VP, Contracts Counsel

Vice President, Contracts Counsel
Location: Hudson Yards, New York

Reports to: Chief Contracts Officer

We’re L’Oréal! We're not just building brands; we're shaping how the world experiences beauty (and it takes a lot of cool jobs to do it). Intrigued? Keep reading—this might be the opportunity you’ve been searching for.

A Day in the Life

As the Vice President, Contracts Counsel, you’ll be at the heart of L’Oréal USA’s Legal Team, reporting to the Chief Contracts Leader. You’ll play a pivotal role in providing strategic legal and business counseling, developing key policies, leading and developing junior attorneys and negotiating and advising on a wide range of commercial agreements, ensuring our business operates smoothly and in compliance with the law. This is a fast-paced, dynamic role with opportunities to grow and make a meaningful impact.

Here’s what you’ll be working on:

• Business-Driving Legal Advice: Working with Sourcing Leads and Brand and Corporate Executives, develop and implement contract strategy and library for L’Oreal USA and lead negotiations on a variety of strategic commercial contracts with key customers, vendors, business partners, and other third parties.
• Strategic Collaboration: Partner with senior leadership in corporate and brand functions to identify significant business risks and opportunities and driving contracting policy and strategy and complex negotiations.
• Risk Mitigation: Identifying legal and business risks and offering creative and effective strategic solutions to mitigate them.
• Policy Development & Training: Provide thought leadership on the development and evolution of legal department policies and escalation procedures, including the implementation of AI tools. Implement legal training modules and tools for L’Oreal employees in key business and brand functions.
• External Counsel Management: Oversee and manage outside counsel on select projects.
• Team Leadership and Mentoring: Oversee and manage the development and mentoring of junior attorneys.

We Are Looking For

You’re a great match for this role if you have:

• Legal Expertise: JD from an ABA-accredited law school and admission to practice in New York (or eligibility for an in-house license).
• Experience: 15++ years of commercial contracting experience in a law firm and/or in-house legal department, including progressive experience with corporate transactions, technology, marketing, retail, licensing and brand partnerships agreements. In-house legal experience required.
• Industry Knowledge: Experience in the beauty, retail, hospitality and consumer goods industries is preferred.
• Team Development and Leadership: Experience in leading, developing, mentoring and managing junior attorneys and paralegals.
• Skills: Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills, with the ability to identify risks and propose effective solutions.
• Mindset: A self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced environment and collaborates effectively with diverse teams.
• Communication: Diplomatic and clear communication skills to build strong partnerships across the organization.

Physical Requirements

This role is based in an office setting and requires the following:

• Ability to work in a standard office environment, including extended periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to use standard office equipment such as a computer, keyboard, mouse, telephone, and printer.
• Occasional light lifting of files, documents, or office supplies (up to 10 lbs).
• Ability to travel to meetings or events as needed.

What’s In It For You

• A place for you to leave your comfort zone and grow beyond your potential (here, you’ll be encouraged to try new things and take risks!).
• Real responsibility from day one—there’s no sitting on the sidelines at L’Oréal.
• An environment where people of every ethnicity, social background, age, religion, gender, and sexual orientation—as well as people with disabilities—are accepted, can speak up, will thrive, and are celebrated!
• A place where you can contribute to something bigger! Many of our brands have societal and environmental causes to make a concrete difference.

Salary range: $172-250K

Who We Are

L’Oréal USA is the largest subsidiary of L’Oréal SA, the world’s leading beauty company. With over 35 iconic brands and $8 billion in annual sales, we’re committed to sustainable innovation and creating beauty that moves the world. Our Legal Team is a globally connected, collaborative community that protects our brands, people, and company while ensuring compliance with the law and our high ethical standards.

We’re committed to guaranteeing inclusive recruitment processes and advocating for hiring and promoting each candidate in an ethical and equitable way. The Group strictly prohibits discrimination against any applicant for employment because of the individual’s gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, visible and/or invisible disabilities, socio-economic and/or multicultural origins, health conditions, age, religion, or any other characteristics protected by law.