General Counsel – North America

JCB; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

JCB, a world‑leading privately owned manufacturer of construction and agricultural equipment, seeks a General Counsel to lead the North America legal function in San Antonio, TX. This role blends strategic business partnership with governance, compliance, and risk management to enable growth while protecting the organization.

You will draft and negotiate broad commercial agreements, oversee litigation and regulatory matters, and align with the UK Group GC on governance and policy.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction (Georgia/ Texas preferred).
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive legal experience.
• Extensive experience drafting, negotiating, and managing complex commercial agreements.
• Proven experience advising executive leadership on governance, regulatory, and business matters.
• Experience managing litigation and external counsel.

Responsibilities

• Lead North America legal function aligned with business objectives and governance.
• Advise President and executive leadership with risk-based, commercially focused counsel.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage broad commercial agreements (dealer, distributor, supplier, procurement, financing, etc.).
• Provide governance, policy, and corporate records management guidance.
• Oversee litigation, investigations, and external counsel management.

Skills

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Litigation management

Executive advisory

Education

J.D. degree

Law license in U.S. jurisdiction

Job description

Company Profile With over 80 years of innovation, JCB is the world’s largest privately owned manufacturer of construction and agricultural equipment. Operating 23 manufacturing facilities across four continents—including the United States, the United Kingdom, India, and Brazil—JCB produces a diverse portfolio of more than 300 products. These include telescopic handlers, backhoe loaders, excavators, wheel loaders, compact excavators, skid steer loaders, compact track loaders, access aerial work platforms, rough terrain forklifts, and tractors. At the heart of JCB’s success are its people. As a family-owned business, we are accountable to our customers—not shareholders—which gives us the flexibility to focus on long‑term innovation and delivering real value. This independence allows us to continuously develop advanced technologies and integrate them into equipment designed to perform in the toughest environments while maximizing customer productivity. At JCB, we stand behind our products—and our name—with pride and commitment to quality.

Position Purpose

The General Counsel serves as the Company's chief legal advisor and strategic business partner, providing practical, commercially focused counsel that supports growth while protecting the organization from legal, regulatory, and operational risk. This role will establish and lead the legal function, oversee corporate governance and compliance, support complex commercial matters, and guide the Company's response to recalls, investigations, regulatory actions, litigation, and reputational risk events. The General Counsel will also drive legal operations excellence through the implementation of scalable processes, legal technology, and contract lifecycle management solutions that enable business growth and operational efficiency.

Position Type

Full Time, Exempt

Location Onsite: 13210 Palo Alto Road, San Antonio, TX 78224

Benefits and Other Compensation

• medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401 (k) retirement plan; paid time off and paid holidays.

Application Process

The anticipated application window will close on October 16, 2026.

Major Tasks, Responsibilities & Key Accountabilities

• Establish, lead, and continuously enhance the North America legal function, ensuring alignment with business objectives, corporate governance standards, and global legal strategy.
• Serve as the primary legal advisor to the President, Executive Leadership Team, and business stakeholders, providing strategic, risk‑based, and commercially focused legal counsel.
• Partner closely with the UK Group General Counsel to align legal strategy, governance, compliance, and risk management initiatives across the organization.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage a broad range of commercial agreements, including dealer, distributor, supplier, procurement, manufacturing, logistics, financing, leasing, technology, software, and customer contracts.
• Provide legal oversight and strategic guidance for dealer and distributor networks, including appointments, performance management, territory rights, sponsored dealer arrangements, equity transfers, and termination matters.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and international laws and regulations, including product liability, product safety, warranty, import/export, trade compliance, anti‑corruption, environmental, and commercial regulations.
• Advise the business on regulatory matters involving agencies and programs including EPA, CARB, ECCC, and other relevant governmental authorities.
• Support the Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team on governance matters, including corporate policies, governance frameworks, board resolutions, and corporate records management.
• Lead the management of litigation, claims, investigations, disputes, and regulatory matters, including the selection and oversight of external counsel and management of legal budgets.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal, regulatory, operational, and reputational risks through the development of effective controls, policies, and risk management practices.
• Provide legal counsel on real estate, property, leasing, land holdings, and dealer facility matters across North America.
• Oversee legal and compliance requirements associated with government and defense contracting, including DFARS compliance, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), DIBCAC audit readiness, and contractual obligations.
• Advise and support Human Resources on employment law matters, executive employment agreements, restrictive covenants, workplace investigations, labor relations, employee disputes, and employment litigation.
• Partner with the UK Group General Counsel on intellectual property matters, supporting brand protection, trademark enforcement, and intellectual property risk management.
• Lead legal support for mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic investments, business integrations, and other corporate transactions.
• Provide legal oversight and support for JCB Finance operations and related commercial financing activities throughout North America.
• Direct enterprise ethics, compliance, and internal investigation programs, promoting a culture of integrity, accountability, and regulatory adherence.
• Lead the Company's response to product recalls, regulatory investigations, government inquiries, compliance incidents, and other crisis or reputational risk events.
• Drive legal operations excellence through the implementation of legal technology, contract lifecycle management systems, process improvements, knowledge management, and outside counsel governance to improve efficiency and scalability.
• Monitor changes in legal and regulatory requirements, proactively advising leadership on emerging risks, obligations, and business impacts.

