Counsel

POET; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401K with company match

Paid time off

Paid parental leave

Bonuses

Job summary

POET is seeking a seasoned, commercially minded attorney for an on-site role in Sioux Falls, SD. The Counsel will provide reliable legal guidance to Company leaders across a broad range of issues and work independently within a team of attorneys.

Responsibilities include drafting and negotiating complex contracts, developing training materials, ensuring regulatory compliance, supporting HR, and coordinating with outside counsel as needed.

Qualifications

• A law degree from an ABA-accredited law school and admission to the bar in at least one state.
• 10+ years’ experience in law firm and, preferably, in-house environments, with generalist background.
• Must possess commercial mindedness, and ability to understand the business and to act as a member of the commercial team.
• Experience negotiating and drafting a variety of complex commercial contracts, including marketing agreements, distribution and supply agreements and licensing agreements.
• Experience handling documentation of complex legal transactions.
• Experience with labor and employment law preferred.
• Relevant industry experience preferred.
• Excellent writing and negotiating skills.
• Professionalism with the ability to build credibility, trust and respect.
• Ability to juggle and prioritize multiple tasks, to meet deadlines, to balance business and legal issues for the maximum benefit of the Company and to think on your feet.

Responsibilities

• Identifying potential legal issues, and counsel and advise the Company on the appropriate course of action on a wide range of legal matters impacting the Company;
• Responding to issues as they arise in matters affecting the day-to-day business operations;
• Building relationships with business and legal professionals throughout the Company in a professional, collegial and collaborative manner;
• Drafting, reviewing, revising and negotiating contracts and transactions with customers and other third parties;
• Drafting complex legal documents;
• Developing training materials and providing training on relevant topics to colleagues;
• Ensuring the Company’s compliance with legal policies and state and federal laws and regulations;
• Supporting the Company’s human resources function;
• Working closely with and managing outside counsel as needed.

Skills

Commercial mindset

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Legal writing

Complex contracts

Education

ABA-accredited law degree

Job description

ABOUT POET At POET, it is our mission to be good stewards of the Earth by converting renewable resources to energy and other valuable goods as effectively as humanly possible. For over thirty-five years, our drive and passion to change the world has enabled us to become the largest producer and marketer of bioethanol and a leader in sustainable products in the world.

JOB SUMMARY & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Counsel is a seasoned, commercially minded attorney with a generalist background and, preferably, industry experience. The role is responsible for providing reliable, practical legal counsel to Company leaders on a broad range of issues across the business. While you will be joining a team of attorneys at POET, you will need to be a self-starter who can work independently. This is an on-site role located in Sioux Falls, SD.

• Identifying potential legal issues, and counsel and advise the Company on the appropriate course of action on a wide range of legal matters impacting the Company;
• Responding to issues as they arise in matters affecting the day-to-day business operations;
• Building relationships with business and legal professionals throughout the Company in a professional, collegial and collaborative manner;
• Drafting, reviewing, revising and negotiating contracts and transactions with customers and other third parties;
• Drafting complex legal documents;
• Developing training materials and providing training on relevant topics to colleagues;
• Ensuring the Company’s compliance with legal policies and state and federal laws and regulations;
• Supporting the Company’s human resources function;
• Working closely with and managing outside counsel as needed.

Since we’re all about teamwork and getting the job done, your skills may be put to a lot of other uses!

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• A law degree from an ABA-accredited law school and admission to the bar in at least one state.
• 10+ years’ experience in law firm and, preferably, in-house environments, with generalist background;
• Must possess commercial mindedness, and ability to understand the business and to act as a member of the commercial team;
• Experience negotiating and drafting a variety of complex commercial contracts, including marketing agreements, distribution and supply agreements and licensing agreements;
• Experience handling documentation of complex legal transactions;
• Experience with labor and employment law preferred;
• Relevant industry experience preferred;
• Excellent writing and negotiating skills;
• Professionalism with the ability to build credibility, trust and respect;
• Ability to juggle and prioritize multiple tasks, to meet deadlines, to balance business and legal issues for the maximum benefit of the Company and to think on your feet.

A SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE

• Impeccable moral and ethical integrity;
• Self-motivation and ready to “hit the ground running” with a proactive approach and the demonstrated ability to independently see projects through from inception to completion;
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive issues, and to professionally balance urgency and decisiveness with patience and compassion;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to all levels of management, staff, outside counsel and business partners;
• Demonstrated understanding of business;
• Ability to approach obstacles proactively and look for creative solutions to further business needs;
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment with a strong dedication to providing prompt, excellent client service;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment handling multiple simultaneous projects with minimal supervision.
• Analytical ability and strong attention to detail;
• Upholds and furthers POET’s culture and values.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Occasional travel is required, with some overnight stays. This position operates in an office environment working at a personal computer where you may sit or stand.

CULTURE IS KING AT POET

We’re all on the same team. We always communicate. And we park our egos at the door. These aren’t just slogans on our walls. It’s the way we do things at POET. We provide an environment for team members to maintain a healthy work-life balance. It’s the best way to optimize health, wellness, and productivity in a sustainable way. We work hard. We play hard. We have frequent team events, volunteer efforts, and we know how to celebrate wins!

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

At POET, we encourage internal development and growth by allowing team members to carve their own path to success. Leaders support team members with the necessary resources to develop their skills, achieve goals, and create the most value. We believe in developing our team members to their highest potential and recognizing contributions that add value to the organization. Each new team member’s position and compensation are carefully determined by considering their unique qualifications and skillset.

BENEFITS

For eligible team members Comprehensive benefits package: Individual and family plans for health, dental, & vision insurance, including a generous employer Health Savings Account contribution Quarterly Profit-Sharing Bonuses and Bi-Annual Incentive Bonuses Competitive pay, including shift premium pay for qualifying positions 401K with company match Paid time off and paid holidays – 40 hours available on day ONE! Paid Parental Leave

OTHER PERKS

For eligible team members A multifaceted wellness program encompassing the whole person – mentally, physically, and spiritually Onsite fitness centers or fitness reimbursements Safety and cold weather gear reimbursements Discounted home and auto insurance

POET is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to maintaining a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, abilities, merit, and other legitimate business factors, without regard to any legally protected characteristic. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, working conditions, promotion, and termination.

Over the past 30 years of bioprocessing leadership, we've assembled the industry's strongest team of engineers, scientists, financial analysts and more. Along the way, we've carefully selected team members who share our core values and pride in everything we do. That's common sense—and it's led to some of the most creative bioprocessing work in the world. The people of POET make working here a challenging, exhilarating place to advance a career. They accomplish great things for millions of Americans and find great satisfaction in helping our country in so many ways.