Chief Administrative Officer & General Counsel

Position Purpose: The Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel is a member of the executive management team of the corporation. This position is the primary legal advisor to the corporation, acting through its Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer, and other members of the executive management team. This position manages the Legal Department, including human resources, insurance and risk management, and contract development and management. This role manages all legal matters and projects for the corporation, provides legal advice to the corporation, and identifies, develops, communicates, and monitors policies to ensure compliance of the corporation’s operations with applicable law.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Responsible for all legal matters for the corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiary, MWF LLC, and works with all departments. The essential duties and responsibilities include the following:

1. Advise executive members on new laws, existing laws and legal rights that would impact functionality of the business.
2. Overseeing the legal matters of the business as a whole, including acting as the organization’s legal representative as needed.
3. Draft, negotiate, and/or review and approve all contracts including updating form contracts as needed. Maintain knowledge of the corporation’s legal documents and operations.
4. Develop and review legal strategy in response to any litigation and any other dispute or adversarial proceedings. Oversee the management of all lawsuits, disputes and insurance claims.
5. Retain and manage outside counsel when needed.
6. Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state and local government statutes & regulations.
7. Supervise legal and human resources personnel, including the recruitment, organizational training and management of human resources related activities.
8. Risk management including claims management and reporting; managing insurance requirements for contractors, sponsors and vendors; and implementing related policies and training.
9. All insurance procurement including liability, property, cyber, and workers compensation.
10. Manage procurement/purchasing policies for the corporation, oversee bidding process and contract management and budget coordination.
11. Manage licensing and protection of intellectual property.
12. Assist in developing agenda for board meetings in consultation with all departments, prepare for board and board committee meetings, and manage and maintain corporate records.
13. Development and/or refine various corporate policies and programs for implementation.
14. Consistently and professionally represent the corporation to the general public, media and other partners.
15. Maintain a safe, positive, cooperative, team-oriented attitude and work environment and abide by all Human Resources and Legal policies toward treatment of all employees and ensure others do the same.
16. Work with other departments in implementing contingency, continuity, and recovery plans.
17. Communicate relevant information to department and others within the corporation within a timely manner through proper channels.
18. Continually strive for improved means and methods toward department management, including giving and receiving feedback from colleagues, direct reports, and upper management.

The above list reflects the general details necessary to describe the principle and essential functions of the position and shall not be construed as the only duties that may be assigned for the position. Employees are also expected to complete all duties otherwise assigned. An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Graduate of an ABA accredited law school with a J.D. degree.
2. Admitted to practice law in any state in the U.S.A. and in good standing. If not admitted in Wisconsin, eligible to register as in-house counsel under the rules of the Wisconsin Board of Bar Examiners.
3. At least 10 years of relevant legal experience in an in-house, government, or law firm setting.
4. Sound character with a clear understanding of the discretion and confidentiality required for this position.
5. Valid driver’s license.
6. Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends and holidays.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Experience managing a legal department, office, or section.
2. Experience negotiating and drafting sponsorship, vendor, and other event venue related contracts.
3. Experience in human resources and in negotiating union labor contracts.
4. Experience as a litigator or managing litigation.
5. Experience with not-for-profit corporation management.
6. Superior intellect, with the ability to combine analytical reasoning, creativity and judgment.
7. Quick study, highly organized, and able to handle complex matters with the ability to manage and prioritize various projects simultaneously.
8. Excellent legal research skills.
9. Ability to resolve complex customer service and conflict management issues.
10. Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communications skills.
11. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
12. Functional knowledge of the special event business.

Language Skills: Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret statutes, regulations, corporation policies, budgets, and other corporate documents. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and policy manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. Foreign language skills are a plus.

Computer Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office software including SharePoint, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and web browser technology including Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer. Knowledge of contract management software and online legal research resources a plus.

Physical and Mental Demands: While this position is continuously office-based with desk work most of the year, during the summer event season, it may require occasional walking, standing, and bending, as well as intermittent lifting of 15 lbs or less. The position’s mental demands include comprehension, reasoning, decision making, math, and handling stressful situations.

The physical and mental requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

Work Environment: The individual in this position will occasionally work evenings, weekends and holidays. The position will include work both in the office and outdoors. Employee may be exposed to various weather conditions including rain, snow, wind, and extreme cold and heat as well as certain risks or hazards that are typically associated with a concert-type setting including: loud sounds, poor lighting, flashing lights, and crowded areas. Employee may be exposed to certain risks or hazards that are typically associated with an outdoor public venue. Some travel may be required.

Milwaukee World Festival, Inc., provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of a person's race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), age, national origin, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. We also abide by the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and state law governing employment of individuals with disabilities. Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. is a seasonal amusement or recreational establishment under Section 13(a)(3) of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore exempt from federal minimum wage and overtime pay requirements.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $200,000.00 - $225,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person