Job Details

Senior Legal Services Manager

About Kendra Scott

We are a fashion-lifestyle brand of big dreams, colorful confidence, and inspired design. Founded on Family, Fashion and Philanthropy, we believe that our employees and customers are the heart and soul of our brand, and that giving back is the truest form of success. Fashion meets innovation in the design of our two state-of-the-art facilities based in the heart of Austin, Texas, and overflows into the design of our growing retail environment across the country.

Position Overview

We have an exciting opportunity to support the continued growth of our Company at our Home Office in Austin, TX! Reporting to our Senior Director, Intellectual Property & Marketing Counsel, our Sr. Legal Services Manager will be responsible for contract review, supporting various intellectual property and brand protection matters, new products and licensing endeavors, advertising review and guidance, litigation support, legal compliance and project management in an effort to protect the company and reduce risk. This role requires someone who is a self-starter, will proactively speak up on risk issues, highly organized, attentive to detail and great at working with cross-functional teams on multiple projects.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain, process, and/or oversee files, correspondence, contract management, records, and/or other documents for all agreements and other executed legal documents.
• Manage the contract review and negotiation process; collaborate with cross functional teams to ensure business needs are met and approved in each contract.
• Assist with or own drafting and redlining a variety of agreements, and creating, updating and administering form-based contracts and other templates; communicate with company vendors in regard to contract matters.
• Responsible for directing trademark prosecution, maintenance and enforcement matters, as well as filing copyright applications and documenting related registrations, appeals and refusals. Provide strategic direction to IP counsel.
• Support founder-related matters, as well as own advance review for a majority of product designs, campaigns, branding and social media content.
• Responsible for IP-related customs matters and engaging cross functional teams accordingly.
• Support on various licensing and private label merchandise matters, including music, product and marketing collaborations, and new product lines.
• Responsible for tracking documents, filings and deadlines for various matters.
• Support claims and litigation matters in a timely manner; consult with insurance companies and brokers; track deadlines and provide administrative assistance.
• Support or manage special projects for matters such as advertising / marketing, intellectual property, merchandising, philanthropy, brand protection and risk management, and as needed related to any other subject area impacting fashion/retail, providing research, reporting, advice and such other tasks as required in support of such projects.
• Accountable for ongoing marketing compliance-related matters at the federal and local levels; provide legal support and advice to marketing and store teams.
• Consult with management, outside counsel, commercial advisors, and cross-functional teams on a regular basis.
• Act as liaison with cross-functional teams and internal stakeholders; educate on roles and responsibilities, processes and procedures, for matters involving Company's legal/risk team.
• Respond to incoming requests for legal advice/business guidance from cross-functional partners and exercise judgement in prioritizing requests.
• Provide initial review for projects, product names and campaigns and advise on legal requirements and risk assessment.
• Work cross-functionally and collaborate with the rest of the legal/risk team to help develop policies on industry-specific issues, legal or regulatory affairs.
• Develop strategic business partnerships and counsel cross-functional teams on general business and legal matters.

Our Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• 10+ years' experience as a Legal role with 3-5 years in a leadership or supervisory role managing support staff or outside counsel, either at a law firm and/or for a high-growth company required
• Sr. Legal Services Manager certificate preferred
• Proficiency in Smartsheets and the Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel spreadsheets and the track changes and document compare functions in Microsoft Word
• Proficiency in Ironclad or other similar contract management system preferred
• Strong analytical, research, communication, and organizational skills
• A high level of accountability, reliability, and initiative
• Excellent accuracy and attention to detail, with a strong sense of responsibility and follow-through
• A proven ability to execute with consistent delivery and reprioritize based on business needs
• Possess a high level of integrity, discretion, tact, judgment, and ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to communicate complex issues, risks, and opportunities confidently, succinctly and in an easily understood and concise manner cross-functionally
• Enthusiasm to support the department and organization and eagerness to learn
• A solutions-oriented mentality with a data-driven approach
• A strong ability to build cross-functional partnerships and work collaboratively
• A growth mindset: desire to leverage past learnings, grow, and embrace new ideas
• A shared appreciation for our 3 core values of Family, Fashion, and Philanthropy