Legal Director, Brands (Hybrid)

Description:

Description:
At WK Kellogg Co, we exist to create joy and connection to inspire Gr-r-reat days. We believe that doing good is always good for business and we have stood for this since Kellogg Company was founded more than 120 years ago. We are passionate about doing our part to make nutritious foods, create social connectivity and respect natural resources. Together, these actions create positive progress for people and the planet – today and for years to come. We have big plans for how we are going to accomplish this, and we would love for you to join us in this effort.

The Legal Director, Brands is Reporting to the Senior Corporate Counsel, serve as a strategic legal expert for the U.S. Brands organization, setting and executing the legal and regulatory strategy that enables compliant innovation, commercialization, and marketing across a portfolio of iconic brands. Provide proactive, risk-based counsel on advertising and promotional review, labeling and claims substantiation (including nutrition/health claims), food law, food safety, data governance, privacy and technology considerations for marketing activities and a broad range of commercial agreements that enable external communications and brand activation. Lead governance processes (including C3 asset review) and influence cross-functional decision-making to accelerate speed-to-market while protecting intellectual property, minimizing regulatory and litigation exposure, and safeguarding the company's reputation. Manage complex matters through partnership with internal stakeholders and oversight of external counsel, including engagement with regulators and industry groups as needed.

Reports to: Senior Corporate Counsel
Supervises: May supervise attorneys, paralegals, and/or legal operations support as assigned; leads cross-functional project teams on brand/commercial initiatives.
Peers: Corporate Counsel, Brands; Legal Directors/Leads (Regulatory, Litigation, Employment, Privacy, IP); Regulatory Affairs leadership; R&D and Nutrition Science leaders; Marketing and Commercial leaders.
Key contacts:

• Internal: Marketing, Innovation/R&D, Regulatory, Quality, Procurement, Corporate Affairs/Communications, Wellbeing, Sales/Revenue Growth Management, HR (privacy/employee data), IT (data/privacy), Finance; external counsel (advertising, regulatory, IP, privacy);
• external agencies and vendors; regulators and industry groups as needed.

Here's What You'll Be Doing

• Set and Execute the U.S. Brands Legal and Regulatory Strategy Aligned to Business Priorities; Identify Emerging Risks/opportunities and Provide Practical, Solutions-Oriented Guidance.
• Serve as The Primary Legal Advisor to Marketing, Innovation/r&d, Regulatory, and Corporate Affairs on Advertising and Promotion, Labeling and Claims (nutrition/health), Food Law, Consumer Protection, and Related Regulatory Compliance Matters.
• Lead Legal Review and Approval for Asset Review Processes for U.S. Brands to Ensure Advertising, Promotional Materials, Packaging, and External Communications Comply with Applicable Law, Internal Policies, and Substantiation Standards.
• Partner with Regulatory Affairs to Ensure Ingredients, Labeling, Nutrient Content Claims, Health Claims, Visuals, and Other Commercialization Efforts Are Compliant and Appropriately Substantiated; Support and Enhance Team Capabilities Through Guidance and Training.
• Track and Analyze New State and Federal Laws and Regulations Pertaining to Our Food and Packaging and Lead Planning for Compliance Workstreams, Including Reformulation, Packaging Updates, Reporting, and Fees.
• Provide End-To-End Legal Support for Innovation and Renovation, Including Ingredient Permissibility, Claim and Substantiation Strategy, Landscape Assessments, and Intellectual Property (including Trademark) Clearance and Risk Mitigation.
• Participate in Incident Management Team as Legal Subject Matter Expert as It Pertains to Food Law, Advertising, and Marketing, Such as Issues Related to Consumer Data, Food Labeling, Manufacturing, and Food Safety Law.
• Advise on Data Privacy and Technology Matters Impacting Brands and Marketing Activities (e.G., Consumer Data, Child Online Privacy Protection, Artificial Intelligence) and Coordinate with Privacy, It, and Hr Stakeholders to Implement Compliant Practices and Risk Controls.
• Draft, Review, and Negotiate a Broad Range of Commercial Agreements Supporting Marketing, Agencies, Influencers/endorsements, Promotions, Sponsorships, Charitable Donations, and External Communications; Manage Contract Execution and Playbooks/templates as Appropriate.
• Manage and Direct External Counsel; Oversee Budgets and Matter Strategy; Ensure High-Quality, Timely Deliverables and Knowledge Transfer to Internal Stakeholders.
• Lead or Support Responses to Inquiries from Fda and Other Regulators, Manage Regulatory Filings and Comments, and Support Document Retention and Other Compliance Processes Requiring U.S. Regulatory Legal Expertise.
• Contribute to Enterprise Legal Prioritization and Continuous Improvement Initiatives, Including Training, Process Enhancements, and Governance that Improve Speed-To-Market While Maintaining Compliance.

Required Education & Experience:

• Education: Juris Doctor (jd) from An Accredited Law School.
• Licensure: Admission to The Bar in Michigan or Ability to Become Admitted to The Bar in Michigan.
• Experience: Minimum of 7 Years of Legal Experience, with Significant Experience Advising on U.S. Commercial/brand Matters, Advertising and Promotion, Food Law and Regulatory Compliance, and Contract Negotiation (in-House And/or Law Firm).

Knowledge/Skills:

• Strong Working Knowledge of The U.S. Legal Frameworks Governing Advertising and Consumer Protection, Fda/usda-Related Food Labeling and Claims (including Nutrition/health Claims), and Claims Substantiation Principles/methodology
• Ability to Translate Legal Requirements Into Practical Business Guidance; Excellent Drafting and Negotiation Skills
• Strong Judgment and Risk-Based Decision Making; Ability to Manage Multiple Priorities in A Fast-Paced Environment
• Proven Ability to Influence and Lead Cross-Functional Stakeholders; Demonstrated Experience Managing External Counsel and Complex Matters

Preferred Education & Experience

• 7+ Years of Relevant Experience
• In-House Experience Supporting Food and Beverage And/or Consumer Packaged Goods Brands (e.G., Partnering with Marketing/innovation/regulatory Teams and Operating Within Stage-Gate Commercialization and Claims Review Processes)

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