The Head of Legal & GR in Bridgestone , leading a team of one junior counsel and one senior counsel will be responsible for the day-to-day legal and compliance support of the CEO of our Russia and CIS operations (both legal entities) and his leadership team as it is going through a significant transformation phase.
Key support areas include the structuring of commercial transactions and drafting and negotiating of contracts with key Bridgestone dealers, in both wholesale and retail market segments and located across the export markets. In addition s/he will also provide the legal and regulatory support to Bridgestone’s manufacturing operation in Ulyanovsk, Russia.
S/He will identify the need for, and where appropriate develop, legal and compliance policies, procedures and processes, and ensure the consistent application of these throughout the business operations. The Head of Legal & GR is also responsible for advising the business in regards to compliance & business ethics as well as corporate formalities and Intellectual Property law related issues. Additionally, the Head of Legal & GR coordinates litigation handled by external law firms.
In her/his capacity of Head of Governmental Relations, s/he will monitor and, where appropriate, influence government policies and decision making with a view to protecting Bridgestone’s interests in Russia and the CIS, building relationships with government bodies and their staff
The Head of Legal & GR reports directly to the BSEMEA General Counsel and dotted line to the Russia/CIS Regional Managing Director. The role will be based in our Moscow regional headquarters. S/He will work closely with all 20+ lawyers in the BSEMEA Legal, Compliance and IP team and serve as a catalyst for the exchange of best practices within the team.
Key responsibilities/essential functions include:
· Acting as a business partner by applying combined business and legal judgment to proposed deals, relationships and other issues requiring legal or compliance attention.
· Work with the business team as a business partner to (i) identify opportunities to drive the business forward, e.g., working with the business in structuring strategic transactions; and (ii) develop legal processes and templates for current and new business and commercial models and raising business awareness of the same.
· Drafting, reviewing and supporting negotiation of business agreements and transactions such as (but not limited to) customer sales contracts, strategic alliance agreements with retail partners, public tenders, franchise agreements and distribution agreements.
· Advising the business on all legal matters (except for tax, standard credit collection and day-to-day labor and employment law) and drive solutions.
· Providing hands on legal advice on regulatory, privacy, antitrust and advertising/promotional matters — in conjunction with the regulatory experts in the BSEMEA legal team and the Chief Compliance Officer.
· Due Diligence and Know Your Customer procedures
· Leading dispute resolution and litigation.
· Managing outside counsel, when brought in to assist.
· Coordinating the restructuring of our legal entity structure and set up in the region.
· Driving legal and compliance projects to improve efficiency and business responsibility, including using influencing skills to achieve buy-in from all levels of the business.
· Working with key stakeholders to evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls, policies and procedures
· Designing a plan for the consolidation of the two legal teams in the manufacturing and sales organizations, identifying opportunities for improved efficiencies and more adequate support and rolling out the initiatives and projects to realize such opportunities.
· Managing and developing the legal team mates in CIS, including objectives, coaching and career development, performance management, compensation etc.
· In collaboration with the BSEMEA CCO, developing, implementing and managing a comprehensive compliance program for BSCIS/BMCIS; compliance program must be aligned with BSEMEA’s approach, incorporate Bridgestone’s global compliance initiatives and the external CIS environment’s requirements;
· Driving training and awareness around compliance in the BSCIS/BMCIS organisation
· Working with Procurement to review and assess procurement policies and procedures, the contract process, including development of standard purchase agreements for goods and services; reviewing and assessing the approach to the selection of suppliers, with specific emphasis on conducting due diligence on suppliers and advice and train stakeholders regarding same supplier rationalization.
· Serving as a First Point of Contact for an EMEA-wide function or business unit; driving that function’s/business unit’s strategic legal and compliance agenda across the BSEMEA legal community, ensuring consistency in the legal support across BSEMEA to that function/business unit
· Taking on a champion role for a select legal area of expertise: develop the BSEMEA’s legal team’s understanding of that functional area, driving structural improvements in how the BSEMEA legal team structures its support in that/those field(s) and ensuring the team remains up to date on regulatory developments in the field
· Driving end-to-end management of Legal, Compliance and GR issues to avoid risks associated with policy making in Russia and in CIS countries
· Overseeing the interactions with government bodies, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and laws
· Pro-actively monitoring government policies and decisions, which may pertain to Company operations;
· Facilitating governmental approvals, certification, and registration for concerned departments to ensure the smooth, uninterrupted and effective operations of Bridgestone in Russia and CIS
· Maintaining and promoting effective relationships with the government bodies and their staff; and
· Pursuing complex issues with the government of RF, such as police matters, new legislation, compliance, special investigations.
Required Qualifications:
1. JD (or equivalent law degree) from a reputable university.
2. 10+ years of business law experience, preferably in a combination of no less than three years of experience in a reputable law firm and a couple of years of working in an in-house legal department of a multi-national corporation.
3. Previous experience in identifying and resolving legal issues quickly and effectively and ability to make on the spot risk calls.
4. Previous experience prioritizing conflicting demands from multiple business clients in a fast paced environment.
5. Experience managing other attorneys, outside counsel and budgets; ability to work as part of a regional team as well as part or a multi-billion-dollar global enterprise
6. Prior government relations experience in a multinational company
7. As a member of the Russia & CIS senior management team(s), demonstrated leadership skills and executive presence of a professional who can comfortably engage the executive leadership teams, its Boards, shareholders and other department leaders;
8. Have an investigative focus and the confidence to navigate complex situations, address difficult matters, communicate clearly and pursue difficult issues with resourcefulness, optimism and clarity
9. Have a strong drive to help set the tone for corporate compliance and demonstrate a solid knowledge of all principal components of a global compliance program, including anti-bribery and corruption, competition law, data privacy and international trade compliance and support the business in complying with Environment, Health & Safety requirements
10. As a strategic partner to the business, have experience as lead counsel in drafting and negotiating a variety of significant and complex transactions
11. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
12. Good commercial awareness and a pragmatic, solutions-oriented, point of view.
Strong values in line with Bridgestone’s behavioral expectations (= Involvement, Commitment, Ownership, Teamwork, & Flexibility )
High level of business and personal ethics.
Preferred Qualifications:
1. Experience in an industrial/manufacturing setting is desired
2. Compliance and business ethics leadership
3. Knowledge of the automotive industry is a strong plus
4. Good knowledge of MS Office Tools.
Внимание! Для отклика на вакансию нужен VPN
