Director, Legal Counsel

Director, Legal Counsel

FormFactor, Inc.

Livermore, CA

In a world driven by the increased demand of technology, semiconductor manufacturers require a trusted partner to pioneer the frontiers of advanced integrated circuits (ICs). FormFactor, Inc is the world's leading supplier of semiconductor test and measurement products that power electronic systems used in computing, consumer-technology, automotive, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other applications. Our cutting-edge solutions are the driving force behind the testing of ICs that power electronic systems across computing, consumer technology, automotive, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and myriad other applications.

As a leading player in the semiconductor industry, FormFactor actively seeks out individuals who are not just employees, but passionate contributors eager to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape. At FormFactor, we are not just shaping the future of semiconductors; we are rewriting the narrative of innovation itself.

Our commitment extends beyond the technical realm to the very fabric of our culture. Rooted in our core values-Focus on the Customer, Ownership & Accountability, Respectfully & Effectively Communicate, and Motivate & Develop People-we foster an environment where diverse perspectives are not only welcomed but celebrated. Join us in experiencing the exhilaration of collaborating with a dynamic team, pushing the boundaries of what's possible, and contributing to a workplace where your voice is not just heard but valued and empowered. Become an integral part of our journey as we collaboratively Form Our Future Together, setting the stage for a new era in semiconductor excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Reporting to our Chief Legal Officer, the Director, Legal Counsel will be responsible for the following key areas:

Leading the team

• Lead and scale a team of legal professionals to support expanding global sales, operations, and partnership organizations.

• Define legal strategy and translate to execution through standard work within the legal team and across the business.

• Standardize best practices and drive consistency within the team for relationship management, legal processes, trainings and documentation.

• Manage relationships with external legal counsel and other in-house attorneys, including overseeing their work and managing legal expenses effectively.

• Be accountable to ensuring the law department's continuous high performance through internal SLAs and KPIs while leveraging and implementing world class systems and processes.

Strategic Business Partner

• Establish leadership presence across the network as the subject matter expert and advise internal clients regarding legal issues, including identifying, managing, and communicating risks and opportunities in commercial transactions.

• Partner with key leaders to include C-Suite on their strategy, and proactively advise on any foreseeable, material legal risks.

• Advise on potential impacts of new and proposed relevant law developments, industry trends, and best practices in the markets in which FormFactor operates.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with FormFactor business teams to ensure agreements are consistent with internal corporate policies and processes.

Commercial

• Shape business and legal terms, deal structures and improve transaction processes and practices to support innovation, achieve better outcomes and enhance transaction velocity while minimizing risk exposure.

• Create and manage education, information, and training programs for the sales and success organization related to negotiation best practices and relevant legal issues/business forms

• Draft, review and negotiate complex commercial agreements.

• Maintain and continuously refine forms, playbooks, guidelines, FAQs, policies, processes, procedures, and other tools essential to the efficient and effective functioning of the legal function.

Strategy, Dispute Resolution and Governance

• Lead complex corporate transactions including legal aspects of M&A, joint ventures, and partnerships. Conduct due diligence and integrate legal compliance post-merger or partnership.

• Manage litigation risks, handle legal disputes related to contracts, IP, and regulatory compliance.

• Oversee employment law matters including contracts, employee relations, and compliance with labor laws, particularly as they relate to technology employees.

• Ensure the timely satisfaction of SEC and Nasdaq compliance and reporting obligations, including proxy statements, periodic reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, preparation of S-1, S-3 and S-4 registration statements, 8-K reports, and Section 16 officer reporting.

• Provide ownership for corporate governance and board matters, including preparation of board materials, minutes, resolutions, unanimous written consents and updates to corporate charters and policies.

Attributes for a Successful Candidate

• Minimum of 10 years of experience preferably at an AmLaw 100 firm or equivalent corporate law department.

• J.D. from a top tier law school; Active bar license in the US and in good standing.

• Ethical: Has high personal standards of excellence and ethics, as well as the ability to act with discretion and strict confidentiality.

• Leadership: People leadership experience in building, running and/or developing high-performing teams. Strong team, business, and project management skills. Also has a proven track record of being a team player who is willing to pitch in anytime, helping everyone on the team with all tasks, big and small.

• Emotional Intelligence: Has a healthy awareness of yourself, others, and situations. Ability to effectively empathize, influence, lead, collaborate with and motivate others at all levels to reach goals, overcome challenges and defuse conflict.

• Growth mindset: Brings a desire to learn about the business, the teams with whom we partner, the customers we support and an ability to learn rapidly, along with a resiliency and comfort serving as a trusted business partner to those teams and customers.

• Experience: Demonstrated experience negotiating complex commercial transactions. Also has a solid working knowledge of business models, relative bargaining power, sales motion, global commercial negotiation practices and revenue recognition standards, and has the ability to quickly and accurately recognize areas of risk/opportunity. Well-organized and able to work on tight timelines while handling multiple projects.

• Communication Skills: Ability to provide practical legal advice to business personnel at all levels of an organization understanding and respecting cultural differences; effectively present ideas and has exceptional negotiation, client-counseling skills and interpersonal skills.

• Innovation: Bring experience and ideas to a fast-growing business who can help streamline, build efficiency and allow for steady growth. In addition, this candidate should be a creative thinker with the ability to solve complex problems while balancing legal risks with business needs.

• Resilience: Capability to handle high-pressure situations and make sound decisions under stress. Brings a demonstrated ability to change directions (whether it be a change in agreement terms or a change in the entire business model) and re-prioritizes work to meet the new proposed outcome.

• Kindness: Brings compassion, sensitivity, dignity and a positive attitude to work.

The pay range for this role in Livermore, CA is between $213,800 and $280,560. The pay range may differ in other locations. FormFactor maintains broad salary ranges for its roles in order to account for variations in education, training, skills, relevant work experience, business needs and market demands. Candidates are typically placed into the range based on the preceding factors as well as internal peer equity. Benefits offered for this role include medical, dental, vision, EAP, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, flexible spending and savings accounts, 401(k), ESPP and paid time off.

FormFactor is committed to providing a work environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and are committed to compliance with all Federal, State, and local laws that prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, sex (including breastfeeding and related conditions), gender (including gender identity and gender expression), national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, registered domestic partner status, medical condition, military or veteran status, genetic characteristics or information, or any other legally protected characteristic. These protections extend to all employment and management decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations, and all other terms and conditions of employment.