Vice President II Business Segment General Counsel
Acuity Inc. (NYSE: AYI) is a market-leading industrial technology company. We use technology to solve problems in spaces, light and more things to come. Through our two business segments, Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL) and Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS), we design, manufacture, and bring to market products and services that make a valuable difference in people’s lives.
We achieve growth through the development of innovative new products and services, including lighting, lighting controls, building management solutions, and an audio, video and control platform. We focus on customer outcomes and drive growth and productivity to increase market share and deliver superior returns. We look to aggressively deploy capital to grow the business and to enter attractive new verticals.
Acuity Inc. is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with operations across North America, Europe and Asia. The Company is powered by approximately 13,000 dedicated and talented associates. Visit us at www.acuityinc.com.
Job Summary
The Vice President, General Counsel – Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS) will report to the Senior Vice President & General Counsel of Acuity and serve as the chief legal executive for the AIS business segment. This individual will be a key member of the AIS leadership team and will provide proactive legal and strategic guidance across a complex global portfolio of technology and software products.
This role will drive legal strategy in support of product commercialization, market expansion, partnerships, M&A, and regulatory compliance. The GC AIS will collaborate closely with executive peers across AIS and with leaders in Acuity’s Law & Business Environment (LBE) function, including Centers of Expertise (COEs), to ensure alignment of legal strategy with broader enterprise goals.
Based in Atlanta preferred; other U.S. locations considered with regular travel to Atlanta HQ.
Key Tasks & Responsibilities (Essential Functions)
- Serve as the primary legal advisor and executive partner to the AIS President and senior leadership team.
- Participate in AIS leadership meetings to provide legal insight on strategic decisions, risk management, and business priorities.
- Lead legal strategy for global growth initiatives, including SaaS and software commercialization, data privacy, AI and machine learning applications, and cloud/edge product development.
- Structure and negotiate complex agreements across customer, partner, vendor, and supplier relationships, with a focus on monetization of digital products and services.
- Partner with LBE Operations and COEs to develop and enhance enterprise-wide legal standards, policies, and training.
- Advise on international expansion and go-to-market strategy, including navigating regulatory requirements across global jurisdictions.
- Support M&A activity related to AIS, including due diligence, deal execution, and integration planning.
- Manage external counsel relationships and oversee legal operations impacting AIS.
- Mentor and develop legal talent; may have direct or dotted-line team leadership responsibilities.
Skills and Minimum Experience Required
- JD from an accredited law school; licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
- 10-12+ years of legal experience, including significant in-house experience at a technology company.
- Proven expertise in technology law, including software, SaaS, AI, data use/privacy, cybersecurity, and commercial contracts.
- Demonstrated ability to advise executive leaders and influence business strategy on a global scale.
- Experience leading or playing a key role in cross-border legal strategy, international regulatory compliance, and IP risk management.
- Strong commercial instincts and the ability to balance legal risk with business objectives.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with executive presence.
- Experience managing legal teams and/or outside counsel.
Travel Requirements
- 25-50% of the time, domestic and international.
The range for this position is $212,300.00 to $424,300.00. Placement within this range may vary, depending on the applicant’s experience and geographic location. Acuity offers generous benefits including health care, dental coverage, vision plans, 401K benefits, and commissions/incentive compensation depending on the role. For a list of our benefits, click here.
We value diversity and are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regards to race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, ethnicity or national origin, disability, pregnancy, religion, covered veteran status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Accommodation for Applicants with Disabilities: As an equal opportunity employer, Acuity Inc. is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in its application process for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you have difficulty using our online system due to a disability and need an accommodation, you may contact us at (770) 922-9000. Please clearly indicate what type of accommodation you are requesting and for what requisition.
Any unsolicited resumes sent to Acuity Inc. from a third party, such as an Agency recruiter, including unsolicited resumes sent to an Acuity Inc. mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Acuity Inc. employees, or to Acuity Inc. resume database will be considered Acuity Inc. property. Acuity Inc. will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.
Acuity Inc. will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. This includes any Agency that is an approved/engaged vendor, but does not have the appropriate approvals to be engaged on a search.
Nearest Major Market: Atlanta
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