SEC & Corporate Governance Attorney

Cerence Inc.$168K — $252K *
US-AnywhereRemote in United States
Legal & Accounting
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
  • Active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
  • 7-10 years of relevant experience in public company securities law, SEC reporting, corporate governance, and capital markets.
  • Experience at a major law firm, publicly traded company, or both.
  • Deep understanding of key securities laws and corporate governance best practices.

Responsibilities

  • Lead legal review and preparation of various SEC filings and disclosures.
  • Advise on securities law requirements under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
  • Provide guidance on insider trading regulations and public company reporting obligations.
  • Monitor regulatory developments and assess business implications.
  • Advise management and the Board on governance requirements and best practices.
  • Prepare materials for Board and Committee meetings, including governance policies and charters.
  • Support mergers and acquisitions, financing transactions, and capital markets activities.

Benefits

  • Annual bonus opportunity.
  • Insurance coverage (medical, dental, vision, life, and disability).
  • Paid time off and holidays.
  • Company contribution to the RRSP.
  • Equity awards for certain positions and levels.
  • Remote and/or hybrid work available based on position.
Full Job Description
A Moving Experience.

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced SEC & Corporate Governance Attorney to serve as a key member of the Legal team supporting a publicly traded company. This individual will lead and advise on U.S. securities law compliance, SEC reporting and disclosure obligations, corporate governance matters, insider trading compliance, executive compensation disclosures, and Board of Directors activities.

The successful candidate will partner closely with Executive Leadership, Finance, Investor Relations, Human Resources, Internal Audit, and the Board of Directors to ensure compliance with applicable securities laws and governance requirements while supporting strategic business initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

SEC Reporting & Securities Compliance

  • Lead legal review and preparation of SEC filings, including Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, Proxy Statements (DEF 14A), Section 16 filings, and other required disclosures.
  • Advise on securities law requirements under the Securities Act of 1933 and Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
  • Provide legal guidance regarding Regulation FD, insider trading regulations, disclosure controls, and public company reporting obligations.
  • Monitor regulatory developments, SEC rulemaking, and emerging disclosure requirements and assess business implications.
  • Support earnings releases, investor presentations, and public disclosure activities.

Corporate Governance

  • Advise management and the Board regarding public company governance requirements and best practices.
  • Prepare and review Board and Committee materials, resolutions, minutes, governance policies, and charters.
  • Maintain corporate governance framework, including governance guidelines and committee structures.
  • Support annual shareholder meeting planning and proxy processes.
  • Assist with shareholder engagement activities and responses to governance inquiries.

Executive Compensation & Equity Programs

  • Partner with Human Resources and Compensation teams regarding executive compensation disclosures.
  • Support equity compensation plans, equity grants, and related securities law compliance.
  • Review and advise on CD&A and executive compensation disclosures included in proxy statements.
  • Provide legal guidance regarding Say-on-Pay, equity plan proposals, and shareholder approval requirements.

Corporate Transactions & Strategic Initiatives

  • Support mergers and acquisitions, financing transactions, capital markets activities, and strategic investments.
  • Conduct legal due diligence and provide securities law guidance for corporate transactions.
  • Review and negotiate transaction-related disclosures and governance provisions.

Compliance & Risk Management

  • Administer compliance programs.
  • Develop and deliver training on securities law and governance matters.
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and regulatory risks.
  • Coordinate with external counsel, auditors, and regulatory authorities as needed.

Qualifications

Required

  • Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
  • Active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
  • 7-10 years of relevant legal experience in:
    • Public company securities law
    • SEC reporting and disclosure
    • Corporate governance
    • Capital markets and corporate transactions
  • Experience at a major law firm, publicly traded company, or combination of both.
  • Deep understanding of:
    • Securities Exchange Act of 1934
    • Securities Act of 1933
    • Regulation FD
    • Section 16 requirements
    • Nasdaq listing standards
    • Corporate governance best practices

Preferred

  • Experience supporting technology, software, AI, or multinational public companies.
  • Experience advising Boards of Directors and executive leadership teams.
  • Familiarity with executive compensation and equity compensation matters.
  • M&A and capital markets transaction experience.

Key Competencies

  • Strong business judgment and practical problem-solving skills
  • Exceptional legal drafting and written communication abilities
  • Executive presence and ability to influence senior stakeholders
  • Ability to assess legal risk while enabling business objectives
  • Strong project management and organizational skills
  • Ability to work independently in a fast-paced public company environment
  • High degree of integrity, discretion, and professionalism

What we offer

  • We offer a generous compensation and benefits package (in addition to the base salary), including:

  • Salary range $168,470.00 USD- $252,705.00USD Itis not typical for offers to be made at or near the top of the range. The actual salary will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors.

  • Annual bonus opportunity

  • Insurance coverage (medical, dental, vision, life, and disability)

  • Paid time off

  • Paid holidays

  • Company contribution to the RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan)

  • Equity awards for certain positions and levels

  • Remote and/or hybrid work available depending on the positionAll compensation and benefits are subject to the terms and conditions of the underlying plans or programs, as applicable, and may be amended, terminated, or replaced from time to time.

About Cerence Inc.

Cerence Inc. is a software company that specializes in voice recognition and natural language understanding technology. The company was spun off from Nuance Communications in 2019 and is headquartered in Newton, Massachusetts. Cerence's software is used in a variety of applications, including automotive infotainment systems, smart speakers, and virtual assistants. The company's clients include many of the world's leading automakers, as well as companies in the consumer electronics and mobile device industries. Cerence has received several awards for its technology, including the 2020 CES Innovation Award for its Cerence Drive platform.
Learn more about Cerence Inc.
Size
1,200 employees
Market Cap
$726.1 million
Industry
Net Income
$12.7 million
5 Year Trend
+6%
Revenue
$347.1 million

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