Are you a privacy-focused attorney with expertise in global data protection laws like the GDPR and CCPA? ALDI is seeking a skilled and forward-thinking Corporate Counsel to join our Legal team. In this role, you’ll provide strategic counsel on privacy compliance across our U.S. operations, partnering with cross-functional teams to ensure responsible data handling, mitigate regulatory risk, and support innovation in a privacy-conscious way. You’ll play a key role in shaping and operationalizing ALDI’s privacy program, advising on data governance, vendor management, incident response, and evolving legal obligations. If you're ready to make a meaningful impact in a fast-paced retail environment while championing privacy rights and regulatory excellence, we encourage you to apply.

Position Type: Full-Time
Starting Salary: $127.500
Salary Increases: Year 2 - $135,000 | Year 3 - $142,500 
Work Location: Naperville, IL
This role is eligible to participate in ALDI’s Hybrid Work Program, which requires work in-office at least 2 days per month.

Duties and Responsibilities: 
Must be able to perform duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Communicates effectively and informs direct leader of issues, status, and results of assigned tasks.
• Works proactively and reliably under tight deadlines at the direction of the direct leader and/or independently.
• Engages with various business units and external parties involved in the legal process.
• Partners and liaises with outside counsel on legal matters and manages relevant external consultants.
• Assists in identifying best practices in relation to legal and compliance processes and programs.
• Forms collaborative relationships with leaders and various areas of the business to execute strategies and efforts to support the growth/strategic objectives of the Company.
• Evaluates and analyzes legal issues in multiple jurisdictions and nationwide and reports findings to direct leader.
• Recommends process improvements for area of responsibility.
• Provides day-to-day strategic counsel to assigned business units on a wide range of legal issues.
• Researches, monitors, and assesses the impact of emergent employment law trends, new legal issues and laws, legislation, regulations, and court decisions on the business; identifies and communicates impactful updates to relevant business units.
• Identifies and analyzes unique legal issues impacting the organization by identifying applicable statutes, judicial decisions and codes.
• Drafts legal memorandums, case assessments, attorney correspondence, reports, and other work product to identify exposures and risks then reports findings to direct leader.
• Performs pre-litigation work to minimize risks and potential liability, at the instruction of the direct leader.
• Partners with outside counsel with respect to complex legal matters.
• Identifies proactive, cost-effective solutions that will eliminate and/or mitigate legal and business risks. 
• Ensures effective implementation and communication of Legal programs, providing visibility of key milestones and progress. 
• Assists in implementing and driving process improvements and infrastructure solutions to enhance the department’s ability to assist the Company and function efficiently.
• Ensures compliance with legal documentation and Company policies.
• Assists with preparation and analysis of data to identify legal exposures and risks.
• Assists on special projects, as requested.
• Manages multiple projects and initiatives with various deadlines. 
• Collaborates with team members and communicates relevant information to leadership.
• Complies with ALDI privacy and security requirements and policies if job responsibilities include possible access to confidential and/or sensitive information.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job-specific Competencies: 
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Consistently demonstrates the Mindsets, ALDI Acts Competencies and Professional Skills (M.A.P.) as outlined for the role.
• Gives attention to detail and follows instruction.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and customer service skills, including the ability to communicate with a wide variety of individuals and respond to inquiries in a timely, professional manner.
• Effective time management; maximizes productivity.
• Prepares written materials to meet purpose and audience.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with internal and external parties.
• Ability to work in a collaborative team environment.
• Demonstrated skills in the areas of time management, relationship building, collaboration, and problem solving.
• Knowledge of relevant United States data privacy laws and ability to assist in defending the company against various areas of litigation.
• Conducts privacy impact assessments and data protection impact assessments.
• Knowledge of how legal issues affect organizations and the ability to develop strategies to coordinate legal considerations to business objectives.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including creativity and ability to communicate information accurately and proficiently to non-lawyers.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to stay organized, multi-task, and prioritize in a professional and efficient manner while working under strict deadlines.
• Ability to anticipate legal risks as well as utilize excellent judgment and analytical skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply company policies and procedures.
• Ability to apply creative solutions. 
• Knowledge of retail industry standards and practices preferred. 

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• A minimum of 1 year of progressive privacy experience in a legal environment required. 
• J.D. from an ABA accredited law school required. 
• Licensed to practice in Illinois (or immediate ability to become licensed) required.
• Strong understanding of data governance, data security, and privacy by design principles.
• In-depth knowledge of CCPA, VCDPA and other global data protection laws and regulations.
• Proficiency in OneTrust is a plus.
• CIPP/US, or other relevant privacy certification is a plus.
• Or, a combination of education and experience providing equivalent knowledge. 

Physical Requirements:

• Work may be performed in an office, remote office or a combination of both where a computer and office equipment may be used as needed to perform duties.
• Regularly required to sit, reach, grasp, stand and move from one area to another.
• Constantly and repeatedly use keyboard/mouse.
• Occasionally required to push, pull, bend, lift and move up to 25 lbs. 

Travel:

• Domestic travel required.
• Up to 10%.

ALDI offers competitive wages and benefits, including:

• 401(k) Plan
• Company 401(k) Matching Contributions
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• PerkSpot National Discount Program

In addition, eligible employees are offered:

• Medical, Prescription, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Generous Vacation Time & 7 Paid Holidays
• Up to 6 Weeks Paid Parental Leave at 100% of pay
• Up to 2 Weeks Paid Caregiver Leave at 100% of pay
• Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life, Dependent Life and AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary Term Life Insurance

ALDI is committed to equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. As a proud Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE), we do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, religion, sex, sexual stereotyping, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, pregnancy (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), or any other protected characteristic. Employment may be contingent upon ALDI's receipt of an acceptable and job-related drug test, motor vehicle report, and/or reference check, as applicable and permissible by law.