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, with the ability to practice or obtain admission in Georgia and/or Texas.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive legal experience, including significant experience in both private practice and in‑house legal environments.
• Extensive experience drafting, negotiating, and managing complex commercial agreements.
• Demonstrated experience advising executive leadership teams on legal, regulatory, governance, and business matters.
• Proven experience managing litigation, external counsel, and legal budgets.
• Strong knowledge of commercial law, contract law, corporate governance, employment law, litigation management, and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to operate independently as the senior legal leader while effectively partnering with executives and business stakeholders.
• Must pass any drug screens, background checks, and any pre‑employment tests, which will be conducted in accordance with applicable law.

Preferred Qualifications

• Additional qualifications or certifications in business, finance, compliance, risk management, or corporate governance.
• Experience within manufacturing, industrial, construction equipment, automotive, engineering, agriculture equipment, or other heavy equipment industries.
• Experience supporting dealer, distributor, franchise, or independent channel networks.
• Experience with product liability, product safety, warranty, and regulatory compliance matters.
• Experience supporting imported products, international supply chains, and global operations.
• Experience with government contracting, defense contracting, DFARS compliance, CUI requirements, and DIBCAC audit readiness.
• Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic investments, and post‑acquisition integration.
• Experience establishing, building, or transforming an in‑house legal function.
• Experience implementing legal technology solutions, contract lifecycle management systems, and legal operations best practices.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Competencies

Comprehensive knowledge of commercial law, contract law, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, employment law, litigation management, intellectual property, dealer/distribution networks, product liability, and international trade regulations. Ability to provide practical, business‑focused legal counsel while balancing legal risk with commercial objectives. Strong contract drafting, negotiation, dispute resolution, and strategic transaction management skills. Demonstrated ability to influence executive leadership, build trusted stakeholder relationships, and develop scalable legal and compliance frameworks. Exceptional analytical, problem‑solving, decision‑making, communication, and presentation abilities. Proven capability to manage multiple priorities, lead crisis response efforts, and operate effectively in a fast‑paced, evolving environment. High integrity, sound judgment, strong business acumen, and a proactive, solutions‑oriented mindset. Collaborative, resilient, and adaptable leader with a hands‑on approach, strong accountability, and the ability to build credibility across all levels of the organization.

Job Conditions

Both office environment and occasionally manufacturing/factory environment. Subject to noise and temperature changes.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those required of an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: Remain stationary, operate hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and move and/or walk. The employee must frequently move and/or transport up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Equal Opportunity Employer

JCB is an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. JCB complies with applicable state and local laws governing non‑discrimination in employment at every location where the company has facilities. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability statute, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, and local laws. EEO EMPLOYER/VET/DISABLED.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

JCB complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the JCB Human Resources team at [e-mail].

Visa/Sponsorship Policy

JCB Inc. is not currently hiring individuals for this position who now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status; however, as a global company, JCB offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S., which can be found through our website at https://www.jcb.com/en-gb/about/careers.

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: This job description is general in nature and is not designed to contain or to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.