Senior Corporate Counsel

Make a +Difference at Kraton!

At Kraton, we make a +Difference, and we are looking for individuals who are also looking to make a difference in their jobs, for our customers and to the world.  We are looking to hire a key member of our Legal team at our Global Headquarters in The Woodlands, Texas.

The Senior Corporate Counsel will provide contract-focused legal counsel to senior leadership, partnering with the business to manage risk, support strategic initiatives, and navigate complex legal matters.

We believe in making a +Difference, as a global manufacturer of sustainable specialty polymers and biobased pine chemicals, delivering innovative, high-performance solutions.  

We’re proud to offer benefits that meaningfully support you—at work, at home, and everywhere in between.  Some of the benefits offered are:

• Medical Insurance, including TeleDoc - multiple plans available with Flexible Spending Account & Health Savings Account options
• Dental & Vision Insurance   
• Health Advocate – free support to help you understand your coverage and answer questions 
• Life Insurance – base coverage paid for by Kraton with option for additional coverage 
• 401k – Kraton provides matching contributions based on enrollment level  
• Employee Assistance Program – provided at no cost to employees        
• Accident, Disability, and Critical Illness Insurance 

Key Responsibilities

Manage legal and compliance risks arising from Kraton’s corporate activities and transformation projects by providing practical, business-oriented legal support, including:
•    Advising business stakeholders and shareholder representatives on corporate, employment and benefits, and project-related legal matters
•    Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts and related documentation
•    Management of disputes, claims, and pre-litigation matters in coordination with internal stakeholders, shareholder representatives and external counsel 
•    Assess legal exposure and recommend practical strategies to mitigate risk and resolve disputes efficiently
•    Managing relationships with external counsel, including scope of instruction, cost management, and quality oversight
•    Ensure compliance with applicable laws, internal policies, and global legal standards

This role will be required to show a high level of critical thinking, commercial acumen, and prioritization skill in order to: 
•    Sum up complex issues and provide guidance on decision making, whilst being mindful of the commercial stakes involved
•    Act as a business partner by balancing legal risk with commercial objectives and providing pragmatic, solution-oriented advice
•    Prioritize competing demands from the businesses

This role will interface with various stakeholder across the organization, with the key Interfaces including:
•    Kraton’s General Counsel, Kraton’s leadership located in Houston, and other business stakeholders
•    Assistant General Counsel (Americas) for escalation of commercial matters
•    Senior Legal Counsel (Jacksonville) for coordination on regional matters, procurement and IT
•    Senior Paralegal (Houston) –for matter management, contract administration, and process efficiency

Required Skills

•    Excellent drafting skills and knowledge of relevant laws and regulations
•    Knowledge of employment and benefits laws and regulations (mastery of US laws with broad understanding of EU applications and implications), with the ability to provide practical, risk-based advice on employee relations, compensation, incentive plans, and benefit-related matters
•    Analytical, counselling, communication and interpersonal skills with sound legal, ethical and commercial judgment
•    Proven experience interacting with and leading business and legal professionals
•    Excellent interpersonal and networking skills needed to be effective
•    Good judgement and a strong ability to deal with ambiguity are essential
•    Ability to prioritize competing demands from multiple stakeholders is essential
•    Must possess a strong blend of legal and commercial skills and sound judgement

Education, Certifications & Licenses

•    Legal master/Academic
•    7 – 10 years qualified lawyer
•    Working experience in a large complex organization and/or within a leading law firm
•    Demonstrated familiarity with areas of corporate, contracting (procurement and supply chain is a plus) and regulatory law (such as product liability and general compliance related laws)

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The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification.  Statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required for this position.

Kraton’s internal talent acquisition team manages our recruiting efforts and from time to time works with pre-selected/pre-approved external staffing agencies. We do NOT accept unsolicited resumes or candidate referrals from recruiters and/or agencies who are not pre-selected/pre-approved.

Kraton is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.