Legal Director

Provides legal leadership and support to agricultural operational and administrative management. Responsible for handling a broad range of legal issues in Mexico. Guides operations in compliance with legal requirements and develops legal strategies that support efficient and effective agricultural operations. Ensures the management of legal risks minimizing liability exposure in the achievement of business goals.

Strategies and Policies on Legal and Regulatory Issues

• Define and lead the company's overall legal, regulatory, governance and compliance strategy, ensuring alignment with long-term business objectives, operational effectiveness, and risk mitigation.
• Serve as the principal advisor to executive leadership on legal, regulatory, governance, corporate, and strategic business matters specific to the agricultural industry.
• Establish legal frameworks, policies, and governance standards that enable compliant and efficient agricultural business operations.
• Accountable for enterprise-wide legal risk management, regulatory compliance framework, and corporate governance practices.
• Anticipate emerging legal and regulatory developments affecting agriculture and proactively develop strategies to address risks and capitalize on business opportunities.
• Lead enterprise-wide legal risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies to protect organizational assets, reputation, and business continuity.
• Ensure legal considerations are integrated into strategic planning, expansion initiatives, and key business decisions .

Government Relations, External Representation, and Strategic Negotiations

• Represent the company before governmental authorities, regulatory agencies, industry associations, chambers of commerce, labor organizations, and other external stakeholders relevant to the agriculture industry.
• Develop and execute legal and regulatory engagement strategies that advance the organization's business objectives and protect its interests.
• Lead high-impact negotiations involving commercial agreements, strategic partnerships, labor matters, regulatory issues, and corporate transactions relating to agriculture.
• Provide executive oversight and strategic direction regarding governmental inquiries, regulatory matters, inspections, and investigations in agricultural industry.
• Act as the legal representative for matters with significant business, financial, operational, or reputational implications in agricultural industry.

Executive Business Partnership

• Serve as a strategic member of the leadership team, providing legal guidance to senior executives on business strategy, operational decisions, and organizational priorities.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives requiring legal oversight and governance support and partner with different areas to align legal strategies with enterprise objectives.
• Translate complex legal and regulatory requirements into practical business solutions that enable informed decision-making and sustainable growth.
• Communicate the policies and strategies issued by the department.

Corporate Governance and Regulatory Compliance

• Oversee the company's corporate governance framework, ensuring compliance with applicable laws (agrarian, water, real property, privacy, labor etc), regulations, and ethical standards.
• Direct the design and implementation of compliance programs, policies, and internal controls across the organization.
• Ensure legal and regulatory compliance across all business operations and legal entities.
• Oversee legal support related to corporate structure, governance requirements, strategic initiatives, and business transformation efforts.
• Promote a culture of integrity, accountability, and ethical business conduct throughout the organization.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and mitigation of risks within the agricultural operations.

Budget Control

• Establish department budget and operating plans aligned with business priorities and standards.
• Oversee the selection, engagement, and performance management of external legal counsel, advisors, notaries, and specialized consultants.
• Optimize legal service delivery through effective resource management, process improvement, and cost control strategies.
• Ensure efficient management of legal expenditures.

Leadership and Organizational Development

• Build and lead a high-performing legal organization capable of supporting current and future business needs.
• Develop succession plans, talent strategies, and capability-building initiatives within the Legal function.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and professional excellence.

Knowledge

• Corporate Law - Advanced
• Contract Law (Obligations and Contracts) - Advanced
• Real Estate Law - Intermediate
• Water Law - Intermediate
• Business - Intermediate
• Finance – Essential

Skills & Abilities

• Exemplify the corporate values of honesty, fairness and respect
• Excellent interpersonal skills including professional and diplomatic demeanor
• Strong communication skills, including written, verbal, listening and presentation
• High level of responsibility, time management and self-organization skills
• Flexibility in juggling competing priorities and changing expectations
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with a high degree of professionalism
• Outstanding judgment and mature business skills with the ability to establish a strong rapport with senior leadership
• Ability to forge strong relationships at multiple levels and with multiple groups
• Strong pragmatic business acumen with the ability to recognize the business consequences of legal advice
• Actively seek to acquire and maintain awareness of issues relevant to the company’s business activities
• Demonstrates a strong entrepreneurial mindset
• High motivation with a strong focus on achieving measurable results
• Takes a proactive approach to responsibilities, anticipating needs and acting ahead of challenges
• Shows initiative by independently identifying priorities and taking appropriate action when needed

ROLE DIMENSION

Education Level: Bachelor's degree completed with postgraduate studies desirable

Field/s of Education: Law

Years of Experience: 15+ years of experience with a focus on agribusiness and related matters. Must have a deep understanding of laws and regulations affecting agriculture, meaningful experience with contract law, corporate law, water law, real estate law and/or business law and/or business law and experience dealing with COFEPRIS, SEMARNAT and/or CONAGUA.

LANGUAGES: Spoken: 85-95%, Read: 85-95%, Written 85-95%

NECESSARY SOFTWARE:

• Word
• Power Point
• Adobe
• Excel

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: Availability to travel between different sites in Mexico and occasionally to the US