Director, Risk Management and Compliance

Kia America; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Premium health benefits

401(k) match

Paid time off

Lease/purchase programs

Holiday shutdown

Volunteer hours

Campus amenities

Job summary

Kia America seeks an experienced Senior Legal Leader to provide strategic direction across regulatory compliance, labor matters, corporate governance, and cybersecurity. You will supervise in-house counsel and collaborate with stakeholders, executives, and outside counsel to mitigate risk and protect the company’s interests.

The role requires a JD, California Bar, and 10–15 years of experience in top-tier law settings, with preferred privacy certifications and automotive sector exposure.

Qualifications

• J.D. from ABA-accredited law school
• California Bar admission required
• 10–15 years top-tier law firm and/or in-house experience
• Regulatory experience in automotive industry helpful; Privacy Professional certification preferred

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal direction on regulatory compliance, labor, governance and corporate matters
• Oversee and manage in-house legal services, coordinating with stakeholders and outside counsel
• Lead cybersecurity and privacy initiatives, policies, and incident responses
• Report to executives and manage risk through effective policy implementations

Skills

Strategic advisor

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Interpersonal communication

Cybersecurity awareness

Policy interpretation

Risk management

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

California State Bar

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

At Kia, we’re creating award-winning products and redefining what value means in the automotive industry. It takes a special group of individuals to do what we do, and we do it together. Our culture is fast-paced, collaborative, and innovative. Our people thrive on thinking differently and challenging the status quo. We are creating something special here, a culture of learning and opportunity, where you can help Kia achieve big things and most importantly, feel passionate and connected to your work every day.

Kia provides team members with competitive benefits including premium paid medical, dental and vision coverage for you and your dependents, 401(k) plan matching of 100% up to 6% of the salary deferral, and paid time off. Kia also offers company lease and purchase programs, company-wide holiday shutdown, paid volunteer hours, and premium lifestyle amenities at our corporate campus in Irvine, California.

Status

Exempt

General Summary

Primarily responsible for providing strategic direction, overseeing, managing, providing in-house legal advice and services relating to risk management and compliance issues involving corporate regulatory concerns, labor and employment-related matters, corporate governance, and cybersecurity and privacy issues. Responsible for supervising attorneys and paralegals in providing in-house legal services involving risk management and compliance issues. This role is also responsible for coordinating with legal department management, business stakeholders, outside legal counsel, Kia America’s parent company, and other affiliated companies to manage the foregoing matters.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Priority One - 30%

• Manage, oversee and provide strategic legal advice and legal services relating to regulatory compliance and legislative affairs, including, without limitation, import/export regulations, anti-corruption programs, antitrust, tax matters, guidance on mobility issues, general corporate environmental regulations, and supply chain regulations.

Priority Two - 30%

• Manage, oversee and provide strategic legal advice and legal services relating to a wide variety of employment-related matters, including recruiting, accommodations, leaves of absence, team member relations, compensation and benefits, HR policies and procedures, and immigration; advising Human Resources team and executives on policy decisions, emerging risk areas, risk mitigation strategies; drafting and negotiating employment-related agreements; responses to demand letters, agency matters, and other regulatory inquiries; and handing of employment related disputes, including overseeing and managing relationships and costs with outside counsel handling employment litigation.

Priority Three - 30%

• Manage, oversee and provide strategic legal advice and legal services relating to cybersecurity and privacy obligations with the goal of complying with applicable laws and regulations and mitigating risks associated with a cybersecurity breach or breach of company privacy commitments. Oversee and provide legal counsel and advice and drafting of documents relating to cybersecurity and privacy issues and privacy policies as they relate to sales, marketing, connected vehicle products, and other areas of the Company. Oversee and respond directly to or assist business units with responding to requests from Auto-ISAC, regulators, or the media relating to the Company’s management of consumer data, cyber risks or cyber intrusions.

Priority Four -10%

• Manage, oversee, and provide strategic legal advice and legal services relating to corporate governance issues, including preparing and revising relevant documents, such as bylaws, resolutions, meeting minutes, and advising the Company’s board of directors.
• Provide reporting to the legal department and executives

Personally Performed Duties

• Lead and manage a team of risk management and compliance attorneys and other staff members in managing their respective matters.
• Monitor and assess legal risks and provide proactive solutions.
• Offer strategic legal advice to senior management on matters within area of responsibility.
• Manage efficient case management and cost control in litigation and advice matters related to areas of responsibility.
• Review, implement and oversee in-house risk management policies and procedures.
• Provide advice on Legal Department Approval Requests.
• Represent the Company in negotiations and legal proceedings.

Qualifications/Education

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree from an ABA-accredited law school
• California State Bar Admission

Job Requirement

• 10-15 years top tier law firm and/or in-house experience
• Prior management experience preferred
• Regulatory experience in the automobile industry helpful
• Certified Information Privacy Professional certification preferred

Specialized Skills And Knowledge Required

• Requires prior demonstrated managerial, organizational, and interpersonal communications (verbal and written) skills.
• In depth knowledge of relevant laws and regulations.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively with senior management.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple projects/priorities simultaneously and with composure.
• Ability to create timely and insightful executive reports and analysis.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing legal and regulatory environments and willingness to stay updated on legal trends and developments.
• Mastery of standard office software suites (Microsoft Office) and ability to learn other company software systems.
• Ability to act independently to make decisions that maximize client’s legal benefits and minimize legal exposures.
• Ability to provide reasoned and consistent legal advice and implement innovative strategies to protect the Company’s legal interests.
• Ability to provide strategic legal advice aligned with business objectives.
• Proactive approach to identifying and mitigating legal risks.
• Capacity to participate in high-level decision-making processes.

Leadership

• Proven ability to inspire, motivate, and develop high-performing teams.
• Ability to mentor and develop junior legal staff.

Planning & Organizing

• Adequately applies and effectively distributes ideas and material resources by clarifying the priorities, activity sequences, and planning of projects/tasks.

Customer Focus

• Clearly recognizes both internal and external customers and the impact that task performance could have on them

Communication

• Clearly understands fellow team members and efficiently conveys one’s thoughts using adequate communication channels and methods

Networking

• Develop internal and external relationships, effectively promote teamwork and interactions within the organization

Service Organization

• Adequately applies and effectively distributes ideas and material resources by clarifying the priorities, activity sequences, and planning of projects/tasks.

Competencies

• Care for People
• Chase Excellence Every Day
• Dare to Push Boundaries
• Empower People to Act
• Move Further Together

Pay Range

$179,511.09 - $260,007.46

Pay will be based on several variables that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to, job-related skills, experience, relevant education or training, etc.

Equal Employment Opportunities

KUS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, including pregnancy and childbirth and related medical conditions, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, legally protected physical disability or mental disability, legally protected medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, family care or medical leave status, protected veteran or military status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. KUS complies with applicable law governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which KUS has offices. The KUS EEO policy applies to all areas of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, discipline, termination and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment.

Disclaimer: The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification and for this position. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Employment Type

Full Time