Korn Ferry International

Supporting the Corporate Secretary with securities law compliance, SEC filings, and board interactions. | Extensive experience in corporate and securities law, SEC reporting, and working with boards of directors. | Associate General Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary, based in Franklin Lakes, NJ. The Company BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world and is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics and the delivery of care. The company supports the heroes on the frontlines of healthcare by developing innovative technology, services and solutions that help advance both clinical therapy for patients and clinical processes for healthcare providers. BD and its 75,000 employees have a passion and commitment to help enhance the safety and efficiency of clinicians' care delivery process, enable laboratory scientists to accurately detect disease and advance researchers' capabilities to develop the next generation of diagnostics and therapeutics. BD has a presence in virtually every country and partners with organizations around the world to address some of the most challenging global health issues. The Role This position supports the Corporate Secretary in the day-to-day operations and functions of the Corporate Secretary’s office, working closely with the company's Board of Directors, senior management and company functions and businesses. Responsibilities will include supporting the Corporate Secretary in: • Providing advice and counsel regarding securities law disclosure/compliance, including Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and SEC registration statements, Section 16 reporting and drafting the annual meeting proxy statement and preparing for the annual meeting of stockholders. • Providing securities law advice and compliance guidance for earnings releases, investor materials, management presentations and other communications. • Providing legal support to Board of Directors and Board Committees, which includes advising on substantive legal matters; developing meeting agendas, and preparing materials for Board/Committee meetings. • Coordinating training on, and the compliance processes for, various corporate policies, including securities trading and Regulation FD. • Providing legal support on equity and debt financings. • Advising on other legal matters that arise across various functions within the company. • The management and supervision of the corporate secretary function, including subsidiary management, and various other corporate secretarial matters. • Experience in ESG reporting and executive compensation a plus. Compensation: Base compensation range of $250,000-$350,000 with 30-35% target bonus and meaningful equity for long-term incentives. Location: The person in this role will work out of the Franklin Lakes, NJ office. Relocation is available. The team is typically in office 4 days a week, working remotely 1 day/week. The team offers additional flexibility when needed. The Candidate The ideal candidate will possess: Experience and Professional Qualifications • 7-10+ years of professional experience as a practicing attorney in a large law firm and/or in-house setting, with primary emphasis in corporate, securities and capital markets practice. Extensive experience in corporate and securities law matters, SEC reporting and corporate governance is required. Both law firm training and in-house counsel experience preferred. • Experience supporting and/or working with boards of directors and senior management. Experience serving in an in-house corporate secretary office of a public company is a plus. • Strong experience advising on reporting and disclosure requirements under SEC and NYSE rules, and working cross-functionally to draft and review all periodic SEC reports and other SEC-related forms and filings. • Strong understanding of corporate governance matters. • Experience leading or supporting executive compensation or ESG reporting for public companies is a plus. • While public company experience is required, experience is industry agnostic with a preference for experience working with highly regulated industries. Skills and Competencies • Excellent work ethic and high degree of professionalism, and a proven ability to work both independently and within a team. Experience managing direct report(s) is a plus. • Outstanding verbal and written communication skills. • Superior organization, decision making and problem-solving skills. • Ability to multi-task and work in a fast paced, changing environment and to balance multiple, concurrent projects. Personal Attributes • Willingness to travel to offsite Board meetings. • In terms of cultural fit, the successful candidate will be self-motivated and energized by working amongst a group of thoughtful, smart and successful colleagues He or she will enjoy being part of an organization focused on excellence and will be a naturally collaborative person who enjoys interacting with individuals at all levels. Additionally, he or she will be a strong team player with a proactive approach and the ability to exercise discretion and judgment. The successful candidate will understand that working directly with board of directors and senior management may require addressing emergencies outside of normal working hours. Education and Accreditation • Bachelor's degree and Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an accredited university • Bar admission in at least one state 510778789 • ***** Korn Ferry shall provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified candidates, and will refer candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected basis. Artificial Intelligence tools may be used in connection with the recruitment process for this position.

