Senior Director, Legal Counsel - Environmental, Safety & Sustainability

The Coca-Cola Company is seeking a Senior Director, Legal Counsel - Environmental, Safety & Sustainability in Atlanta, GA. This role involves leading the global legal practice for environmental and sustainability issues, providing strategic legal counsel, managing risks, and collaborating with various departments. The candidate must have a J.D. and 10-15 years of relevant experience. The position requires oversight of legal matters related to compliance, investigations, and environmental regulations.
About the position

The Senior Director, Legal Counsel - Environmental, Safety & Sustainability will report directly to the Associate General Counsel for Global Regulatory & Litigation. This role will lead the global environmental and sustainability legal practice and will manage the legal network for these areas. The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting the Company's regulatory strategy and providing oversight and guidance on all legal matters related to Environmental, Safety & Sustainability. The focus will be on delivering strategic, solution-oriented legal services and practical, expert counsel on compliance, investigations, and enforcement matters. This role requires collaboration with Operating Unit counsels to ensure comprehensive legal support for our global business.

Responsibilities
• Develop and implement the global Environmental and Sustainability strategy, partnering with the Corporate Secretary's Office to anchor an international Environmental and Sustainability network.
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• Collaborate with Operating Unit counsels worldwide to ensure seamless delivery of legal support.
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• Provide counsel on environmental, safety, and securities laws and regulations, assessing their impact on our current and future business.
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• Identify and manage significant risks and provide regular status reports to senior legal and business management.
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• Offer legal counsel to Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability (PACS), including review of significant global sustainability communications.
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• Cooperate with Technical, Supply Chain, Risk Management, and PACS to address regulatory risks and trends.
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• Review and advise on draft securities filings and communications related to earnings announcements.
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• Advise on pending legislation and proposed regulations affecting climate, greenhouse emissions, recycling, and other sustainability issues.
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• Collaborate with trade associations and external partners to influence public policy.
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• Conduct and oversee environmental due diligence for real estate acquisitions and other transactions.
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• Provide legal counsel on packaging, recycling, and technical innovations, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
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• Collaborate with the Litigation team to handle environmental litigation and remediation.
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• Provide legal counsel, advice, and training on sustainability external communications policy.
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• Manage the environmental/sustainability legal budget, maximizing efficiency and controlling costs associated with outside counsel.
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• Supervise and manage occupational health and safety enforcement and compliance for the North America Operating Unit (NAOU) operations and facilities.
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• Provide counsel on implementing and evolving global occupational health & safety compliance policies.
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• Handle investigations and incident responses related to occupational health and safety.
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• Advise on EOSH issues from various Company plants and facilities across the US.
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• Participate in cross-functional Incident Management & Crisis Response (IMCR) teams as the legal representative.

Requirements
• J.D. Degree and a practicing member in good standing of a U.S. state or international bar.
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• 10-15 years of experience in a large national law firm, government, and/or corporate legal department practice.
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• 7+ years specifically in environmental law and public policy.
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• Consumer products, marketing, and/or food and beverage industry experience is a plus.
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• Background in science, engineering, or environmental studies is strongly preferred.
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• Expertise in multiple federal and state regulatory programs, with litigation and investigations experience.
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• Detailed knowledge and experience with federal and state agency compliance and enforcement practices.

Nice-to-haves
• Participation in law review or advocacy programs.
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• Prior government service.

Benefits
• Base pay range: $199,800 - $243,000.
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• Annual Incentive Reference Value Percentage: 30.
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• A full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits.