Sterling Kohler
Assistant General Counsel, IP, Technology, & Data Privacy - (req68169)
Sterling Kohler, Kohler, Wisconsin, United States, 53044
Overview
Assistant General Counsel (AGC) & VP, IP, Technology, & Data Privacy reports to the Chief Legal Officer (CLO). This role sets and executes the enterprise-wide IP strategy across patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and copyrights, while leading the privacy and technology legal portfolio, supporting advertising review and ecommerce, and managing additional law department responsibilities as assigned by the CLO. The role is cross-functional, partnering with global product innovation, engineering, brand, marketing, digital, and IT teams to drive innovation, protect business-critical assets, and manage legal risks in a fast-paced global manufacturing environment. Location:
Hybrid - Kohler, WI
Key Responsibilities
Lead Global IP Strategy and Portfolio Management
Develop and execute a forward-looking, business-aligned global IP strategy to protect the company’s innovations, brands, and technology investments
Oversee global patent and trademark portfolios, including filing, prosecution, enforcement, licensing, and monetization strategies
Serve as a trusted advisor to innovation, engineering, marketing, digital, and IT teams to identify and protect innovations early in the development lifecycle
Identify and mitigate IP risks across the enterprise, including clearance, litigation, competitor activity, and third-party claims
Provide IP and privacy due diligence and integration support for mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships
Lead or supervise IP litigation and enforcement activities globally in collaboration with outside counsel and business stakeholders
Promote a culture of innovation by working with inventors and engineers to foster invention disclosure and protection
Navigate complex international IP, privacy, and regulatory frameworks in a diverse operating environment with manufacturing and commercial operations worldwide
Collaborate with legal, compliance, regulatory, government affairs, and business unit leaders to align IP and privacy strategies with company goals
Privacy and Technology Leadership
Oversee global privacy and data protection programs, including compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and other global data protection regulations
Advise on legal issues related to digital transformation, artificial intelligence, IoT, data security, SaaS/cloud services, and software development
Develop and maintain global privacy policies, training programs, and compliance frameworks
Law Department Management
Assist the CLO with strategic management of the legal department, including budgeting, staffing, and resource allocation
Supervise and mentor a team of attorneys, IP professionals, and support staff, fostering professional development and growth
Develop and implement legal department policies, procedures, and best practices to improve efficiency and service delivery
Manage department budget, external counsel spend, and vendor relationships to ensure cost-effective and high-quality legal services
Assist in leading various leadership workstreams across the function
Skills/Requirements
Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school and current member in good standing of a state bar
Minimum of 10 years of relevant legal experience, with significant in-house experience in a deputy or chief compliance officer leadership role preferred
Proven experience in global IP matters
Strong knowledge of laws and regulations related to intellectual property and privacy
Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels
Experience leading in global manufacturing environments
Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills; crisis management capability
Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
Experience with litigation management and internal investigations is a plus
Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain confidentiality
2-5 years of law department leadership experience
Competencies
Intellectual property expert
Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
High-caliber leader with a track record of developing high-performing teams
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
Integrity and ethical judgment
Strong business acumen and understanding of the industry
Agile communicator across stakeholders and cross-functional teams
Creative thinker with client service orientation
Collaborative style with proven ability to build functions and teams for enterprise protection
Working Requirements
Travel to partner with global teams and business partners to manage relevant critical matters
Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.
We believe in supporting you from day 1 with benefits from day 1. The salary range for this position is $250,050 - $332,050. The offered salary depends on experience, education, and location. This position is eligible for a performance bonus/variable incentive. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision & 401k.
Why Choose Kohler? We empower each associate to BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support health and wellbeing, career growth, and an inclusive culture of innovation. With more than 30,000 leaders globally, we drive meaningful change in helping people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives.
About Us Kohler is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact kohlerjobs@kohler.com.
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Assistant General Counsel (AGC) & VP, IP, Technology, & Data Privacy reports to the Chief Legal Officer (CLO). This role sets and executes the enterprise-wide IP strategy across patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and copyrights, while leading the privacy and technology legal portfolio, supporting advertising review and ecommerce, and managing additional law department responsibilities as assigned by the CLO. The role is cross-functional, partnering with global product innovation, engineering, brand, marketing, digital, and IT teams to drive innovation, protect business-critical assets, and manage legal risks in a fast-paced global manufacturing environment. Location:
Hybrid - Kohler, WI
Key Responsibilities
Lead Global IP Strategy and Portfolio Management
Develop and execute a forward-looking, business-aligned global IP strategy to protect the company’s innovations, brands, and technology investments
Oversee global patent and trademark portfolios, including filing, prosecution, enforcement, licensing, and monetization strategies
Serve as a trusted advisor to innovation, engineering, marketing, digital, and IT teams to identify and protect innovations early in the development lifecycle
Identify and mitigate IP risks across the enterprise, including clearance, litigation, competitor activity, and third-party claims
Provide IP and privacy due diligence and integration support for mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships
Lead or supervise IP litigation and enforcement activities globally in collaboration with outside counsel and business stakeholders
Promote a culture of innovation by working with inventors and engineers to foster invention disclosure and protection
Navigate complex international IP, privacy, and regulatory frameworks in a diverse operating environment with manufacturing and commercial operations worldwide
Collaborate with legal, compliance, regulatory, government affairs, and business unit leaders to align IP and privacy strategies with company goals
Privacy and Technology Leadership
Oversee global privacy and data protection programs, including compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and other global data protection regulations
Advise on legal issues related to digital transformation, artificial intelligence, IoT, data security, SaaS/cloud services, and software development
Develop and maintain global privacy policies, training programs, and compliance frameworks
Law Department Management
Assist the CLO with strategic management of the legal department, including budgeting, staffing, and resource allocation
Supervise and mentor a team of attorneys, IP professionals, and support staff, fostering professional development and growth
Develop and implement legal department policies, procedures, and best practices to improve efficiency and service delivery
Manage department budget, external counsel spend, and vendor relationships to ensure cost-effective and high-quality legal services
Assist in leading various leadership workstreams across the function
Skills/Requirements
Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school and current member in good standing of a state bar
Minimum of 10 years of relevant legal experience, with significant in-house experience in a deputy or chief compliance officer leadership role preferred
Proven experience in global IP matters
Strong knowledge of laws and regulations related to intellectual property and privacy
Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels
Experience leading in global manufacturing environments
Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills; crisis management capability
Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
Experience with litigation management and internal investigations is a plus
Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain confidentiality
2-5 years of law department leadership experience
Competencies
Intellectual property expert
Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
High-caliber leader with a track record of developing high-performing teams
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
Integrity and ethical judgment
Strong business acumen and understanding of the industry
Agile communicator across stakeholders and cross-functional teams
Creative thinker with client service orientation
Collaborative style with proven ability to build functions and teams for enterprise protection
Working Requirements
Travel to partner with global teams and business partners to manage relevant critical matters
Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.
We believe in supporting you from day 1 with benefits from day 1. The salary range for this position is $250,050 - $332,050. The offered salary depends on experience, education, and location. This position is eligible for a performance bonus/variable incentive. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision & 401k.
Why Choose Kohler? We empower each associate to BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support health and wellbeing, career growth, and an inclusive culture of innovation. With more than 30,000 leaders globally, we drive meaningful change in helping people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives.
About Us Kohler is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact kohlerjobs@kohler.com.
#J-18808-Ljbffr