Lead market entry, oversee operations, and scale CEFA's U.S. franchise network, ensuring compliance and brand integrity. | 15-20+ years of leadership in franchise or regulated service organizations, experience in launching and scaling operations in new markets, and strong understanding of U.S. regulatory requirements for childcare and franchise systems. | The Organization About Core Education & Fine Arts Founded in 1998 by Natacha V. Beim, Core Education & Fine Arts (CEFA) is one of Canada’s most recognized, premier private early childhood education networks. CEFA was created with a vision to redefine early learning by combining academic excellence with creativity and social-emotional development. Today, CEFA operates more than 40 schools across British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario, with plans for continued expansion. Its programs serve children from ages one to five, offering a full-day curriculum that goes far beyond traditional daycare or preschool models. The CEFA approach is rooted in research on brain development and early learning. Its proprietary curriculum is designed to nurture intellectual, emotional, and physical growth during the most formative years of a child’s life. CEFA schools are recognized for their innovative, proprietary curriculum, which integrates early academics, fine arts, physical education, emotional development, and cultural enrichment. The program is built around four foundational pillars: • Language • Numbers and Math Language • Peer and Social Skills • Emotional Control & Intelligence Children engage in hands-on science experiments, early engineering challenges, and coding activities to develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Literacy and language instruction begins with phonetics and gradually introduces writing and reading fundamentals, often incorporating bilingual learning to enhance cognitive flexibility. Fine arts are woven into daily routines through music, drama, dance, and visual arts, fostering creativity and emotional intelligence. Mindfulness and citizenship activities—such as yoga, cultural studies, and outdoor exploration—help children develop empathy, resilience, and a sense of responsibility toward their community and environment. CEFA’s teaching philosophy blends structured, teacher-led instruction with child-led exploration, drawing inspiration from Montessori and Reggio Emilia methodologies. Educators are licensed Early Childhood Educators who receive additional specialized training through CEFA University, ensuring consistency and quality across all locations. Classrooms are organized by age groups, allowing for tailored learning experiences and small-group interaction. Teachers regularly observe and document each child’s progress, sharing updates with families to create a collaborative learning environment. Beyond academics, CEFA emphasizes holistic development. Each center provides fresh, nutritious meals prepared by on-site chefs and incorporates daily outdoor play to promote physical health and a connection with nature. The program also prioritizes social-emotional learning, encouraging children to express themselves, work collaboratively, and develop confidence in their abilities. Families are considered partners in the learning process, with regular communication and opportunities to engage in their child’s educational journey. Organizational Principles Our mission is to create a generation of inspired thinkers, lifelong learners, and socially responsible leaders. Through a franchise model, CEFA partners with passionate entrepreneurs to deliver world-class early learning in their communities. With a strong reputation for quality, safety, and innovation, CEFA is now poised for significant expansion in the United States, building upon its established presence in Canada. CEFA Core Values • Make a Difference- We make a difference in children’s lives and inspire and educate children to the same throughout their lives • Inspire- We inspire magic and joy • Lead- We lead by example • Respect- We have a deep respect for children, evident in all we do • Self-Improvement- We believe in continuous self-improvement The Opportunity Position: Chief Operating Officer & Country Head (CEFA U.S.) Location: Remote within the United States Reporting Relationship: President, CEFA, Arno Krug Website: https://cefa.ca/ Purpose of the Position Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, United States & Country Head serves as CEFA's most senior executive in the United States and is accountable for launching, operating, and scaling CEFA's U.S. business This role is responsible for translating CEFA's vision, strategy, and brand standards into disciplined execution across U.S. market while ensuring strong franchise performance, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence. The COO & Country Head will lead CEFA's entry into the U.S. market and oversee all U.S. operations, including franchise support, school openings, unit-level performance, and market adaptation. Building on CEFA's position as Canada's premier early learning institution, this leader will ensure CEFA's proprietary curriculum, culture, and standards are consistently delivered while being thoughtfully adapted to U.S. regulatory, cultural, and market conditions. The role carries full operational accountability for CEFA's U.S. business, including P&L performance, franchisee success, and execution against CEO-approved strategic priorities. The COO & Country Head will work in close partnership with CEFA's Canadian leadership and centralized back-office teams, leveraging shared services to enable efficient scale while maintaining clear ownership of U.S.-facing execution and outcomes. As CEFA's senior representative in the United States, the COO & Country Head will serve as the primary operational partner to U.S. franchisees and external stakeholders, ensuring CEFA establishes a strong, compliant, and scalable presence that supports long-term system growth and franchisee profitability. Authority and Accountability The Chief Operating Officer, United States & Country Head, is responsible for overseeing the entire United States business of CEFA. This role has been delegated the responsibility to make day-to-day operational, staffing, and execution decisions required to successfully launch and scale CEFA in alignment with CEO-approved strategy, budgets, and brand standards. The COO & Country Head is accountable for U.S. financial performance, franchisee outcomes, operational quality, regulatory compliance, and brand integrity, and serves as the primary escalation point for all U.S. operational matters. Key Responsibilities Strategic Planning and Market Expansion • Develop and execute CEFA's U.S. market strategy and growth strategy in alignment with the CEO-defined priorities and CEFA's long-term vision. • Lead the end-to-end launch of CEFA's initial U.S. schools, including pilot execution, early performance stabilization, and refinement of a repeatable U.S. expansion model. • Conduct market analysis to identify priority regions, competitive dynamics, and franchise growth opportunities. • Adapt and position CEFA's brand for the U.S. market, preserving the integrity of CEFA's proprietary curriculum, culture, and values. • Oversee U.S. marketing and communications strategies tailored to American families and franchise partners. • Build sustainable U.S. revenue streams through franchise performance, growth initiatives, and strategic partnerships. • Monitor U.S. financial performance, including unit-level economics, and make sure it aligns with growth and profitability objectives. Operational Excellence • Establish CEFA as a scalable, execution-ready organization in the United States by building U.S.