Deputy General Counsel

Central Garden & Pet; Walnut Creek (CA); Hybrid; USD 250,000 - 310,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

401k with company match

Paid parental leave

Education Assistance

Job summary

Central Garden & Pet is seeking a Deputy General Counsel to lead legal strategy and serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership. This role requires managing litigation, providing employment law guidance, and advising on privacy compliance.

The ideal candidate will have over 12 years of experience, including top-tier law firm and in-house roles. The position offers a hybrid work environment and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 12–15+ years of progressively responsible legal experience.
• Significant experience leading complex litigation and dispute resolution strategies.
• Proven experience managing outside counsel.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Company's litigation and dispute resolution strategy.
• Serve as the primary legal advisor to Human Resources and business leaders.
• Provide strategic guidance regarding privacy and compliance.

Skills

Legal expertise

Judgment

Communication

Leadership

Negotiation

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Active membership in good standing with the California Bar

Job description

We are seeking a highly accomplished, business-oriented attorney to serve as Deputy General Counsel and a key leader of our Legal Team. Reporting directly to the Chief Legal Officer, this role will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and play a critical role in shaping the Company's legal, regulatory, and risk management strategy.

The Deputy General Counsel will provide enterprise-wide legal counsel across a broad range of complex matters, including litigation, employment, privacy, regulatory compliance, and strategic business initiatives. This role will partner closely with executive leadership to support growth, safeguard the organization's interests, and ensure legal strategies are aligned with business objectives.

The ideal candidate combines deep legal expertise with exceptional judgment, executive presence, and a practical, solutions-oriented approach to managing risk in a dynamic and evolving business environment. Successful candidates will demonstrate an ability to broaden the scope of their responsibilities, and adjust flexibly to the critical business and legal needs of the company.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the Company's litigation and dispute resolution strategy, overseeing a diverse portfolio of matters including commercial disputes, product liability, intellectual property, employment claims, class actions, and government or regulatory investigations.
• Direct strategic case assessments, risk analyses, settlement evaluations, and overall dispute management.
• Manage and optimize relationships with outside counsel, including budgeting, performance management, and matter oversight.
• Partner with business leaders to proactively identify, mitigate, and resolve disputes before escalation.
• Oversee enterprise eDiscovery programs including litigation holds and data collection.

EMPLOYMENT LAW & WORKFORCE STRATEGY

• Serve as the primary legal advisor to Human Resources and business leaders on employment law, workforce strategy, employee relations, accommodations, compliance, investigations, and risk mitigation.
• Counsel leaders on complex and sensitive employment matters.
• Lead sensitive internal investigations and advise on risk mitigation strategies.
• Lead employment related compliance training and policy development.

PRIVACY, DATA GOVERNANCE & COMPLIANCE

• Provide strategic guidance regarding privacy, data governance, information management, and evolving regulatory requirements.
• Partner with Technology, Information Security, Marketing, Human Resources, and Operations teams to support privacy and compliance programs.
• Advise on data collection, use, sharing, retention, and incident response matters.

LEGAL DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP

• Help establish departmental priorities and drive execution of strategic legal initiatives.
• Partner closely with the Chief Legal Officer to enhance legal operations, improve processes, and develop scalable solutions that support the Company's growth.
• Act as a trusted resource and advisor across the organization, helping business leaders navigate complex legal and regulatory challenges.
• Serve as a delegate for the Chief Legal Officer on designated matters and cross-functional initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and active membership in good standing with the California Bar, or eligibility for Registered In-House Counsel status.
• 12–15+ years of progressively responsible legal experience, including a combination of top-tier law firm and in-house counsel experience.
• Significant experience leading complex litigation, employment counseling, investigations, and dispute resolution strategies.
• Strong background advising senior executives on privacy, compliance, commercial, and corporate legal matters.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively at the executive level and influence business decisions across a matrixed organization.
• Proven experience managing outside counsel and balancing legal risk with commercial objectives.
• Exceptional judgment, leadership skills, and executive presence.
• Outstanding communication, negotiation, and relationship-building capabilities.
• Unwavering integrity, discretion, and commitment to ethical leadership.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Hybrid working environment (currently 3 days in the office, though subject to change)
• Up to 20% travel
• No relocation assistance available

POSITION INFORMATION

• This position pays $250,000-310,000 per year depending on experience

BENEFITS PACKAGE & EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Free Life and Disability Insurance
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401k with 3% company match and annual employer discretionary contribution
• Paid vacation, holidays and sick time
• Employee Assistance Program
• Access to thousands of free online courses
• Discounts on cell phones, movie tickets, gym memberships, and more!
• Education Assistance (both college degrees and professional certifications)
• Referral Program with cash bonus
• Access to on-demand pay
• Paid parental leave

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.