Vice President, Corporate and Commercial Legal

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company’s innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive and diverse company, Eastman employs approximately 14,000 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2023 revenue of approximately $9.2 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit www.eastman.com.

 

Role

  

Eastman is seeking a Vice President, Corporate and Commercial Legal & Assistant General Counsel to lead its commercial and corporate legal team. Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, the Vice President will play a critical and influential role in delivering the Company’s innovation-driven growth strategy.   

Job Responsibilities

 

• Lead and develop the corporate and commercial legal team. 
• Contribute to cross-functional teams as a strategic, commercially minded and creative problem-solver and partner.
• Partner with business leaders in developing strategic approaches and in structuring and negotiating a wide range of complex commercial arrangements.  
• Develop and enhance scalable contract processes, including best-in-class templates, negotiation playbooks, trainings and policies and drive implementation of legal efficiencies.
• Partner with the business teams to monitor contract performance and manage arising disputes or issues.
• Provide oversight and leadership of corporate matters, including board and shareholder matters, corporate governance policies, securities filings, finance, tax, treasury, M&A, and joint venture matters. 
• Ensure efficient and cost-effective use of external counsel.

Experience and Qualifications

 

• 15+ years of broad legal experience from a combination of both firm and in-house, to include substantial commercial transactional experience, with demonstrated experience navigating innovative legal issues and complex business models in sophisticated corporate settings.
• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school; active member of at least one U.S. State bar in good standing.
• Extensive experience structuring, drafting and negotiating a wide variety of commercial and corporate transactions.
• Specific experience supporting engineering and construction teams and advising on complex capital projects and related procurement
• Robust management experience leading a team of legal professionals required.
• Chemical sector industry experience is preferred.
• Strong business acumen, creativity, and a commitment to accelerating business while mitigating risk. 
• Strong work ethic and ability to manage and progress multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, strong values-based leadership, with the ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Location