-specific operational capabilities while leveraging CEFA's established systems, manuals, and centralized Canadian back-office infrastructure. • CEFA's Canadian shared services will support core back-office functions, including finance, payroll, banking coordination, legal documentation, HR administration, systems, and policy frameworks. The COO & Country Head will serve as the primary U.S. business owner and interface with these teams, ensuring U.S. operational requirements are clearly defined, prioritized, and effectively executed. • The COO & Country Head retains full accountability for U.S.-facing execution, including school openings, staffing models, franchisee performance, parent experience, local compliance, and consistent delivery of CEFA's curriculum and standards across all U.S. locations. • Own and continuously improve U.S. franchise partners unit economics, including ramp-up timelines, labor models, tuition pricing frameworks, and long-term franchisee profitability. • Act as the primary operational partner and escalation point for U.S. franchise partners, driving performance improvement, satisfaction, and long-term retention. • Recruit, develop, and lead a high-performing U.S.-based team to support execution, growth, and franchise success. • Foster a positive, collaborative, and values-driven CEFA culture across U.S. operations. Stakeholder Engagement • Serve as CEFA's senior representative in the United States, building trusted relationships with franchisees, families, educators, regulators, landlords, and community partners. • Ensure U.S. franchise partners are well-supported, financially successful, and deeply aligned with CEFA's brand and values. • Act as a spokesperson for CEFA in U.S. media and public forums, promoting thought leadership in early childhood education. • Build partnerships with universities, teacher training programs, and mission-aligned organizations to strengthen CEFA's talent pipeline and community impact. Innovation and Continuous Improvement • Identify opportunities to enhance CEFA's curriculum and programming for U.S. cultural and regulatory contexts. • Monitor industry trends and emerging best practices to ensure CEFA remains at the forefront of early childhood education. • Partner with CEFA leadership to introduce digital tools and systems that enhance operational efficiency, parent engagement, and competitive differentiation. • Implement systems to track student outcomes, franchise performance, and customer satisfaction, driving continuous improvement. Compliance, Licensing, and Legal Oversight • Serve as the executive owner of regulatory, licensing, and operational compliance for CEFA's United States business. • Ensure all U.S. operations comply with federal, state, and local regulations governing early childhood education and franchise systems, including the FTC Franchise Rule, childcare licensing requirements, employment laws, and health and safety standards. • Oversee U.S. licensing, permitting, and inspection processes for new and operating schools, in collaboration with CEFA's Canadian legal and compliance teams. • Proactively monitor regulatory changes and adjust U.S. operational practices to protect CEFA's brand, licenses, and growth trajectory. The Candidate Experience and Professional Qualifications The successful candidate will be a seasoned, entrepreneurial operator with the ability to build and scale a high-quality, regulated service business in a new market. They will combine strategic vision with disciplined execution and bring a collaborative leadership style aligned with CEFA's mission and values. Candidates should have the following qualifications and characteristics: • 15–20+ years of progressive leadership experience in franchise, multi-site, or regulated service organizations, ideally within early learning, education, or mission-aligned sectors. • Demonstrated success launching and scaling operations in new markets, including building repeatable operating models from early-stage pilots. • Proven ability to drive unit-level P&L performance and franchisee profitability. • Strong understanding of U.S. regulatory and licensing requirements for childcare and franchise systems. • Experience operating as a country leader or senior operator within a founder-led or privately held organization. • Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to inspire confidence among franchisees, partners, and internal teams. • Strong financial and operational acumen, with experience managing budgets, forecasts, and multi-site performance. • Technology-savvy, with experience leveraging systems and digital tools to support operational scale and customer engagement. • Commitment to CEFA's mission, values, and dedication to high-quality early childhood education. Measures of Success (First 24-36 Months): • Successful launch and stabilization of CEFA's initial U.S. schools. • Strong unit-level franchise economics and franchisee satisfaction. • Full regulatory and licensing compliance across operating states. • A scalable U.S. operating model aligned with CEFA’s standards and values. • A high-performing U.S. leadership and field support team. Compensation The estimated base compensation will be $225,000 - $250,000 along with bonus and equity. Equal Employment Opportunity CEFA is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Employment decisions at CEFA are made without regard to race, color, religion or creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital or family status, disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, provincial, or local law. CEFA values diversity and inclusion and is committed to maintaining a respectful, inclusive, and equitable workplace. Accessibility & Accommodations CEFA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for religious practices, in accordance with applicable law. Applicants who require accommodations during the recruitment or hiring process are encouraged to contact us to arrange appropriate accommodations. • ***** Korn Ferry shall provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified candidates, and will refer candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected basis. Artificial Intelligence tools may be used in connection with the recruitment process for this position.