we are on a journey to create a workplace where every associate can grow and achieve their best. We are committed to fair and equal treatment of associates and applicants. We recruit, hire, promote, transfer and provide opportunities for advancement on the basis of individual qualifications and job performance. In all matters affecting employment, compensation, benefits, working conditions, and opportunities for advancement, we will not discriminate against any associate or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expressions, genetic information, marital status, age, disability, or status as a covered veteran.

In addition, we are committed to furthering the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) through Affirmative Action (AA). Our goal is to fully utilize minority, female, disabled and covered veteran individuals at all levels of the workforce. Ecolab is a place where you can grow your career, own your future and impact what matters.

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.