General Counsel bei Green Plains Inc.

Summary: The General Counsel (GC) will serve as a key member of the senior executive team, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and working closely with the Board of Directors, with responsibility for leading all legal functions of the company, including compliance, litigation management, governance, commercial transactions, and regulatory affairs. Acting as a strategic advisor and business partner to the CEO, senior management, and the Board, the GC will help anticipate and mitigate risks while supporting the company’s vision, growth strategies, and operations. The role demands strong legal expertise, pragmatic business judgment, and the ability to navigate complex legal, regulatory, and financial matters in a fast-paced, highly entrepreneurial environment.

Responsibilities: 

• Anticipate, manage, and mitigate legal risks across corporate, operational, and regulatory domains; develop and execute strategies for material litigation, disputes, investigations, and settlements; and lead legal due diligence and contract management for strategic initiatives.
• Identifies legal issues across business lines and provide proactive solutions.
• Advise the Board of Directors and its committees on fiduciary duties, governance best practices, and evolving regulations.
• Lead the preparation, review, and filing of SEC reports (10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, proxy statements).
• Ensure compliance with SEC, Sarbanes-Oxley, Nasdaq listing requirements, and other public company obligations.
• Structure and negotiate mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and strategic alliances.
• Provide legal oversight on financing activities, including debt and equity offerings, structured finance, and capital markets transactions.
• Support due diligence, contract negotiation, and execution of strategic initiatives.
• Oversee enterprise-wide compliance, including ethics programs and adherence to laws such as FCPA, antitrust, FDA, EPA, OSHA, DOL, DOE, and other federal, state, and international regulations.
•  Monitor emerging legal, regulatory, and policy developments (e.g., carbon credits, LCFS, 45Q, 45Z) and assess implications for business strategy.
• Build and lead a high-performing legal and compliance team across multiple locations.
• Foster a collaborative, results-driven culture within the legal function.
• Manage external counsel effectively, balancing quality, cost, and efficiency.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to support strategic decision-making, corporate structuring, compensation planning, and risk management.
• Engage with regulators, policymakers, and government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Provide legal guidance in support of investor relations, public relations, and ESG-related initiatives/

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school required; MBA preferred
• Admission to practice law in Nebraska and Iowa required.
• 7-10+ years of progressive legal experience, including significant leadership in a publicly traded company or regulated industry.
• Proven track record as a General Counsel, Deputy GC, or senior in-house counsel preferred.
• Expertise in U.S. securities laws, corporate governance, commercial transactions, M&A, employment law, and regulatory law.
• High emotional intelligence, strong executive presence, and excellent communication skills.
• Strategic thinker with strong legal reasoning, business acumen, and pragmatic problem-solving ability.
• Proven leadership in building and managing legal teams; acts as both “player” and “coach.”
• Adaptable, resilient, and comfortable in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment.
• Authentic, transparent, and trustworthy with a collaborative, business-partner mindset.

Equal Opportunity Employer

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties may be assigned.

Company Description: 

Green Plains Inc. (NASDAQ:GPRE) is a leading biorefining company advancing the transition to a low-carbon world through the production of renewable fuels and sustainable, high-impact ingredients. The company leverages agricultural, biological, and fermentation expertise to transform annually renewable crops into low-carbon energy and sustainable feedstocks. Green Plains is actively deploying carbon capture and storage (CCS) solutions, with three of its facilities set to begin carbon capture later this year. Through innovation and operational excellence, Green Plains is reducing the carbon intensity of its products while delivering value to stakeholders. For more information, visit www.gpreinc.com.