Senior Counsel, Regulatory Affairs

Position Title: Senior Counsel, Regulatory Affairs (Americas)

Location: New York, New York or Calabasas, CA (Hybrid)

ABOUT THE WELLA COMPANY

Together, WE enable individuals to look, feel, and be their true selves.

Wella Company is one of the world’s leading beauty companies, comprised of a family of iconic brands such as Wella Professionals, Clairol, OPI, Nioxin and ghd. With 6,000 employees globally, presence in over 100 countries, Wella Company and its brands enable consumers to look, feel, and be their true selves. As innovators in the hair and nail industry, Wella Company empowers its people to delight consumers, inspire beauty professionals, engage communities, and deliver sustainable growth to its stakeholders.

For additional information about the Wella Company please visit www.wellacompany.com.

THE ROLE

Senior Counsel, Regulatory Affairs (Americas) will provide critical legal support for laws impacting the beauty industry and other regulatory-related matters across Wella Company's portfolio of products. The position will counsel business and other cross-functional partners on a wide variety of beauty law-related regulatory compliance activities in U.S., and across the Americas, including labeling and marketing claims.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Advise the business and key cross-functional partners (including but not limited to R&D, Marketing, Regulatory Affairs) on the full scope of legal issues in the beauty/cosmetics industry and pertinent regulatory matters, including:

• Compliance with regulatory schemes in the U.S. at the federal (e.g., FTC, MOCRA, Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act) and state levels (e.g., Prop 65), and the remainder of the Americas, as applicable
• Compliance with ESG related claims including packaging and company-related messaging
• Compliance with packaging regulations and requirements including as dictated by FTC guidance
• Product attribute claims development and testing protocols; review of marketing claims for hair and nail portfolio products
• Assistance with quality and product recalls

• Provide legal advice and counsel on regulatory and marketing-related activities, with a focus on those that overlap with
• primary support activities (e.g., regulated label claims, product attribute claims review across hair and nail portfolio)
• Liaise with external counsel., as necessary, including regarding compliance with laws in other regions in the Americas
• Manage and drive all regulatory/marketing/labeling-related litigation and industry challenges
• Monitor, evaluate and manage regulatory trends and litigation and develop appropriate strategic and proactive approach to be communicated with internal stakeholders
• In partnership with the Regulatory, R&D, and Marketing teams, provide advice and counsel in the authoring and updating of regulatory review policy and processes
• Serve as the legal point of contact for the Communications and ESG team reviewing all communications materials, environmental, sustainability and governance
• Provide substantive collaborative support to other members of the Legal department as it relates to areas of coverage
• Liaise with government regulatory bodies and administrative agencies, as necessary, on behalf of the company
• Participate with relevant trade associations (such as Personal Care Products Council) to understand industry issues and risks and act as the company legal representative at any relevant events
• Partner with business units in the development, implementation, and continued education of the company's regulatory compliance policies and procedures
• Advise and consult with all levels of the organization including senior leadership to identify critical legal issues, assess potential legal options, and provide individuals and teams with an analysis and range of possible legal solutions
• Manage outside counsel in your areas of coverage as needed

REQUIREMENTS

• Licensed attorney in CA or NY (or ability to obtain a license as an in-house counsel) with J.D. from a top law school with exceptional academic credentials
• Minimum 10 years of experience at a leading law firm or in-house corporate legal department
• Meaningful experience advising on cosmetic regulatory matters, including in the litigation context
• Experience evaluating scientific and technical information to support product safety determinations and product claims substantiation.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) skills; a strong collaborator that can work effectively with business partners and colleagues
• Ability to execute in a complex matrixed (and geographically dispersed) environment
• Exceptional business and legal issue identification with practical, business-oriented approach to problem-solving in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and creatively to solve complex legal challenges
• Independent, detail-oriented, organized and efficient with strong follow-through skills
• Strong desire to learn the business and function integrally as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Collegial, hard-working, confident, a self-starter and team player and have a passion for results
• Ability to travel as business needs require

We disclose the compensation range for positions in compliance with local law. Actual salaries will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. The range listed is just one component of Wella Company's total rewards package for employees. Pay Range: $220,000K-240,000K salary per year. Other rewards may include annual bonus plan or variable pay, depending on the role. In addition, Wella Company provides a rich variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance, life, and disability insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, paid holidays and paid time off (PTO). 

EEO OPPORTUNITIES

We offer equal employment opportunity to qualified individuals without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Wella Company with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact us at: https://www.wellacompany.com/consumer-affairs

We strongly believe that cultivating a diverse workplace gives a company strength. The combination of unique skills, abilities, experiences and backgrounds creates an environment that produces extraordinary results. EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled.

English - Please click on this link to review the Notification of Equal Opportunity Rights poster

Español - Por favor, haga un clic en el enlace para revisar el poster de la Ley de los Derechos de Igualdad de Empleo