Senior Vice President of Legal – Deputy General Counsel

Golden Pet Brands

Senior Vice President or Legal & Deputy General Counsel responsible for legal strategy at Golden Pet Brands. Leading corporate governance, risk management, and compliance across the organization.

Posted 7/27/2026full-timeLos Angeles • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $320,000 - $400,000 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Cyber Security

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

The Senior Vice President or Legal & Deputy General Counsel (SVP & DGC) will be responsible for leading the company's legal strategy and management in alignment with business objectives.
Partner with the CEO, CFO and Board of Directors on governance matters, risk oversight, and strategic initiatives.
Develop and execute a comprehensive legal strategy aligned with long-term business goals and investor expectations.
Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on corporate structure, M&A, commercial transactions, and enterprise risk.
Build and lead a high-performing legal function that operates as a true business partner across the organization.
Design and maintain a robust corporate governance framework, including Board and committee charters, policies, and reporting cadences.
Oversee compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulatory requirements.
Partner with Finance and the Board on governance disclosures, reporting obligations, and fiduciary responsibilities.
Implement and manage internal controls related to legal and compliance processes in alignment with best-in-class governance standards.
Advise on equity plan administration, capitalization table matters, and investor-related agreements.
Lead all M&A activity, including due diligence, structuring, negotiation, and integration.
Oversee commercial contracting across procurement, sales, licensing, co-manufacturing, and distribution.
Manage and optimize the company's use of outside counsel to ensure cost-effective, high-quality legal support.
Provide legal support for financing transactions, including debt, equity, and strategic partnerships.
Oversee the company's intellectual property portfolio, including trademarks, trade secrets, and licensing agreements.
Manage all litigation, regulatory proceedings, and dispute resolution strategy.
Ensure compliance with food safety, labeling, and pet product regulatory requirements (FDA, AAFCO, FTC, etc.).
Monitor legislative and regulatory developments affecting the business and proactively advise leadership.
Develop and lead an enterprise-wide risk management framework.
Own the company's Code of Conduct, ethics hotline, and compliance training programs.
Partner with HR and Finance on employment matters, executive compensation, and benefits-related legal issues.
Lead data privacy and cybersecurity legal strategy, including compliance with CCPA and applicable data protection laws.

Requirements

What you’ll need

15+ years of legal experience, with 5+ in-house at a corporate legal function in a public company
Proven public company track record in corporate governance, M&A, SEC, and commercial legal areas, including advertising, regulatory (FDA/FTC), ERISA/benefits, and intellectual property
Corporate legal experience with organizations having complex corporate/ownership structures
Deep expertise in SEC law, corporate governance, commercial transactions, and Board/C-suite engagement is particularly critical for this role
Demonstrated success in building, managing, and scaling legal operations in a high-growth company
Exceptional executive presence, communication, and stakeholder management skills
Prior experience as General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel in a public company
Required Education: U.S. law degree (JD)
Preferred Education: Top U.S. law school
Preferred Experience: Deep in SEC law and associated public company governance including managing and planning public Board meetings and associated governance with management.
Preferred Licensure/Certification: California Bar
Required Licensure/Certification: Admitted to the California Bar.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Comprehensive healthcare coverage – We cover 100% of premiums for medical, dental, and vision plans for employee-only plans.
Annual bonus
We match up to 3.5% of your 401k contributions, ensuring your retirement savings grow alongside your career.
6 paid sick and mental health days, an Employee Assistance Program, free weekly yoga and meditation classes, and additional mental health benefits, because we take a holistic approach to your well-being.
Invest in your future with our Employee Stock Ownership Plan, where company contributions fund your retirement plan with company stock.
Reimbursements for a portion of personal cell phone and internet usage for eligible employees.
Professional development opportunities with mentorship, continuous learning programs, and performance-based pay increases, empowering you to progress and excel in your career.
Through our charity sponsorships, you can make a positive impact on communities worldwide. We’ve donated over $9 million to date.
Potential for quarterly KPI bonuses.