Sr Legal Counsel

Genus plc has an excitign opportunity! We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Legal Counsel to join our global legal team, reporting directly to the Assistant General Counsel (AGC) for ABS Global, Inc. (ABS). This role is based in DeForest, WI at the ABS Global headquarters. As Senior Legal Counsel, you will play a key role in supporting the AGC across a broad range of legal matters for ABS. You will provide timely, pragmatic, and business-oriented legal counsel to senior stakeholders, regional commercial teams, and cross-functional partners. This position involves advising on complex legal issues, reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts, implementing global legal strategies, policies, and processes, and ensuring the alignment of legal activities with ABS’s strategic goals. 

This role requires a high level of professionalism, strategic thinking, and sound judgment, along with the ability to lead initiatives and influence outcomes in a fast-paced, global business environment.

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including customer, distribution, R&D, collaboration, and procurement contracts.
• Advise the business on legal risk and compliance issues and work closely with the AGC and regional commercial leads to ensure legal risks are appropriately identified, assessed, and mitigated.
• Provide proactive and strategic legal advice to internal stakeholders, enabling the business to achieve its goals while managing legal and regulatory risk.
• Advise on global data protection laws (e.g., GDPR) relevant to research data, customer data, and operational compliance.
• Work closely with IP counsel to protect proprietary genetics and biotechnology assets, including patents, trademarks, and trade secrets.
• Provide legal due diligence and support for M&A and litigation.
• Support the development, rollout, and enforcement of global legal policies, procedures, and best practices across the organization.
• Collaborate closely with business leaders, regional teams, and other functional areas to ensure legal guidance aligns with operational and strategic objectives.
• Assist in the implementation of global legal strategies set by the General Counsel, ensuring consistency and alignment across ABS regions.
• Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and internal standards, and support investigations, audits, and responses to regulatory inquiries.
• Act as a trusted advisor and demonstrate leadership in driving a strong culture of compliance, integrity, and business enablement.

• Qualified lawyer with 7+ years of post-qualification experience in a reputable law firm and/or in-house legal department, ideally in a multinational or regulated industry.
• Strong experience in commercial contract negotiation and drafting.
• Deep understanding of legal risk management, regulatory compliance, and international business operations.
• Proven ability to handle complex legal issues with confidence and pragmatism.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and build strong relationships across a diverse, global stakeholder base.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and deliver results under pressure.
• Experience implementing global legal policies and managing cross-jurisdictional legal matters is highly desirable.

Genus is an agricultural biotechnology pioneer. We are a global FTSE 250 company, headquartered in the UK, and listed on the London Stock Exchange.  Genus PLC has a presence in over 70 countries and a global workforce of over 3,000 employees and growing.  We are a worldwide leader in porcine and bovine animal genetics, partnering with farmers to transform how we nourish the world – a mission that is important to a sustainable future. 

ABS Global is a Genus company and is the world-leading provider of bovine genetics, reproductive services, technologies and udder care products.  Marketing in more than 70 countries around the globe, ABS has been at the forefront of animal genetics and technology since its founding in 1941.  We are uniquely positioned as a global player with a dedicated research and development function and an international distribution network.  We breed and distribute the genes of the world’s best bulls, scientifically selecting livestock whose offspring is designed to increase the profitability of our customers who are some of the world’s biggest farmers and food producers. IntelliGen Technologies is the technology within ABS that develops sexed bovine genetics that helps customers maximize their profitability and reach their end goals in a fast and efficient manner.

Our vision is clear: Pioneering animal genetic improvement to sustainably nourish the world.

At Genus, we offer a competitive salary. Benefits include health, dental, vision, FSA/HSA, long and short-term disability, 401K, tuition reimbursement, paid holidays and ETO (earned time off). 

Genus is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with anti-discrimination law, it is the purpose of this policy to effectuate these principles and mandates. Genus prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Genus conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations. 

Genus plc will never ask you to provide fees or payment for computer, software, or other equipment or supplies during the recruitment and/or onboarding process. If you have any questions about your individual application, please contact the Genus Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@genusplc.com.