Vice President, General Counsel - Aerospace Segment

Woodward is committed to creating a great workplace for all team members. Our company and its members are committed to acting with integrity, being respectful and accountable to one another, and staying humble and driven, while maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards.

We are steadfastly committed to attracting the best talent across our communities, creating a rewarding workplace. Together we are fulfilling our purpose to design and deliver energy control solutions our partners count on to power a clean future.

Woodward supports our members' wellbeing and regularly benchmarks with other companies in our industry to offer an extensive Total Reward package for this position. Salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

• Estimated annual base pay: $280,000 (minimum) - $315,000 (midpoint) - $359,000 (maximum)
• All members included in annual cash bonus opportunity.
  • 401(k) match (4.5%)
  • Annual Woodward stock contribution (5%)
  • Tuition reimbursement and Training/Professional Development opportunities for all members

• 12 paid holidays, including floating holidays.
• Industry leading medical, dental, and vision Insurance upon date of hire

• Vacation / Sick Time / Vacation Buy-up / Short Term Disability / Bereavement leave.
• Paid parental leave.
• Adoption Assistance
• Employee Assistance Program, including mental health benefits.
• Member Life & AD&D / Long Term Disability / Member Optional Life
• Member referral bonus

• Spouse / Child Optional Life / Optional AD&D / Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending
• Voluntary benefits, including:

• Home / Auto Insurance discounts
• Whole Life Insurance / Critical Illness Insurance / Legal Assistance / Military Leave

Are you ready to make your mark? If you're a General Counsel, we have an exciting opportunity for you. Woodward is seeking an experienced and strategic legal executive to serve as the Vice President, General Counsel - Aerospace Segment. This is a critical leadership role responsible for overseeing all legal matters within the Aerospace business, ensuring compliance, managing risk, enabling commercial success, and providing trusted counsel to segment leadership. As a key member of the Aerospace leadership team and the Legal & Compliance leadership team, the Aerospace Segment General Counsel will influence decision-making at the highest levels and contribute to the development and execution of strategic initiatives across global markets.

What You Will Be Doing

• Serve as the chief legal advisor for the Aerospace Segment, providing counsel to senior executives and cross-functional teams on legal and business strategy, contracts, supply chain, customer agreements, compliance, and risk mitigation.
• Lead and develop a high-performing legal team supporting aerospace programs across OEM, aftermarket, and government platforms.
• Partner with contracts, engineering, program management, operations, and finance teams to negotiate and manage complex customer agreements, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, labor & employment and international deals.
• Oversee compliance with U.S. and international laws and regulations, including ITAR, EAR, UK Bribery Act/FCPA, and other trade, anti-trust and anti-corruption laws.
• Proactively identify and address emerging legal and regulatory risks related to aerospace innovation, export controls, cybersecurity, data protection, and intellectual property.
• Support mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and other strategic transactions as needed.
• Ensure alignment with Woodward's corporate policies, values, and ethical standards while promoting a strong culture of integrity and accountability.
• Serve as a member of the Legal & Compliance executive leadership team, contributing to company-wide legal strategy, talent development, and operational excellence.

What We Are Looking For

• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and the ability to translate complex legal issues into practical business guidance.
• Deep legal expertise in aerospace and defense industry regulations, commercial contracting, government contracting, supply chain and international law
• Proven executive presence, with the ability to influence and advise senior leadership teams.
• Skilled negotiator with experience handling high-stakes commercial and regulatory matters.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams, manage resources, and drive operational efficiency across a global legal function.
• Unwavering commitment to ethics, compliance, and corporate governance.

Additional Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited U.S. law school; admitted to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 15+ years of progressive legal experience with a blend of in-house and law firm background, including 5+ years in a senior legal leadership role.
• Prior experience in the aerospace and defense sector required.
• Willingness to travel as needed.

Application window is anticipated to close 30 days from original posting date.

This information is provided in compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and is the company's good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation range and benefits offered for this position. The compensation offered to the successful applicant may vary based on factors including experience, skills, education, location, and other job-related reasons.

This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be U.S. Persons within the meaning of the ITAR and EAR, or eligible to obtain all required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce. The ITAR defines a U.S. Person as a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident (i.e., 'Green Card holder'), or a protected person (e.g., asylee, or refugee).

Woodward is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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