Senior Counsel

Our Company

Connecting Global Communities Through Quality Agriproducts

Universal Corporation is a global business-to-business agriproducts company with more than a century of experience connecting farmers, manufacturers, and consumers around the world. Operating in over 30 countries across five continents, we serve as a vital link between agricultural communities and some of the world's most recognized consumer product brands.

Through our diversified portfolio – led by Universal Leaf Tobacco and Universal Ingredients – we deliver sustainable, traceable, and customized agriproduct solutions that meet evolving market needs. Our work is grounded in responsible sourcing, innovation, and long‑term partnership, supporting farmers through training, technology, and community investment.

At Universal, integrity, collaboration, and purpose guide how we operate and grow. We are committed to cultivating sustainable value for our partners, strengthening global supply chains, and creating positive impact – one crop, one connection, and one solution at a time.

As Senior Counsel at Universal, you will lead complex international commercial transactions, drafting and negotiating key agreements and providing strategic legal guidance to support global business operations. You’ll shape and improve contracting processes by developing policies, templates, and playbooks, while partnering closely with cross‑functional teams to ensure commercial initiatives align with legal and regulatory requirements. You will also advise on contract interpretation, compliance, and risk mitigation across jurisdictions and manage outside counsel to support the company’s international objectives.

• Lead and manage complex commercial transactions, including supply, manufacturing, and services agreements across multiple jurisdictions.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements with global customers, vendors, and logistics providers.
• Provide strategic legal counsel to business teams on international commercial operations, regulatory risk, and cross‑border contractual frameworks.
• Develop, implement, and maintain contracting policies, templates, and playbooks to streamline commercial processes for international business units.
• Partner closely with finance, compliance, procurement, and operations teams to align legal strategy with organizational goals and commercial objectives.
• Contribute to corporate governance matters, commercial policy development, and internal process improvements for a multinational business environment.
• Advise on contract interpretation, compliance, and risk mitigation.
• Ensure contracts align with laws and company policies across global operations.
• Identify, assess, and manage legal risks associated with global commercial operations.
• Manage outside counsel as needed.
• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Admission to practice in at least one jurisdiction.
• 7 or more years of relevant experience.
• Exceptional contract-drafting skills, including the ability to craft clear, accurate, and legally sound agreements, anticipate risk in contract language, and tailor provisions to support business objectives.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and analytical skills, with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into practical business guidance.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and communicate effectively with senior management.
• Superior legal and analytical expertise and a business-oriented approach to problem‑solving.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and a commitment to professionalism, integrity, and collegiality

• Law firm experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with international or cross‑border transactions preferred.

We offer a wide range of market-competitive total rewards that include 401(k) match, pension, merit increases, paid holidays, medical, dental, life, vision, short and long‑term disability benefits, and tuition assistance to name a few.

All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.