Director, Legal

At AmaWaterways, we believe meaningful careers begin with purpose, passion and a shared commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences. For those who value curiosity, connection and personal enrichment, AmaWaterways offers the opportunity to help craft meaningful river journeys that invite travelers to follow their own current. Built on a foundation of heartfelt hospitality, we treat our guests—and each other—with genuine care, warmth and respect. AmaWaterways fosters a collaborative environment both onboard our ships and across our global network of offices, where team members grow together, support one another and take pride in upholding the high standards and thoughtful service our company is known for.

We invite talented, motivated professionals to explore our career opportunities and begin their journey with AmaWaterways today.

SUMMARY

The Director, Legal serves as the Company’s senior legal leader, responsible for providing strategic, practical, and business-oriented legal counsel across all functions of AmaWaterways. This role oversees corporate governance, commercial contracting, employment matters, regulatory compliance, internal policy governance, and enterprise risk management in support of the Company’s global operations.

The Director, Legal partners closely with executive leadership and the People & Talent team to ensure legal risk is proactively managed while enabling growth, operational excellence, and strategic initiatives. This role balances strong legal judgment with commercial pragmatism in a fast-paced, private equity–backed environment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as primary legal advisor to executive leadership and department heads.
• Oversee all commercial contracting, including vendor agreements, partnership agreements, distribution agreements, charter agreements, and customer-facing terms and conditions.
• Lead the drafting, review, and governance of AmaWaterways’ internal corporate policies, ensuring alignment with applicable laws, regulatory requirements, and best practices.
• Partner with the People & Talent team on employee handbook development, workplace policies, and global employment compliance initiatives.
• Establish and maintain a centralized policy governance framework, including version control, review cycles, and compliance monitoring.
• Provide guidance on employment matters in partnership with People & Talent, including investigations, terminations, compliance, and risk mitigation.
• Support corporate governance, board materials, and entity management across domestic and international jurisdictions.
• Advise on regulatory compliance matters impacting maritime operations, consumer protection, data privacy, and international business practices.
• Lead legal review of marketing materials, promotional campaigns, and customer communications to mitigate regulatory and reputational risk.
• Manage disputes, claims, and litigation in coordination with external counsel.
• Draft, review, and negotiate strategic agreements including technology, distribution, sponsorship, and international commercial contracts.
• Provide guidance on intellectual property matters, including trademarks and brand protection.
• Partner with Finance on insurance coverage, risk transfer strategies, and indemnification matters.
• Manage outside counsel relationships and legal spend effectively.
• Support M&A activity, due diligence, and integration initiatives as needed.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and international laws and regulations.
• Perform other legal and strategic initiatives as assigned by executive leadership.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• May supervise legal counsel, paralegal, compliance, or policy staff as assigned.
• Manages external counsel relationships and outside legal resources.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable laws.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school required.
• Licensure: Active member in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar; California bar admission preferred.
• Experience: Minimum 8–12 years of legal experience, with a combination of law firm and in-house experience preferred.
• Experience supporting commercial contracting, employment matters, regulatory compliance, and internal policy governance in a multi-state or global organization.
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills across a broad range of agreements and corporate policies.
• Experience working in private equity–backed or high-growth environments preferred.
• Ability to balance legal risk with commercial objectives.
• Strong business acumen and executive presence.
• Experience managing litigation and outside counsel relationships.

COMPETENCIES

• Business Judgment – Provides practical, risk-balanced legal advice aligned to business strategy.
• Commercial Acumen – Understands operational realities and revenue impact.
• Risk Management – Identifies, mitigates, and proactively manages legal and regulatory risk.
• Policy Governance – Establishes and maintains clear, compliant, and operationally practical internal policies.
• Negotiation – Skilled in structuring and closing complex agreements.
• Integrity & Ethics – Maintains the highest professional and ethical standards.
• Communication – Clearly translates legal concepts for business leaders.
• Executive Presence – Operates confidently and effectively with senior leadership and board stakeholders.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Frequently required to sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers.
• Occasionally required to stand or walk.
• Work is typically performed in a professional office environment with moderate noise levels.
• The employee may occasionally lift or move up to 10 pounds.