General Counsel

Confidential; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential, a New York-based beauty and cosmetics company backed by a global private equity partner, seeks a General Counsel to lead North America from the New York office. This is a hands‑on role with ownership of the legal function and close collaboration with the leadership team.

You will build scalable legal processes, manage outside counsel, and advise on commercial contracts, regulatory compliance (FDA/MoCRA), advertising claims, IP, and employment matters in a fast‑moving transformation.

Qualifications

• JD from a well-regarded law school; NY bar admission or waiver eligibility
• 7–12 years of legal experience, including at least 3 years in-house
• Experience in beauty, cosmetics, consumer products or related consumer-facing industry
• Strong background in commercial contracts, plus exposure to regulatory, advertising, IP and employment matters
• Track record of steady tenure and progression with your employers
• Sound business judgment and the ability to give clear, practical advice to senior leaders
• Comfortable working independently and building processes in a fast-moving, changing environment
• Experience in a private equity–backed or transforming business is a plus

Responsibilities

• Lead all legal matters for the North American business and serve as the primary legal advisor to the leadership team
• Draft, negotiate and manage commercial agreements, including supplier, distribution, licensing, marketing and technology contracts
• Oversee regulatory compliance for cosmetics and personal care products, including FDA and MoCRA requirements
• Review advertising, product claims, packaging and promotional materials, and manage FTC and NAD matters
• Protect and manage the company's trademark and IP portfolio in partnership with global legal and outside counsel
• Advise on employment matters and partner with HR on policies, investigations and workforce decisions
• Manage litigation, disputes and outside counsel relationships, keeping legal spend under control
• Support corporate governance, entity management and transactions, including integration work with the private equity owners
• Build scalable legal processes, templates and training that help the business move quickly while managing risk

Skills

In-house experience

Leadership

Contract negotiation

Regulatory compliance

IP & trademarks

Business judgment

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

New York Bar admission or eligibility

Job description

We are a well-known, New York–based company in the beauty and cosmetics industry, offering skincare, makeup, fragrance and personal care products. Backed by a global private equity firm, the business is entering an exciting new chapter of growth and transformation.

The role

The General Counsel is the top legal seat in North America, based in our New York office. You'll partner closely with the leadership team and our private equity owners on legal strategy, risk and governance.

This is a hands‑on role with real ownership. You'll build the legal function from the ground up, manage outside counsel, and act as a trusted business advisor across the company.

Key responsibilities

• Lead all legal matters for the North American business and serve as the primary legal advisor to the leadership team
• Draft, negotiate and manage commercial agreements, including supplier, distribution, licensing, marketing and technology contracts
• Oversee regulatory compliance for cosmetics and personal care products, including FDA and MoCRA requirements
• Review advertising, product claims, packaging and promotional materials, and manage FTC and NAD matters
• Protect and manage the company's trademark and IP portfolio in partnership with global legal and outside counsel
• Advise on employment matters and partner with HR on policies, investigations and workforce decisions
• Manage litigation, disputes and outside counsel relationships, keeping legal spend under control
• Support corporate governance, entity management and transactions, including integration work with the private equity owners
• Build scalable legal processes, templates and training that help the business move quickly while managing risk

Qualifications

• JD from a well-regarded law school, and admission to the New York bar (or eligibility to waive in)
• 7–12 years of legal experience, including at least 3 years in‑house
• Experience in beauty, cosmetics, consumer products or a related consumer‑facing industry
• Strong background in commercial contracts, plus exposure to regulatory, advertising, IP and employment matters
• Track record of steady tenure and progression with your employers
• Sound business judgment and the ability to give clear, practical advice to senior leaders
• Comfortable working independently and building processes in a fast‑moving, changing environment
• Experience in a private equity–backed or transforming business is a plus