Legal Director North America - Princeton, NJ or New York, NY

Legal Director, North America

Location: Princeton, NJ or New York, NY

At dsm‑firmenich, we bring progress to life. We combine groundbreaking science with passion and purpose to create solutions that nourish, protect, and improve the health and well‑being of people and the planet. We’re building our dedicated and passionate Legal team in North America, hiring for Legal Director. You will play a pivotal role in enabling our business to operate with integrity, agility, and confidence. This is an opportunity to join a high‑energy, collaborative legal function where your expertise will directly support innovation across our diverse portfolio.

We are seeking a versatile, business‑minded corporate lawyer with strong experience across both private practice and in‑house environments. You are a trusted advisor to leaders across the region, operating as a true generalist and helping shape the legal foundation that supports our growth. This role offers significant autonomy, visibility, and the potential to grow into a senior leadership position and reports to VP, Legal Americas & Regional President NA.

If you’re energized by the idea of applying your legal expertise to help shape the future of a global science‑based company—and you thrive in an environment where no two days look the same—read on.

Your Key Responsibilities

Draft, negotiate, and review a broad range of commercial agreements, including vendor, supply, purchasing, development, licensing, and distribution contracts. Provide clear, practical legal advice to business stakeholders across multiple functions.
Partner with cross‑functional teams to proactively identify legal risks and support strategic initiatives.

Advise HR teams on employee relations, wage & hour matters, compliance, and investigations. Support the development and review of HR policies, guidelines, training, and programs.

Support the management of complex litigation, including product liability, employment, and commercial disputes. Oversee and coordinate outside counsel, ensuring effective strategy and cost management.

Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies. Contribute to the development of legal frameworks, compliance programs, and risk‑management protocols.

Assist with M&A, divestments, joint ventures, and strategic alliances.
Provide legal support to tax, real estate, treasury, customs, regulatory, safety, environmental, security, and IP teams.

The salary scale provided reflects the pay range dsm-firmenich expects to pay the successful candidate for the position. Individual pay offered will be based on the applicant’s job-related skills, experience, relevant education or training, and primary work location. Salary $180,800-$240,000.

In addition to base salary, we also offer a comprehensive total rewards package, inclusive of annual incentive pay, a retirement savings plan, health care coverage, paid time off, recognition programs and a broad range of other benefits. All benefits and incentives are subject to eligibility requirements.

We Bring

A purpose‑driven, performance‑oriented culture that values curiosity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
The opportunity to work across a diverse, global organization committed to sustainability and innovation.
A highly engaged legal team that supports each other, celebrates wins, and tackles challenges together.
A platform for professional growth, including the potential to advance into senior leadership.

You Bring

Minimum 10 years of experience at a law firm exposed to multiple practice areas and in‑house experience within a multinational or complex business environment; International work experience is a plus.
Strong commercial contracting and business advisory experience along with experience managing disputes and litigation.
Familiarity with labor & employment laws and practices and experience supporting compliance, risk management, and internal investigations. Experience presenting to and advising business leaders on dispute strategy.
Exposure to M&A, environmental matters, trade issues, or government affairs is a plus.
Demonstrated ability to drive results independently and within cross‑functional teams and strong business acumen with the ability to translate legal advice into practical solutions while managing multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited U.S. law school and admission to practice law in New Jersey or New York or eligibility for in-house counsel registration

Our recruitment process

Interested in this position? Please apply online by uploading your resume in English via our career portal by April 22, 2026.

Inclusion, belonging and equal opportunity statement

At dsm-firmenich, we believe being a force for good starts with the way we treat each other. When people feel supported, included, and free to be themselves, they do their best work – and that’s exactly the kind of culture we’re building. A place where opportunity is truly equal, authenticity is celebrated, and everyone has the chance to grow, contribute, and feel they belong.

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we’re serious about making our hiring process as fair and inclusive as possible. From inclusive language and diverse interview panels to thoughtful sourcing, we’re committed to reflecting the world we serve.

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds — no matter your gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or anything else that makes you, you.

And if you have a disability or need any support through the application process, we’re here to help – just let us know what you need, and we’ll do everything we can to make it work.

About dsm-firmenich

As innovators in nutrition, health, and beauty, dsm-firmenich reinvents, manufactures, and combines vital nutrients, flavors, and fragrances for the world’s growing population to thrive. With our comprehensive range of solutions, with natural and renewable ingredients and renowned science and technology capabilities, we work to create what is essential for life, desirable for consumers, and more sustainable for the planet. dsm-firmenich is a Swiss-Dutch company, listed on the Euronext Amsterdam, with operations in almost 60 countries and revenues of more than €12 billion. With a diverse, worldwide team of nearly 30,000 employees, we bring progress to life™ every day, everywhere, for billions of people.

www.dsm-firmenich.com

Agency Note

Please note this is a direct search led by dsm-firmenich. We only accept applications from candidates, not from agencies nor subject to agency’s fees, percentages or similar.