Associate General Counsel

Summary

The Associate General Counsel (Director level) is a key member of the legal leadership team and is responsible for overseeing a wide array of complex legal matters and providing strategic advice across the organization. This role reports to the General Counsel and plays a pivotal part in driving the company’s business objectives while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and compliance.

The Associate General Counsel will help lead and manage critical legal functions, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A), contract drafting and negotiation, intellectual property direction and management, and regulatory compliance engagements. The position also includes supervisory responsibilities for Legal professional staff, working closely with the General Counsel to foster a collaborative and high-performance Legal work environment.

 

WHY Jewelers Mutual 

Since 1913 we’ve been committed to supporting the Jewelry industry and putting customers at the center of everything we do. With over a century of trusted expertise, we’re financially strong, forward-thinking, and driven by curiosity. Guided by our core values of Agility, Accountability, and Relevancy, we lead through innovation.

As a technology focused organization, we embrace cutting-edge tools and data-driven insights to continuously improve our products, services, and customer experience. Our mission is to be the industry’s most trusted advisor by investing in our people, adopting new technologies, and striving for excellence.

We’re dedicated to fostering growth through collaboration, powered by bold thinking, teamwork, and the passion of our people.

What You’ll Do

Mergers & Acquisitions

• Lead and manage the legal aspects of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and other strategic business transactions, managing any outside counsel as appropriate.
• Conduct and/or oversee legal due diligence, identify and mitigate risks, and collaborate with cross-functional teams including finance, compliance, and business partners.
• Draft, review, and negotiate transaction documents, such as purchase agreements, confidentiality agreements, and transition service agreements.
• Advise leadership on deal structure, transaction timing, and integration considerations.
• Support post-closing integration, resolve legal issues arising from transactions, and ensure all contractual obligations are fulfilled.

 

Contract Drafting and Negotiation

• Draft and oversee the drafting, review, and negotiation of a wide variety of contracts, including distribution arrangements, vendor contracts, technology licenses, and reinsurance or other service agreements.
• Ensure the legal department develops and maintains contract templates, playbooks, and standard operating procedures to streamline the contracting process.
• Advise internal stakeholders on contractual rights, obligations, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Ensure contracts comply with applicable laws, regulations, and company policies.
• Manage and resolve contractual disputes in collaboration with other departments and external counsel as necessary.
• Primary Legal interface with Strategic Sourcing and Resilience (SSR), ensuring optimal Legal working relationship with SSR, which leads company procurement efforts.

 

Intellectual Property

• Develop and implement strategies for the protection and enforcement of the company’s intellectual property portfolio, including trademarks, copyrights, patents, and trade secrets.
• Oversee the registration, maintenance, and defense of intellectual property assets both domestically and internationally, and lead enforcement actions as necessary.
• Advise on intellectual property aspects of business transactions, product launches, and marketing campaigns.
• Educate internal teams on IP best practices and compliance.

 

Regulatory Compliance

• Review and interpret applicable federal, state, and international insurance and financial services regulations, ensuring the company operates in full compliance.
• Advise executive leadership and business units on regulatory issues impacting company operations, products, and services.
• Oversee the preparation and submission of regulatory filings, disclosures, and responses to governmental inquiries or investigations.
• Collaborate with compliance and risk management functions to proactively identify and address emerging regulatory risks and develop appropriate policies and procedures.
• Represent the company in interactions with regulatory authorities, industry associations, and external stakeholders.

 

Other Core Duties

• Serve as a trusted advisor to business units, offering pragmatic legal advice that supports innovation and growth while managing risk.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement within the Legal department and drive implementation of best practices.
• Effectively engage, monitor and motivate outside counsel resources and ensure cost-effective use of such resources.
• Support corporate governance activities, including preparation for board and committee meetings and maintenance of corporate records.
• Assist with the development and implementation of company policies and procedures related to legal and compliance matters.

Handle special projects and other duties as assigned by the General Counsel or other executive leadership.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

 

Leadership Responsibilities

As a visible organizational leader and influencer, you will directly supervise and mentor a diverse team of attorneys, legal specialists, and assistants and effectively manage outside counsel. You will drive departmental excellence by prioritizing workloads, setting clear performance objectives, providing coaching, and supporting professional development opportunities necessary to foster a high performing, engaged team. Working in close partnership with the General Counsel, you will cultivate a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, ensuring the legal team is empowered to meet company objectives through regular feedback and strategic support for staff growth.

 

What You'll Bring

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in a law firm and/or in-house legal department, with significant exposure to the insurance industry preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in some or all the following emphasis areas: M&A, contract drafting and negotiation, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance.
• Proven supervisory and team leadership experience; ability to inspire, mentor, and develop legal professionals.
• Exceptional analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Strong business acumen and the capacity to translate complex legal concepts into actionable business guidance.
• Experience managing outside counsel and legal budgets is a plus.
• Commitment to ethical conduct, confidentiality, and professional integrity.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to anticipate legal issues, advise on long-term risks, and align legal strategy with business objectives.
• Leadership: Talent for motivating teams, managing change, and fostering an inclusive environment.
• Collaboration: Skilled in building relationships across departments and with external partners.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to present complex legal concepts clearly and persuasively.
• Problem-Solving: Creative and pragmatic approach to resolving legal and business challenges.

 

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations 

Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.

 Physical Requirements 

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or touch objects or controls; and talk or hear.