Assistant General Counsel, Environmental Remediation

Job Description

Grace is seeking an Assistant General Counsel, Environmental Remediation to join our Legal leadership team as we grow and develop our organization to build a scalable platform for rapid organic and inorganic growth. This role reports to our Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary and is located in Columbia, Maryland.

The Assistant General Counsel, Environmental Remediation will oversee and manage resolution and remediation of environmental remediation sites, including but not limited to engagement with government and non-government stakeholders, site assessment, development and execution of technical solutions, permitting, site management and remediation, and identification and interaction with other potentially responsible parties.  These sites span a variety of Superfund and other environmental sites across a number of states and territories.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate, oversee, and manage effective and efficient resolution and remediation of environmental sites
• Advise and counsel on all remediation issues, policies, and risk management matters
• Provide practical, well-informed legal advice for the Grace business
• Negotiate complex remediation agreements with EPA and/or states
• Develop and drive appropriate government affairs and community relations strategies
• Manage Grace’s Remediation Team of technical experts and project managers, combining legal with technical expertise
• Support merger and acquisition activity, including due diligence
• Advance regulatory, commercial, and operational excellence
• Ensure the utilization of third party and outside Legal resources are managed effectively
• Other responsibilities as assigned

Required Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school
• Strong academic credentials
• At least ten years’ experience in a law firm, trade association, corporate legal department and/or government environmental agency dealing with environmental remediation (experience at US EPA preferred)
• Knowledge of US federal and state environmental remediation systems
• Deep expertise in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA, or Superfund)
• Experience handling complex legal projects such as Superfund and enforcement defense
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex information to non-lawyers
• Process-oriented
• Comfort with financial, scientific, technical and project management matters
• Intellectual curiosity
• Strong interest in performing environmental work for a multi-national chemical manufacturing company
• Ability to work well with all levels of the company
• Ability to work well in a team environment
• Credibility and trust when communicating in and outside the company
• Excellent communication and analytical skills
• Ability to think strategically and tactically
• Facility with technical, financial, and legal topics, with the ability to translate and simplify complex concepts for senior management and external stakeholders
• Detail-oriented, organized, efficient, and resourceful with strong follow-through skills
• Some travel required

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive Superfund management experience
• Significant experience at US EPA

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance and Disability
• Grace Wellness Program
• Flexible Workplace
• Retirement Plans 
• 401(k) Company Match – Dollar to dollar up to the first 6%
• Paid Vacation and Holidays
• Parental Leave (salaried only)
• Tuition Reimbursement

U.S. Employee Benefits Summary (grace.com)