Associate Counsel

Why Valvoline Global Operations?
 
At Valvoline Global Operations, we’re proud to be The Original Motor Oil, but we’ve never rested on being first. Founded in 1866, we introduced the world’s first branded motor oil, staking our claim as a pioneer in the automotive and industrial solutions industry. Today, as an affiliate of Aramco, one of the world’s largest integrated energy and chemicals companies, we are driven by innovation and committed to creating sustainable solutions for a better future.

With a global presence, we develop future-ready products and provide best-in-class services for our partners around the world. For us, originality isn’t just about where we began; it’s about where we’re headed and how we’ll lead the way. We are originality in motion.

Our corporate values—Care, Integrity, Passion, Unity, and Excellence—are at the heart of everything we do. These values define how we operate, how we treat one another, and how we engage with our partners, customers, and the communities we serve. At Valvoline Global, we are united in our commitment to:

•    Treating everyone with care.
•    Acting with unwavering integrity.
•    Striving for excellence in all endeavors.
•    Delivering on our commitments with passion.
•    Collaborating as one unified team.

When you join Valvoline Global, you’ll become part of a culture that celebrates creativity, innovation, and excellence. Together, we’re shaping the future of automotive and industrial solutions.

Valvoline Global Operations Headquarters is located in Lexington, KY. We prefer local candidates willing to work an in-office work schedule (3 days per week). *We're also open to candidates working in nearby markets such as Cincinnati or Louisville, but willing to visit HQs weekly.

How You Make An Impact

The Associate Counsel is an entry-level attorney supporting Valvoline Global’s legal, contractual, and compliance functions, primarily for procurement-related initiatives across North America (U.S. and Canada), with occasional involvement in global matters. Reporting to the Senior Counsel – North America, this role plays a vital part in ensuring the efficient execution of procurement contracts and legal operations that underpin Valvoline’s sourcing, services, and vendor management activities.

Working under general supervision, the Associate Counsel manages a diverse range of legal assignments—ranging from routine to moderately complex—and serves as a key point of contact for procurement-related contract matters. This includes drafting and negotiating agreements, engaging with stakeholders to align legal terms with business objectives, and providing timely legal advice to support business execution. The role requires independent judgment, the ability to manage competing priorities, and a proactive mindset to identify legal risks and efficiency opportunities. While guided by departmental policies and senior legal leadership, the Associate Counsel regularly interacts with outside counsel, contributes to the refinement of legal templates and processes, and supports continuous improvement efforts within the legal function. This position does not have supervisory responsibilities but may mentor interns or assist less experienced staff when needed.

Responsibilities Include:

• Contract Review, Drafting, and Negotiation
  • Draft and review a wide range of procurement contracts and associated legal documents, including SaaS agreements, service agreements, purchase agreements, statements of work, amendments, and assignments.
  • Participate in negotiation sessions with vendors and internal stakeholders, responding to counterparty redlines and advocating for terms that balance legal protection with business objectives.
  • Develop and review negotiation strategies, incorporating feedback from business teams and precedent agreements to manage legal risk and ensure consistency with corporate standards.
• Legal Risk Management and Stakeholder Support
  • Collaborate with cross-functional business units—including Procurement, IT, Finance, and Operations—to identify, analyze, and mitigate legal and contractual risks on both routine and complex transactions.
  • Proactively raise legal concerns, offer practical solutions, and ensure stakeholder alignment throughout the contract lifecycle.
  • Work with outside counsel as needed to address disputes, escalate matters, or seek specialized guidance.

• Process Optimization and Legal Operations
  • Assist in maintaining and updating standard contract templates and fallback provisions to reflect changes in law, policy, and business practice.
  • Contribute to departmental initiatives aimed at increasing legal efficiency, streamlining workflows, and reducing contract cycle time.
  • Support ongoing efforts to enhance contract management practices, compliance tracking, and document standardization.
• Compliance and Governance
  • Support the Legal and Compliance teams in ensuring adherence to internal policies and applicable legal and regulatory frameworks.
  • Monitor evolving legal standards relevant to procurement and advise on required updates to templates or practices.
  • Help ensure alignment between contractual practices and Valvoline’s internal controls, risk tolerance, and global legal standards.

• General Legal Support and Development
  • Provide legal research, drafting, and administrative support to senior counsel and other members of the Legal team.
  • Take initiative in learning Valvoline’s business and legal environment to increase the strategic value of legal advice.
  • Mentor interns or less experienced staff as appropriate, contributing to knowledge sharing and team development.

What You'll Need

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited institution (required)
• Licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, or eligibility to obtain in-house counsel registration where required
• 0–2 years of post-JD experience; experience supporting corporate legal departments, procurement, or commercial contracts preferred
• Foundational understanding of procurement, commercial, and technology contracting principles
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills, with attention to detail and ability to adapt templates and terms to specific business needs
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and deliver high-quality legal support in a fast-paced environment
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills; able to explain legal concepts clearly to non-legal audiences
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams or internal business partners
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and comfort with contract management or legal workflow tools
• A learning mindset and commitment to professional development and legal operations excellence
• Supports a global workforce across multiple time zones, which may occasionally require flexible work hours to address urgent or time-sensitive matters.

Benefits That Drive Themselves

• Health insurance plans (medical, dental, vision)
• HSA and flexible spending accounts
• 401(k)
• Incentive opportunity*
• Life insurance
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Paid vacation and holidays*
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee discounts
• Tuition reimbursement*
• Adoption assistance*

#LI-MW1

Valvoline Global is an equal opportunity employer. We are dedicated to fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and skills. We strictly prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind, regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetics, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected characteristic.

We are committed to ensuring accessibility throughout our recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any stage of the recruitment or selection process, please contact us at:.

•    Email: Valvolineglobalcareers@valvolineglobal.com

This contact information is solely for accommodation requests. For inquiries about application status, please use the appropriate channels listed in your application materials.

Are You Ready to Make an Impact?

At Valvoline Global, we’re looking for passionate and talented individuals to join our journey of innovation and excellence. Are you ready to shape the future with us? Apply today.

Requisition ID: 1747