Description:

Counsel, U.S. Operations – Stamford, CT

Be a part of a revolutionary change! 

At Philip Morris International (PMI), we've chosen to do something incredible. We're totally transforming our business and building our future on one clear purpose – to deliver a smoke-free future. 

With huge change, comes huge opportunity. So, if you join us, you'll enjoy the freedom to dream up and deliver better, brighter solutions and the space to move your career forward in endlessly different directions. Our success depends on people who are committed to our purpose and have an appetite for progress.  

Our beautiful HQ in Stamford, CT is just steps away from the Stamford Metro-North Train Station and easily accessible from NYC.

About the role:
PMI's U.S. Legal Department is seeking a highly skilled and motivated attorney to join our team as Counsel, U.S. Operations. The ideal candidate exercises exceptional judgment, is a strong self‑starter, thrives in a dynamic and fast‑paced environment, and brings a solution‑oriented mindset focused on helping the business get to “yes” while protecting the enterprise and following the letter of the law.

In this role, you will provide strategic legal support to business and functional leaders across PMI's U.S. Operations team, manage complex commercial matters, and contribute to operational excellence. This position requires a proactive, business‑savvy attorney who can independently manage responsibilities, communicate with clarity, and build strong cross‑functional relationships.

Your ‘day to day':

Partner with internal clients to develop proactive strategies aimed at avoiding or reducing exposure to legal liability.
Help business teams understand the risks and consequences of proposed actions, communicating alternatives and actionable solutions.
Provide rapid, practical, and business‑focused legal and commercial advice that advances organizational objectives and delivers excellent customer service.
Maintain a culture with a high degree of emphasis on dignity, respect, and inclusion.
Effectively and timely escalate material risks in alignment with company policies and enterprise expectations.
Identify and analyze legal issues, draft and interpret key documents, and deliver clear, actionable recommendations.
Review, draft (from templates or from scratch), negotiate, and close a wide range of commercial agreements, including MSAs, SOWs, licenses, vendor agreements, RFP responses, permit applications, and related documents.
Review and analyze business transactions for compliance with internal policies, SOPs, and applicable laws.
Represent the company's position in negotiations with state and local government agencies on matters within the attorney's scope.
Manage legal risks across the entire contracting lifecycle, including identifying and mitigating risks, driving cross‑functional alignment, and ensuring compliance with relevant procedures.
Support business partners in negotiating pricing, service scopes, deliverables, warranties, and other essential commercial terms.
Provide rapid, practical, solution-oriented legal and commercial advice directly to business clients.
Apply strong commercial judgment and innovative problem‑solving skills to maximize value, mitigate risk, and foster long‑term partnerships.
Collaborate across teams—including Legal, Finance, Procurement, IT, Data Privacy, Commercial, Supply Chain, and various subject‑matter experts—to facilitate informed and effective decision‑making.
Manage assigned projects from initiation to successful completion.
Remain current with legal developments, industry best practices, and benchmarks relevant to PMI's operations.
Assist internal partners in developing and implementing updated policies, procedures, and controls in response to evolving legal obligations.
Identify opportunities to standardize processes, improve operations, and drive continuous improvement.
Manage outside counsel efficiently, ensuring cost‑effective and high‑quality execution.
Help foster an inclusive culture built on dignity, respect, civility, and professionalism.
Communicate confidently and credibly with internal stakeholders at all levels, demonstrating leadership presence and strong interpersonal skills.
Model accountability, responsiveness, and high performance consistent with PMI's standards of excellence.

Who We're Looking for:

Juris Doctor and licensed to practice law in a jurisdiction where PMI operates.
Minimum 7 years of relevant experience with an in‑depth understanding of commercial transactions; both in‑house and major law firm experience strongly preferred.
Proven ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, results‑oriented, and performance‑driven environment with a focus on excellence.
Demonstrated ability to manage substantial workloads, competing priorities, and evolving timelines with precision and efficiency, while keeping client expectations front-of-mind.
Exceptional attention to detail.
Robust interpersonal, networking, public speaking, and writing skills, with the confidence and credibility to act quickly, communicate effectively with diplomacy and civility, and command respect of both internal and external audiences.
Strategic thinker with outstanding judgment and the ability to execute complex projects from start to finish.
Demonstrated success working cross‑functionally in a multi-disciplinary setting.
Ability to work in a hybrid model with 3 required days on-site at PMI's Stamford headquarters.

Annual Base Salary Range: $176,000-$220,000

What we offer:

We offer a competitive base salary, annual bonus (applicable based on level of position), great medical, dental and vision coverage, 401k with a generous company match, incredible wellness benefits, commuter benefits, pet insurance, generous PTO, and much more!
We have implemented Smart Work, a hybrid model of working that promotes flexibility in the workplace.
Seize the freedom to define your future and ours. We'll empower you to take risks, experiment and explore.
Be part of an inclusive, diverse culture where everyone's contribution is respected; Collaborate with some of the world's best people and feel like you belong.
Pursue your ambitions and develop your skills with a global business – our staggering size and scale provides endless opportunities to progress.
Take pride in delivering our promise to society: To improve the lives of millions of smokers.