Director, Americas, Commercial

Gates Corporation; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 198,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

401(k) company match

Flexible Time Off

Job summary

Gates Corporation, headquartered in Denver, seeks a senior in‑house counsel to lead high‑value contract negotiations and strategic commercial guidance. You will supervise a team of lawyers, oversee global contracting initiatives, and ensure compliance across manufacturing and distribution operations worldwide.

You must have 13–15 years of experience, Colorado Bar admission, and the ability to advise senior leadership on risk, regulatory, and financial implications in a fast‑paced, multinational

Qualifications

• 13–15 years of experience in large law firms and in-house roles.
• Active state Bar in good standing, preferably Colorado.
• Strong knowledge of international, federal, state contract laws and related processes.
• Ability to brief and advise C‑Suite on complex legal issues with risk analysis.
• Experience with global manufacturing, sales and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead contract negotiation and review of high‑value and high‑risk agreements globally.
• Provide strategic legal counsel on commercial, manufacturing and distribution matters.
• Manage a team of lawyers and contract personnel; oversee processes and training.
• Oversee global contracting programs, policy development and compliance initiatives.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Executive communication

Team leadership

Risk management

Education

Colorado Bar admission

Tools

Contract management databases

Electronic signature platforms

Job description

Are you inspired by challenging the status quo? Do you thrive in collaborative environments that drive results? If so, Gates could be for you.

Gates is a leading manufacturer of application-specific fluid power and power transmission solutions. We push the boundaries of material science to engineer solutions that continually exceed customer expectations.

Let's simplify it, think belts and hoses. Found in motorcycles, conveyor belts, cars, tractors, blenders, vacuum cleaners, bicycles, & 3D printers just to name a few. Because why not do it all?

Position Summary

The ideal candidate is a lawyer who is confident in a "generalist" in-house role. The job duties will include high value or high risk contract negotiation and other transactional documentation drafting and review; management of a team of lawyers and other legal professionals of contracts and agreements entered into by Gates; providing strategic advice on a myriad of commercial issues, including product manufacturing and distribution; international trade related work and policy writing; regulatory assessment on products and manufacturing/shipment of products globally; operations support, financial and securities regulatory compliance, and litigation management and support. The candidate must possess a background of understanding operational, financial and technical matters. The ability to provide timely and responsive legal advice balanced against a thorough risk analysis is required. The candidate must be interested in a large, global practice providing legal oversight and support to Gates' businesses and employees internationally, as well as the legal group as a whole.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Contract Negotiation and Review (40%)

• Provide legal support on contract drafting, review and negotiation of all types, including higher value and higher risk agreements, such as master services agreements, statements of work, product supply agreements, SaaS and technology agreements, master sales agreements, purchase orders, marketing agreements, nondisclosure agreements, and general service contracts in manufacturing and sales
• Effectively work with legal team and internal business personnel to understand customer and vendor business in the different regions globally for successful contract negotiations
• Prepare and deliver country and enterprise-specific training on relevant and topical issues for best practices in risk mitigation
• Apply business strategies and initiatives in agreements of all kinds, including negotiation and application of these initiatives to secure business success and risk mitigation
• Financial acumen and ability to maintain legal function and team within budget while effectively providing superb legal advice to the organization
• Management and working acumen of contract management system, including implementation of processes, training of employees, and use of the system for contract management globally

General Transactional work (40%)

• Provide daily legal counsel concerning transactional, operational, regulatory, risk and general corporate matters
• Support corporate teams on transactional documentation and due diligence related to global operations
• Advise and understand import and export regulations and how Gates' products can effectively move around the globe
• Implement strategic initiatives from the commercial teams through legal processes and documentation
• Advise on legal parameters for commercial strategies, growth plans, and customer needs

Policies and Litigation (10%)

• Advise on diverse regulatory and contractual matters globally, including import/export processes and controls
• Draft, review and update policies and processes, including policies on contract risk, insurance, and compliance with international laws
• Manage product liability, contract disputes, and other types of litigation worldwide; respond to discovery requests
• Implement and manage legal holds for operational business lines

Management (10%)

• Manage a team of lawyers and contract personnel reporting to you, including work allocation, career development, policy compliance, and other general managerial requirements

Requirements and Preferred Skills

• 13-15 years of experience (large law firm and in-house corporation preferred) and in good standing with a state Bar, preferably Colorado
• Experience in and proficient understanding of global manufacturing and sales businesses, and best practices
• Experience in and a working knowledge and understanding of international, federal, state, and local contract laws, as well as related administrative processes
• Strong business acumen, including an understanding of general business financial principles, understanding financial statements and how legal implications affect a business' success and compliance
• Understanding of SEC regulations and a public company's legal requirements
• Proven ability to spot issues, research, investigate, and use independent judgment to solve problems
• Experience working with upper management/C-Suite in a global corporation and ability to communicate complex legal issues in a precise manner
• Proven ability to be flexible and work well independently in a fast paced environment while managing multiple, competing priorities and maintaining a strong focus on detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to communicate well within all levels of the organization and with external clients
• Must possess the self-confidence to make decisions and follow through with peers and management
• Must have the initiative to anticipate needs, identify process improvements and provide solutions
• Ability to investigate and analyze large sets of data and to draw conclusions
• Familiar with contract management databases and electronic signature platforms
• Team player
• Travel: up to 25% (largely NA/SA) - Americas

Pay & Benefits

• Full-Time
• Salary: $198,000 - $220,000
• Bonus Eligible: 20%
• Medical, Dental, Vision insurance and other voluntary benefit options: benefits begin on the first day of the month immediately following your date of hire
• Eligible forFlexible Time Off
• 401(k): 3% company contribution and additional 3% company match
• Tuition Reimbursement

Why Gates?

Founded in 1911 in Denver, Colorado, Gates is publicly traded on the NYSE. While we might operate in a vast amount of time zones we operate as 'One Gates' and have a common goal of pushing the boundaries of materials science. We invest in our people, bringing real-world experience that enables us to solve our customers' diverse challenges of today and anticipate those of tomorrow.

Work Environment

Gates is an Equal Opportunity and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, age, disability, pregnancy, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other consideration defined by law. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands and fingers to work with objects, tools, or controls; and use office equipment including computers, telephones, and/or copiers/scanners. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. For individuals assigned and/or hired to work in Colorado, Gates is required by law to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. This compensation range is specific to the State of Colorado and takes into account various factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to the candidate's relevant experience, qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role.