General Counsel, North America - (Denver, Colorado) (Denver, CO, US)

The General Counsel, North America will act as the primary legal advisor to the North American management team and mine sites.  The successful candidate must have significant experience in the natural resources industry and the ability to consistently manage a large number and wide variety of legal issues. While the primary role of this position will be to advise on matters arising in North America, there is a potential for the role to be expand into matters arising in South America.  Because of this, fluency in Spanish is a plus, though not a requirement for the position. 

This position will be located in Denver, Colorado. 

Essential Functions:

-Organizing, directing and overseeing the North America region’s legal activities, including legal support in connection with land, environmental, permitting, employment, health and safety matters.

-Negotiating, writing and reviewing a wide variety of agreements, including joint venture agreements, project agreements, confidentiality agreements, and other contracts needed to support the company’s mining and exploration projects. 

-Providing practical and sound legal advice and counsel to the North American management team and mine management teams.

-Managing the North America land department. 

-Managing and evaluating outside counsel and developing and implementing a disciplined and consistent process for the use of outside counsel.

--Developing, implementing and overseeing key governance initiatives.

--Providing legal oversight of the permitting process for various North American projects.

-Providing proactive counsel and support to ensure Company compliance with federal and state laws and regulations.

-Managing and directing litigation.

-Estimated travel based on current job requirements is (30%).

-Possesses good communication and interpersonal skills.

-Compliance with all company policies and procedures including, but not limited to safety, environmental, confidentiality and code of conduct.

-Consistently exercises sound discretion and judgment in job performance.

-Possession of a valid driver’s license issued by state agency, or must be able to pass driver competency course and exam.

-J.D. degree from an accredited U.S. law school.

-At least 10 years of related work experience, preferably in the mining industry.

-Ability to act as in house counsel in the state of Colorado.

-Excellent knowledge of U.S. law.

-Experience in environmental law, employment law, mining law and dispute resolution. 

-General understanding of mining operations, as well as limited understanding of milling and -maintenance operations.

-Strong verbal, written, analytical and persuasive skills and the ability to interact effectively with all levels of employees and management.

-Ability to work independently and also as a member of the management team.

-Demonstrates strong administrative, organizational and technical writing skills