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Director & Associate General Counsel

Alameda, CA

About Us

We are Sila, a next-generation battery materials company. Our mission is to power the world’s transition to clean energy. To create this future, our team is building a better lithium-ion battery from the inside out today. We engineer and manufacture ground-breaking battery materials that significantly increase the energy density of batteries, while reducing their size and weight. The result? Smaller more powerful batteries that can unlock innovation in consumer devices and accelerate the mass adoption of electric cars to eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels. We're tackling one of the biggest challenges of our time every day, and together we're redefining what's possible. Are you ready to be a part of a team committed to changing the world?

Who You Are

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Director, Associate General Counsel to join our legal team. This is a California-based, on-site role in Alameda, CA. This critical role will be the primary legal advisor supporting our corporate and HR functions, providing expert counsel on a wide range of corporate and employment law matters. Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel, the successful candidate will play a key role in shaping our legal strategy and ensuring the company's legal compliance and strategic objectives are met. This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned corporate lawyer with public company experience to make a significant impact in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as the primary legal advisor on a broad spectrum of corporate and employment law matters, including:
  • Lead legal support for the company's debt and equity financing transactions, including credit facilities, note and other debt arrangements, venture and growth equity financings, secondary transactions, and related capital-structure matters. Partner with Finance and outside counsel from term sheet through closing, and advise on ongoing financing and covenant compliance.
  • Oversee board and committee matters, including materials, resolutions, charters, and best practices. Lead creation, review, and maintenance of governance, ethics, and compliance policies and trainings. Support subsidiary governance and corporate records appropriate to the company's stage, including public-company readiness as applicable. Monitor changes in relevant laws and regulations and advise the business on impact.
  • Support securities and disclosure practices appropriate to the company's stage (including public-company readiness as applicable).
  • Support mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and other strategic transactions, including due diligence, transaction documents, and cross-functional coordination.
  • Manage subsidiary formation, maintenance, and compliance.
  • Advise on equity plan administration, stock option grants, and other equity-based compensation matters; support capitalization table integrity and related investor and stockholder corporate documentation.
  • Advise on employment law matters and workplace investigations, with primary focus on California and multi-state employment issues (including wage and hour and leave), and on adjacent matters as needed, including antitrust and competition, real estate leases, and tax. Support operations in Washington state as needed.
  • Proactively identify and assess legal risk and develop mitigation strategies related to corporate, employment, and related matters.
  • Work closely with internal teams and outside counsel to manage and protect the company's trademarks and trade secrets; perform conflicts checks and counseling/training for employees.
  • Manage and coordinate litigation matters, including pre-litigation disputes, resolution, discovery, and working with outside counsel.
  • Collaborate with People/HR, Finance, Treasury, and Operations on employment, financing, equity, and related corporate matters. Partner with cross-functional teams to establish processes and identify risks and opportunities in legal strategy.
  • Manage and oversee outside counsel, ensuring cost-effectiveness and high-quality representation.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

  • Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
  • Member in good standing of at least one state bar (admitted to practice in California preferred).
  • Minimum of 8 years of relevant legal experience. Experience in both a leading global law firm and an in-house legal department is required.
  • Public company operating experience required; experience spanning both pre-IPO and post-IPO environments strongly preferred.
  • Deep and practical experience with corporate governance, securities law, M&A, and debt and equity financing transactions (including credit agreements and equity financing documentation).
  • Proven ability to manage complex matters end-to-end, exercise sound business judgment, and manage outside counsel efficiently.
  • Experience in the technology or energy sector is highly desirable, with specific experience in battery technology a plus.
  • Exceptional communication, negotiation, drafting and presentation skills.
  • Excellent legal research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
  • Proven ability to work cross-functionally, deliver thoughtful results, and provide strategic legal advice to senior management and executive leadership.
  • Passion for a data-driven approach to building efficient processes and operations and experience and commitment to using project management platforms is required.  
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
  • Must be based in California and able to work on-site in Alameda, CA.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

  • Move long distances (such as from building to building) and be stationary for extended periods of time
  • Operate a computer and other office equipment, such as a laptop, copier/printer, etc in a fixed location
  • This position is on-site at Sila's Alameda, CA location.

The starting base pay for this role is between $255,000 and $290,000 at the time of posting. The actual base pay depends on many factors, such as education, experience, and skills. Base pay is only one part of Sila’s competitive Total Rewards package that can include benefits, perks, and equity.  The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

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Working at Sila

We believe that building a diverse team at Sila helps us amplify our individual talents. We are an equal opportunity employer and committed to creating an inclusive environment where good ideas are free to come from anyone. We are proud to celebrate diversity and all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, national origin, or any other status protected by law.

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