Position Overview
Alvest is seeking a Regional Legal Manager - Americas to oversee all legal matters related to commercial contracts across the Americas (North, Central and South America).
Based in Chicago, IL this role combines operational contract management with a broader regional legal coordination function. The position requires regular interaction with business units across the Americas and includes travel to Alvest's various entities.
Beyond contract drafting and negotiation, the Legal Manager will act as the primary legal point of contact for the region, ensuring alignment with Group standards and supporting business growth while mitigating legal and compliance risks. The role will specifically cover Alvest's core business activities: the manufacture, distribution, sale and leasing of all types of Ground Support Equipment (GSE), maintenance services, infrastructure projects, and partnerships
Key Responsibilities
- Commercial Contract Management and liability claim
- Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements, including
- Sales and distribution agreements
- Leasing agreements
- Partnership and collaboration agreements
- Maintenance and service contracts
- Infrastructure and project-related agreements
- Bid and tender documentation
- Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, as well as relevant international regulations
- Provide practical, business-oriented legal advice while protecting the Group's interest, including appropriate limitation of liability clauses, insurance-related contractual provisions, etc.
- Manage the full contract lifecycle:
- Monitor contracts approaching their end date and recommend renewal options
- Oversee close-out or termination processes, ensuring all contractual obligations are met
- Maintain and update contract records and documentation
- Implement and maintain best practice processes and policies for contract management
- Product Liability & Claim
- Support and coordinate the management of product liability claims across the Americas
- Work closely with operations, quality, and insurance teams to assess exposure and mitigation strategies
- Coordinate with external counsel in case of disputes or litigation
- Advise the business on risk allocation and liability limitations in contracts
- Corporate Governance & Regional Coordination
- Act as the primary legal point of contact for all Americas-based entities
- Support corporate governance matters across the region, including M&A project, organization and preparation of Board and Shareholders' meetings, drafting of resolutions, minutes, and corporate documentation
- Ensuring compliance with local corporate law requirements
- Serve as a key liaison between the Americas region and Headquarters in Paris, ensuring:
- Alignment with Group governance standards
- Consistent implementation of corporate policies
- Timely reporting and escalation of key legal matters
- Maintain and update corporate records for regional entities
- Coordinate and manage external counsel when required
Qualifications
- Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent legal degree, admitted to practice in a US jurisdiction
- 5-7 years of experience in corporate and commercial contract law
- Strong expertise in sales, partnership, maintenance, and infrastructure contracts
- Experience with public tenders and procurement contracts is a plus
- Excellent negotiation and drafting skills
- Fluent in English; French language skills are a plus
Key Competencies
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills - Risk assessment capabilities
- Pragmatic, solution-oriented mindset
- Excellent negotiation and drafting skills
- Ability to work independently while remaining closely aligned with a France-based Group Legal Department
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
