Job Description

Who We Are

For over 20 years, SPINS has been a leader in recognizing the transformative power of data in retail. We offer our clients cutting-edge tools to attract attention from a fast-growing segment within the Health & Wellness industry, the values-based consumer. Nearly half of shoppers prioritize products that emphasize wellness, social responsibility, and sustainable practices. SPINS retail consumer insights, analytics, and consulting services give our clients a competitive advantage to increase their share of this growing market. Our data is the most comprehensive and accurate in the industry, allowing clients to power AI models and machine learning algorithms that help them better understand and meet their customers' needs. At SPINS, behind all of our impressive data is our real differentiator, our people. We pride ourselves on our collaborative, flexible, and communicative culture that puts people at the center of everything we do.

Corporate Counsel

The SPINS in-house legal team manages all legal items related to our business, from contracting to litigation to compliance with laws. We work with all areas of the business and get a good view of how all aspects of SPINS operate. Our team focuses primarily on supporting our sales and retail teams in negotiating contracts with our clients and retailers, while also supporting our legal entities, intellectual property, insurance, real estate, and M&A. Due to growth, our team will also support strategic initiatives, new products, data privacy and security, litigation, and other high-impact, long-term projects.

SPINS is adding a Corporate Counsel to the team. The Corporate Counsel is an integral part of SPINS' legal team and a trusted business partner. This individual will be part of a three-lawyer team that acts as counsel to management and handles a variety of legal matters. The Corporate Counsel provides day-to-day advice and guidance to help each business segment meet its objectives through a deep understanding of the business, knowledge of applicable laws and regulations, and sound judgment and analytical skills. This role offers direct, hands-on exposure to the full spectrum of in-house legal practice, including intellectual property, privacy, employment law, real estate, insurance, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate law.

Work Arrangement This is a hybrid role. Team members are expected to work in the Chicago office a minimum of three days per week.

What You’ll Do

We value strong writing and interpersonal skills, the ability to set priorities and adapt to changes, meet deadlines, and lead multiple projects. Our attorneys benefit from a culture of teamwork, integrity, and respect, providing a comfortable team environment filled with energetic and knowledgeable professionals. The successful candidate will be an effective advocate with excellent writing skills who is prepared for more hands-on experience.

• Take primary accountability for advising sales and retailer recruiting, which includes negotiating contracts as well as designing and drafting of form commercial, data licensing, SaaS, and non-disclosure agreements
• Proactively identify legal risks within the business and initiate practical solutions to mitigate those risks
• Identify process improvements to effectively mitigate and manage legal business risks, reduce outside legal costs, improve quality of service, and ensure compliance with SPINS’ legal requirements
• Own corporate administration of our various legal entities
• Keep abreast of legal and regulatory developments impacting the business and provide training, communication, and advice to management and coworkers regarding such developments
• Anticipate, counsel, and manage disputes
• Provide legal guidance on diverse regulatory and compliance matters
• Actively support and manage policy development and implementation
• Assist in the management of intellectual property matters
• Assist with mergers and acquisitions activity
• Support drafting and negotiation of strategic agreements
• Serve as a legal-business advisor to help define the structure of complex contracts
• Assist SPINS’ General Counsel with regard to compliance and litigation matters
• Lead special projects and other matters as needed to assist the General Counsel

Other Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and guidance to help the business meet its objectives through a deep understanding of each business segment and the application of laws/regulations to those segments
• Establish rapport and build positive working relationships with business unit management and coworkers at all levels to ensure collaboration
• Provide a broad array of legal advice to all business segments, including support in a variety of compliance matters
• Collaborate with and advise various internal clients and departments, such as Finance, Sales, Marketing, and HR

What You’ll Bring

• 1-3 years of significant legal experience within a corporation or law firm
• Licensed to practice law in Illinois
• Corporate, commercial, and compliance legal experience required
• Partners effectively with business clients across a wide array of matters, balancing strategic and tactical priorities
• Works autonomously, spots issues quickly, and delivers practical, business-focused counsel
• Resolves complex legal issues pragmatically and articulates creative or complex business concepts clearly in writing
• Manages competing priorities effectively in a fast-moving commercial environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft and revise efficient and clear legal provisions, clearly and concisely articulate complex legal concepts to non-lawyers, and to interact with stakeholders of all levels, including senior management
• Detail-oriented, well-organized, and able to manage time efficiently
• Strong interpersonal skills; a team player able to deal effectively with individuals at all levels and across business units
• Ability to deliver well-organized, clear presentations in groups and in one-on-one meetings
• Prior experience maintaining discretion and confidentiality
• Ability to communicate and work effectively within the legal department and across business units.

SPINS offers competitive compensation commensurate with experience, meaningful exposure to strategic transactions and complex data licensing matters, and a direct path to expanded legal leadership responsibilities.

And we give bonus points for:

• Data licensing experience a plus.
• SaaS contract experience a plus.
• Data privacy experience, including familiarity with CCPA, GDPR, or state-level privacy frameworks, is a plus.

Hiring Range: $110k/yr - $140k/yr + Bonus Eligible

Note: Applicants must be authorized to work for any US employer. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

#LI-SB1 #LI-Hybrid

What SPINS Offers

We have enjoyed tremendous growth over the years and, as a leader in a fast-growing industry, we have no plans to slow down! While all that growth brings excitement, it is also an opportunity for SPINS to show it values the health and wellness of its team members.

• We embrace hybrid work options so that you have the flexibility to create a work/life balance that actually works!
• Each employee is allotted paid time to use to volunteer with an organization of their choice and charitable donations are matched.
• Semi-annual company-wide employee survey that is used to shape company programs, perks, and culture.

The SPINS Way

• Direct – We communicate with clarity, honesty and respect in all situations and embrace opportunities to provide solution-oriented feedback.
• Determined – We are committed to overcoming all obstacles to achieve results. We adapt to change, seek opportunities to learn and rapidly translate that learning into action.
• Passionate – We go above and beyond to help our partners achieve their goals. We challenge assumptions and are comfortable forging new paths.
• Collaborative – We leave our egos at the door, believing that working together we will produce an outcome that’s greater than each individual contribution.

For details about the information SPINS’s collects about our applicants and how we use it, please see the SPINS Privacy Policy here