Job Description

Assistant General Counsel, IP, Technology, & Data Privacy

Work Mode: Onsite

Location: Onsite - Kohler, WI

Opportunity

The Assistant General Counsel (AGC) & VP, IP, Technology, and Privacy is a key member of the legal and compliance leadership team, reporting directly to the Chief Legal Officer (CLO). This role is responsible for setting and executing the enterprise-wide IP strategy across patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and copyrights, while also leading the company’s privacy and technology legal portfolio, supporting advertising review and ecommerce, as well as additional law department management responsibilities as assigned by the CLO. The role is highly cross-functional, partnering closely with global product innovation, engineering, brand, marketing, digital, and IT teams to drive innovation, protect business-critical assets, and manage legal risks in a fast-paced global manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead Global IP Strategy and Portfolio Management
• Develop and execute a forward-looking, business-aligned global IP strategy to protect the company’s innovations, brands, and technology investments
• Oversee global patent and trademark portfolios, including filing, prosecution, enforcement, licensing, and monetization strategies.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to innovation, engineering, marketing, digital, and IT teams to identify and protect innovations early in the development lifecycle.
• Identify and mitigate IP risks across the enterprise, including clearance, litigation, competitor activity, and third-party claims.
• Provide IP and privacy due diligence and integration support for mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships.
• Lead or supervise IP litigation and enforcement activities globally in collaboration with outside counsel and business stakeholders.
• Promote a culture of innovation across the enterprise by working with inventors and engineers to foster invention disclosure and protection.
• Navigate complex international IP, privacy, and regulatory frameworks in a diverse operating environment with manufacturing and commercial operations worldwide.
• Collaborate with legal, compliance, regulatory, government affairs, and business unit leaders to align IP and privacy strategies with company goals.

Privacy and Technology Leadership:

• Oversee global privacy and data protection programs, including compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and other global data protection regulations.
• Advise on legal issues related to digital transformation, artificial intelligence, IoT, data security, SaaS/cloud services, and software development.
• Develop and maintain global privacy policies, training programs, and compliance frameworks.

Law Department Management

• Assist the CLO with the strategic management of the legal department, including budgeting, staffing, and resource allocation.
• Supervise and mentor a team of attorneys, IP professionals, and support staff, fostering professional development and growth.
• Develop and implement legal department policies, procedures, and best practices to improve efficiency and service delivery.
• Manage department budget, external counsel spend, and vendor relationships to ensure cost-effective and high-quality legal services.
• Assist in leading various leadership workstreams across the function.

Skills/Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school and current member in good standing of a state bar.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant legal experience, with significant in-house experience in a deputy or chief compliance officer leadership role preferred.
• Proven experience in global IP matters.
• Strong knowledge of laws and regulations related to intellectual property and privacy.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• The role demands a professional with a proven track record in leadership, management, and a deep understanding of global manufacturing and related
• environments. The ideal candidate will have experience in a wide range of legal and regulatory issues.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills are essential, as is the ability to work in a fast-paced, rapidly evolving environment. Crisis management skills are also essential.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Experience with litigation management and internal investigations is a plus.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain the highest standards of confidentiality.
• At least 2-5 years of law department leadership experience.

Competencies:

• Intellectual property expert.
• Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• High caliber leader with history of developing high performing teams in high change environments.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• High level of integrity and ethical judgment.
• Strong business acumen and understanding of the organization’s industry and operations.
• Extremely agile, with ability to communicate with many stakeholders and cross functional teams to drive organizational improvement.
• Creative thinker with client service orientation.
• Collaborative style with proven track record of building functions and teams for overall enterprise and risk benefit.

Working Requirements:

• Travel to partner with global team and business partners, and to manage relevant critical matters required.

CUSTOM.PAY.TRANSPARENCY

Why Choose Kohler?

We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation. With more than 30,000 bold leaders across the globe, we’re driving meaningful change in our mission to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives.



About Us
It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact kohlerjobs@kohler.com . Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

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