Assistant General Counsel, Vita Coco
Corporate
$150-200k
3 days a week in office
Coconut-based beverages
Be an early applicant
Coconut-based beverages
501-1000 employees
Be an early applicant
$150-200k
3 days a week in office
501-1000 employees
Company mission
To reimagine what is possible when brands deliver great-tasting, natural, and nutritious products that are better for you and better for the world.
Role
Who you are
- The Assistant General Counsel must be an experienced lawyer with the legal background, commercial orientation and interpersonal skills sufficient to provide strong legal and compliance support at a public company, while being a team player and operating effectively in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment
- They will be a person of high integrity, judgment, and business acumen who is collaborative and comfortable working with colleagues at every level of the organization
- They will have experience in public company corporate and securities matters and corporate transactions (including M&A)
- They will be comfortable rolling up their sleeves and digging in on the day-to-day legal requirements as part of a small internal legal team, knowing when to execute internally or to outsource as needed
- In terms of a specific profile, it would be most desirable if the candidate has the following background:
- Law degree from an accredited U.S. law school and be a member of a state bar
- Law firm experience with substantial exposure to corporate & securities law
- Experience in a publicly held corporation with a global business
- Knowledge of SEC filing requirements, the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, Nasdaq rules, and Delaware corporate law
- Experience counseling senior management on legal matters, including the securities and corporate governance requirements of a public company
- Mergers and acquisitions and strategics transactions experience
- Experience assessing and mitigating legal risk
- Works well in a multidisciplinary team environment. Demonstrated ability to cooperate with and relate to company personnel at all corporate and operating levels
- Experience working in a hands-on legal role within a small multi-functional legal department, while managing external counsel
- Brings a pragmatic and balanced approach
- A strong work ethic, with a sense of urgency, honesty and fairness
- Strong project management and organizational skills
What the job involves
- Reporting to the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary (“General Counsel”), the Assistant General Counsel will be a key member of the Legal Team, supporting the team’s execution of the Company’s strategies, and assisting with corporate governance, securities laws and the obligations of the Company as a public company including equity management
- The role involves acting in collaboration with members of the Leadership Team, the Finance Group and many other partners within the Company
- The job is a unique opportunity for a lawyer to be part of an entrepreneurial leadership team and participate in business decisions for a small international company in a fast-paced growth environment
- Legal review and preparation of public company disclosure submissions, including SEC securities filings, such as proxy statements, Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, and Section 16 filings, 10b5-1 plans, collaborating closely with Finance and other groups within the Company
- Ensure compliance with U.S. securities laws and exchange listing rules and other applicable requirements
- Assist with corporate governance requirements and counsel on best practices
- Drafting, analyzing and negotiating complex and routine commercial contracts, including marketing (including influencer, promotion and independent contractors), master services, supply chain, distribution, non-disclosure, and licensing and other technology agreements
- Create and manage policies and procedures relating to public company matters, including equity trading, Regulation FD, Section 16, FCPA, antitrust and disclosure committee policies
- Stay up to date on securities and Delaware law trends and educate internal teams as needed
- Provide support to the Company’s Board of Directors and Board Committee members and assist with the preparation of Board and Committee meeting materials
- Review and assist with ESG-related legal requirements and disclosures
- Oversee subsidiary management, including ensuring the satisfaction of governance and local requirements
- Support equity management program
- Manage transactions such as entry into credit agreements and securities offerings
- Counseling on both the business and legal ramifications of significant Company strategic imperatives, including possible mergers and acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures and investments
- Assist with due diligence and drafting and negotiation of legal agreements in connection with mergers and acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures and investments
- Active participation as a key member of the Legal Team in the resolution of a broad range of legal and business issues, working with multiple departments across the Company
- Manage outside counsel and help manage department budget and forecast
- Ensuring that the Company’s management and Board are advised of any new legislation or regulation which may significantly affect the Company
Our take
Coconut water is a $1B+ market in the US, and it was fiercely fought over back when it was still emerging. Vita Coco ultimately came out on top, beating out Zico (ultimately shuttered following its acquisition by Coca Cola), and since then has spread its reach to over 30 countries worldwide.
It’s made some savvy product decisions to keep hold of this top spot. The Vita Coco brand has diversified to accommodate developing consumer priorities by including additional health and sustainability focused beverages. It’s also riding the recent canned-cocktail craze through a partnership forged with Diageo’s Captain Morgan. And, perhaps most importantly, it hasn’t meddled much with its prices in spite of the economic downturn.
Analysts predict this budget-friendly approach will see the top-tier company performing well in the event of a recession. Certainly, it will also give the company a boost in a market where coconut water is considered a premium beverage. There are whispers that Zico might be returning to the game, but this old rival will have a lot of catching up to do, especially off the back of a post-IPO secondary offering that has bolstered Coco's value.
Kirsty
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
Company
Funding (2 rounds)
Feb 2011
$13.7m
EARLY VC
May 2010
$4.1m
EARLY VC
Total funding: $17.8m
Company benefits
- Health Benefits
- 401(k) + Match
- Paid Holidays and Unlimited Vacation
- Phone Allowance
- Car Allowance
- Gas Card
- Professional Development
- Financial Advisors
- Employee Product Allowance
- Commuter Benefits
- Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave
- CALM & PEERFIT Gym Membership
- Vita Coco E*Trade Account
- Pet Insurance & Dog Friendly Office
Company HQ
Midtown Manhattan, New York, NY
Leadership
Michael Kirban
(Executive Chairman & Co-Founder)Has been with the company ever since co-founding it back in 2004.
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