Director, Corporate Counsel, Corporate Securities and Governance

Make a meaningful difference to patients around the world. Our Legal team works to protect our patients, team members, and innovations with the utmost diligence and care. You’ll have the opportunity to work with a dedicated team and build lasting partnerships with stakeholders across our global organization. Your legal knowledge and contributions will help us ensure that we are supporting the needs and interests of the patients we serve.

Innovation starts from the heart. Edwards Lifesciences is the leading global structural heart innovation company, driven by a passion to improve patient lives. With millions of patients served in over 100 countries, each team makes a meaningful contribution by improving patient outcomes and discovering lasting solutions for unmet patient needs. Our Director, Corporate Counsel, Corporate Securities and Governance is a unique career opportunity that could be your next step towards an exciting future.

This role can be a fully onsite or hybrid role based at our Irvine, California headquarters.

How you’ll make an impact:

The Director, Corporate Counsel supports the Corporate Secretary, providing counsel to the Board and actively managing logistics to ensure efficient and effective Board governance. 

• Ensures that directors are enabled to meet their legal, compliance, and fiduciary obligations
• Assists in planning and coordinating all details for Board and Committee calendar and meetings, from agenda design to logistics and expenses
• Manages communications and coordinate advance reading materials to prepare members and guests
• Prepares advance reading materials for Board members related to corporate governance and executive compensation
• Drafts and maintains key corporate documents, minutes and records
• Supports the management of director orientation and transition of directors on and off the Board
• Supports projects assigned by Chairman of the Board, including providing supporting materials that permit the effective conduct of the meeting
• Provides legal advice on corporate governance matters
  • Monitors outside developments
  • Manages relationships with outside counsel and proxy advisors as needed
  • Ensures compliance with, and maintenance of, corporate governance guidelines and Board Committee charters
• Provides legal advice on SEC and NYSE compliance matters
  • Drafts agreements and documentation for governance, internal policies and executive compensation matters
  • Manages insider trading program and prepares and files Section 16 reports (I.e., reporting of Forms 3, 4 and 5)
  • Keeps current on the filing and listing requirements for equity compensation programs, stock splits, stock transactions
  • Ensures the accurate and timely filing of annual, quarterly and current reports filed with the SEC and is primarily responsible for preparing those filings, working closely with Corporate Accounting 
  • Coordinates with stock transfer agent
• Supports the Corporate Secretary in preparation for and during the annual meeting of stockholders
  • Responsible for preparing the proxy statement, working closely with the Corporate Secretary and Human Resources
  • Coordinates meeting logistics and content, working closely with Investor Relations
• Manages governance requirements for approximately 70 corporate subsidiaries in 36 countries
• Indirectly manages professional staff of non-attorneys
• Trusted to assist in representing the company and its Board professionally, thoughtfully, and with the highest standards of integrity

What you’ll need (Required):

• Juris Doctor from ABA Accredited law school and 8 years practicing law at a reputable private law firm or in-house legal department, or equivalent combination of practicing law and other related experience
• Either admitted to California Bar or eligible to be a Registered In-House Counsel in California.

What else we look for (Preferred):

• 6+ years of combined private practice and/or in-house experience in securities compliance, corporate governance and corporate secretarial matters; prior in-house experience strongly preferred
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of state and federal laws, NYSE and SEC regulations, and other standards with respect to public company reporting requirements
• 3+ years of experience handling the preparation and distribution of Annual Meeting, Board of Directors and committee meeting materials
• 3+ years of experience with filing 10-K, 10-Q, proxy statement, and other SEC required filings accurately and on time
• Excellent presentation and communication skills demonstrating executive presence
• Comfortable and confident counseling, interacting and, when necessary, respectfully pushing back, with C-level executives and Directors
• Excellent analytical, detail-oriented, organized and information seeking skills
• Excellent organization and time management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal relationship skills including negotiating and relationship management skills with ability to drive achievement of objectives
• Recognized as an expert within field and within the organization, both within and beyond own function
• Expert understanding of related aspects of legal processes and/or systems

Aligning our overall business objectives with performance, we offer competitive salaries, performance-based incentives, and a wide variety of benefits programs to address the diverse individual needs of our employees and their families.

For California (CA), the base pay range for this position is $174,000 - $246,000 (highly experienced).

The pay for the successful candidate will depend on various factors (e.g., qualifications, education, prior experience). Applications will be accepted while this position is posted on our Careers website.  

#LI-Hybrid

Edwards is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer including protected Veterans and individuals with disabilities.

COVID Vaccination Requirement

Edwards is committed to protecting our vulnerable patients and the healthcare providers who are treating them. As such, all patient-facing and in-hospital positions require COVID-19 vaccination. If hired into a covered role, as a condition of employment, you will be required to submit proof that you have been vaccinated for COVID-19, unless you request and are granted a medical or religious accommodation for exemption from the vaccination requirement. This vaccination requirement does not apply in locations where it is prohibited by law to impose vaccination.