Assistant General Counsel – Building Construction Products (Lead Counsel)

Career Area:

Legal and Compliance

Job Description:

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other.  We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.

It's More Than a Job, It's a Career

Law, Security & Public Policy (LSPP) has an opening for the Assistant General Counsel – Lead Counsel of Caterpillar’s Building Construction Products Division (BCP).

This Lead Counsel will work with BCP leadership and staff and collaborate with relevant functional and regional legal teams to ensure the provision of responsive and high-quality legal support globally. The Lead Counsel will deliver or coordinate the delivery of legal support for a broad range of issues and business activities. The role provides management, leadership, and legal expertise on significant legal issues, conducting analysis and providing counsel to the business. The position reports to the Deputy General Counsel for Construction Industries.

What You Will Do:

• The lead counsel may handle or coordinate management of legal matters supporting business activities such as distribution, product design, market research, supply procurement, marketing & sales, e-Commerce, general commercial matters, compliance, indirect purchasing, acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, logistics, real estate, antitrust, franchising, warranties, litigation, product regulatory, labor & employment and benefits, environmental, health and safety, trade, customs, export controls, and intellectual property
• The attorney in this position will be accountable to assess legal risk and identify and contribute to resolution of technical legal issues with a broad band of risk exposure with guidance from management. They will be called upon to carefully evaluate unique legal risks and issues and make recommendations to staff and leadership on the best course of action, calling on past examples and inputs from all areas of legal services as required. The position may also be responsible for contributing to analysis and recommendations for the Deputy General Counsel and General Counsel
• The role is also accountable for day-to-day strategic and tactical legal issues. The position will need to lead business peers through influence and lead small teams focused on specific elements of overall legal strategy or process improvement
• This role will include budget, management, and personnel responsibilities (e.g., working with paralegals and other staff). The position also requires demonstrated commitment to advancing Caterpillar and LSPP initiatives

What You Have:

• Risk Management: Knowledge of processes, tools and techniques for assessing and controlling an organization's exposure to risks of various kinds; ability to apply knowledge of risk management appropriately to diverse situations
• Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment
• Negotiating: Knowledge of successful negotiation concepts and techniques; ability to negotiate successfully across the organization and with external vendors and clients in a constructive and collaborative manner
• Business Acumen: Knowledge of the Enterprise strategy and willingness to work at all levels of the BCP organization to support business results
• Organizational Leadership: Knowledge of leadership concepts and ability to use strategies and skills to enlist others in setting, embracing and achieving objectives
• Legal Function: Knowledge of the major responsibilities, accountabilities, and organization of the legal function or department; ability to provide legal consulting, advice and assistance

Degree and Experience Requirements:

• J.D. from an accredited law school with strong academic credentials
• Eligible to practice as in-house counsel in North Carolina
• Must have considerable experience providing counsel for a global business and solid knowledge of Caterpillar's worldwide operations, policies, objectives, and history; 12+ years of progressively responsible job-related experience is typically required
• Must have relevant experience in managemen