Assistant General Counsel - Privacy & Technology

Job Posting:

Since 1953, Ferguson has been a source of quality supplies for a variety of industries. Together We Build Better infrastructure, better homes and better businesses. We exist to make our customers’ complex projects simple, successful, and sustainable. We proactively solve problems, adapt and grow to continuously serve our customers, communities and each other. Ferguson, a Fortune 500 company, is proud to provide best-in-class products, service and capabilities across the following industries: Commercial/Mechanical, Facilities Supply, Fire and Fabrication, HVAC, Industrial, Residential Trade, Residential Building and Remodel, Waterworks and Residential Digital Commerce. Ferguson has approximately 36,000 associates across 1,700 locations. Ferguson is a community of proud associates who operate with the shared purpose of building something meaningful. You will build a career that you are proud of, at a company you can believe in.

Ferguson has an exciting opportunity for an Assistant General Counsel – Privacy & Technology. This position is a direct report to the Director & Deputy General Counsel - Privacy, Cybersecurity & Digital and provides legal advice and guidance on data privacy, digital commerce/digital marketing, and information technology (IT) contracts. A successful candidate must be able to work collaboratively, advance issues as needed, and provide clear written and verbal communications.

Location:

This role is approved to be either remote (East Coast working hours) within the United States or Hybrid out of Ferguson's corporate offices in Newport News, VA, in accordance with company policy.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct legal research and analysis on existing and developing privacy laws and monitor, track, and review new laws and regulations, including emerging requirements relating to Artificial Intelligence; identify and summarize relevant issues.

• Maintain subject matter expertise in multiple areas of privacy and evaluate impact of relevant requirements (U.S. state and federal privacy laws and regulations, UK-GDPR, PIPEDA, and other global privacy laws), regulatory guidance, and enforcement actions.

• Contribute to the ongoing development of Ferguson’s Data Protection and Privacy Programs, including assisting with updating and creating legal documents, privacy policies and notices, and contract templates (e.g., Data Protection Addendum, CCPA Addendum, Generative AI Addendum) to ensure compliance with existing and emerging legal requirements.

• Provide advice and counsel to stakeholders and business partners on privacy matters, including advice on implementation of new requirements and responses to data subject requests.

• Collaborate with IT and assist more senior counsel with conducting Data Protection Assessments (DPAs) and Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs).

• Provide advice and counsel to digital commerce stakeholders and digital marketing functions on various aspects of compliance with relevant laws and regulations affecting digital commerce/digital marketing, maintain subject matter expertise, and evaluate impact of relevant requirements, including customer service chatbots, CAN-SPAM & TCPA compliance, and FTC guidelines.

• Draft, review, and negotiate IT contracts, including software licensing agreements, SaaS agreements, NDAs, and agreements involving Artificial Intelligence. Ensure contracts align with company policies, mitigate risk, and are compliant with relevant legal and regulatory requirements in IT transactions and data privacy.

• Assist more senior members of the Legal Department in the development, implementation, training and enforcement of Company Policies and Procedures.

• Support other compliance activities performed by the Legal – Corporate team (as requested).

Qualifications:

• J.D. from a reputable law school fully accredited by the American Bar Association; active Bar membership in the U.S.

• Three (3) to five (5) years of legal experience with a law firm or public company as in-house legal counsel in the fields of data privacy, technology contracting, and digital commerce/digital marketing preferred.

• Strong knowledge of U.S. state, federal, and international privacy laws and regulations (including a keen understanding of cross-border data transfer rules and contractual safeguards, and dedication to staying informed of emerging privacy laws and contracting best practices.

• If remote, the ability to drive within reasonable distance or a flight to Ferguson's Headquarters in Newport News, VA desired. On occasion, in person meetings and collaboration will take place.

• Demonstrated knowledge of digital commerce/digital marketing related laws, both domestic and international.

• Demonstrated high level of proficiency advising on customer, vendor, and employee data privacy and digital commerce/digital marketing issues for international commercial companies.

• Ability to interpret complex legal texts, statutes, and regulations, and translate them into actionable contractual terms, privacy policies/notices, and compliance documents.

• Superior oral, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain data privacy, digital commerce/digital marketing, and IT contracting requirements clearly to stakeholders, including IT, business, and legal teams.

• Demonstrated experience in drafting, and negotiating IT-related contracts, such as software licensing, cloud services, SaaS, data processing agreements, and technology agreements ensuring compliance with privacy obligations and mitigating data protection risks.

• Strong interest in technology, and familiarity with IT infrastructure, cloud computing, software development, and data processing and governance technologies to effectively evaluate and address the technical aspects of contracts and privacy compliance.

• Precision and careful attention to detail.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

• A positive attitude and a desire to grow and change with the business.

• Excellent collaboration skills, to engage with high performance teams and colleagues in different functions and levels within a diverse, international company.

• Excellent project and time management skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks of varied complexity, set priorities, meet deadlines, and develop process efficiencies where required.

• High proficiency with Microsoft Office products (Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and ability to explore and quickly learn other software applications preferred.

At Ferguson, we care for each other. We value our well-being just as much as our hard work. We are committed to a holistic approach towards benefits plans and programs that support the mental, physical and financial well-being of our associates. Our competitive offering not only includes benefits like health, dental, vision, paid time off, life insurance and a 401(k) with a company match, but our associates also enjoy additional meaningful and inclusive enhancements that are adaptable to their diverse situations and needs, including mental health coverage, gender affirming and family building benefits, paid parental leave, associate discounts, community involvement opportunities and more!

#LI-Remote

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Pay Range:

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Actual pay rate may vary depending upon location. The estimated pay range for this position is below. The specific rate will depend on a candidate’s qualifications and prior experience.

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Estimated Ranges displayed are Monthly for Salaried roles OR Hourly for all other roles.

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This role is Bonus or Incentive Plan eligible.

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Ferguson complies with all wage regulations. The starting wage may be higher in certain locations based on local or state wage requirements.

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The Company is an equal opportunity employer as well as a government contractor that shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-300.5(a), which prohibits discrimination against qualified protected Veterans and the requirements of 41 CFR 60-741.5(A), which prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability.

Ferguson Enterprises, LLC. is an equal employment employer F/M/Disability/Vet/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Reasonable Accommodation Information