Senior Vice President of Legal & Deputy General Counsel

Creating a world where pets live longer, healthier lives, from their very first meal.   Learn more about our brands. We’re Looking For A(n): Senior Vice President or Legal & Deputy General Counsel Location: Hybrid (El Segundo, CA and/or Burbank/North Hollywood, CA) What You’ll Be Doing: The Senior Vice President or Legal & Deputy General Counsel (SVP & DGC) will be responsible for leading the company's legal strategy and management in alignment with business objectives. As a key member of the executive leadership team, the SVP & DGC will drive legal excellence, risk management, corporate governance, and compliance across the enterprise. This role requires a leader who can balance pragmatic, business-first counsel with the rigor, governance, and transparency required of a sophisticated, high-growth organization.  An ideal candidate would have previous public company experience as a General Counsel or 5+ years of experience as Deputy General Counsel with proven SEC and Board/C-Suite management interaction. This role reports to the current GC/CLO with the intention of becoming the GC/CLO for the company after an interim period and demonstrated success in the company.  Must be located in Los Angeles and have the required experience listed below. Executive Leadership & Strategy Partner with the CEO, CFO and Board of Directors on governance matters, risk oversight, and strategic initiatives Develop and execute a comprehensive legal strategy aligned with long-term business goals and investor expectations Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on corporate structure, M&A, commercial transactions, and enterprise risk Build and lead a high-performing legal function that operates as a true business partner across the organization Corporate Governance & Compliance Design and maintain a robust corporate governance framework, including Board and committee charters, policies, and reporting cadences Oversee compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulatory requirements Partner with Finance and the Board on governance disclosures, reporting obligations, and fiduciary responsibilities Implement and manage internal controls related to legal and compliance processes in alignment with best-in-class governance standards Advise on equity plan administration, capitalization table matters, and investor-related agreements Commercial & Transactional Legal Lead all M&A activity, including due diligence, structuring, negotiation, and integration Oversee commercial contracting across procurement, sales, licensing, co-manufacturing, and distribution Manage and optimize the company's use of outside counsel to ensure cost-effective, high-quality legal support Provide legal support for financing transactions, including debt, equity, and strategic partnerships Regulatory, IP & Litigation Oversee the company's intellectual property portfolio, including trademarks, trade secrets, and licensing agreements Manage all litigation, regulatory proceedings, and dispute resolution strategy Ensure compliance with food safety, labeling, and pet product regulatory requirements (FDA, AAFCO, FTC, etc.) Monitor legislative and regulatory developments affecting the business and proactively advise leadership Risk Management & Ethics Develop and lead an enterprise-wide risk management framework Own the company's Code of Conduct, ethics hotline, and compliance training programs Partner with HR and Finance on employment matters, executive compensation, and benefits-related legal issues Lead data privacy and cybersecurity legal strategy, including compliance with CCPA and applicable data protection laws Qualifications (Note: We strongly encourage you to apply even if you don’t tick ALL of these boxes.): 15+ years of legal experience, with 5+ in-house at a corporate legal function in a public company Proven public company track record in corporate governance, M&A, SEC, and commercial legal areas, including advertising, regulatory (FDA/FTC), ERISA/benefits, and intellectual property Corporate legal experience with organizations having complex corporate/ownership structures Deep expertise in SEC law, corporate governance, commercial transactions, and Board/C-suite engagement is particularly critical for this role Demonstrated success in building, managing, and scaling legal operations in a high-growth company Exceptional executive presence, communication, and stakeholder management skills Prior experience as General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel in a public company Required Education: U.S. law degree (JD) Preferred Education: Top U.S. law school Preferred Experience: Deep in SEC law and associated public company governance including managing and planning public Board meetings and associated governance with management. Preferred Licensure/Certification: California Bar Required Licensure/Certification: Admitted to the California Bar Golden Perks & Benefits: Comprehensive healthcare coverage – We cover  100% of premiums  for medical, dental, and vision plans for employee-only plans. Annual bonus We match up to  3.5% of your 401k contributions , ensuring your retirement savings grow alongside your career. 6 paid sick and mental health days,  an Employee Assistance Program, free weekly yoga and meditation classes, and additional mental health benefits, because we take a holistic approach to your well-being. Invest in your future with our  Employee Stock Ownership Plan , where company contributions fund your retirement plan with company stock.  Learn more. Reimbursements for a portion of personal cell phone and internet usage  for eligible employees. Professional development   opportunities  with mentorship, continuous learning programs, and performance-based pay increases, empowering you to progress and excel in your career. Through our charity sponsorships, you can make a positive impact on communitie