General Counsel - NSK North American Operations

NSK; Ann Arbor Charter Township (MI); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

NSK is seeking a senior legal and compliance leader to direct NSK Americas' North American operations, guiding a small team in the US and Mexico. This role interfaces with the executive team to resolve legal issues, governance, and risk mitigation for automotive and industrial machinery markets.

The ideal candidate has a JD with 6–8+ years of relevant experience, preferably in manufacturing or automotive industries, and strong leadership, analytical, and communication skills to drive compliance

Qualifications

• JD required with 6–8 years of relevant experience, preferably 8–10 years.
• Admitted to practice law with a clean disciplinary record.
• 5+ years in manufacturing or automotive industry preferred.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Deep knowledge of automotive manufacturing, product liability, contract law, and regulatory compliance.
• Leadership and interpersonal skills; collaborative with stakeholders.
• In-house experience or with a Tier 1 automotive supplier preferred.
• Strong written and oral communication; operates with integrity and urgency.

Responsibilities

• Performs and/or manages hands-on legal work across corporate compliance, contracts, credit, insurance, financing, IP, and employment matters.
• Oversee corporate governance and compliance, including policy development.
• Ensure external compliance with federal, state, and local laws/regulations.
• Maintain relations with government agencies.
• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts with business units.
• Coordinate with outside counsel.
• Maintain legal systems and file management; manage outside attorney billing.
• Provide training and lead special projects.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Communication

Regulatory compliance

Contract law

Litigation management

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Lead and direct the legal and compliance function for NSK Americas' North American operations, including management of a small team of professionals in the US and Mexico. This position will engage with the executive team on resolution of legal issues, corporate compliance, governance and risk mitigation. NSK Americas is a subsidiary of NSK Limited (Japan). NSK serves both the automotive and industrial machinery markets and has manufacturing operations located within North America. The ideal candidate would have 7 to 10 years of experience, with expertise working in related industries.

Activities and Responsibilities

• Performs and/or manages hands-on legal work in a range of areas including corporate compliance, commercial transactions, credit, insurance, financing, collections, patent, intellectual property and copyrights matters, litigation management, employment, labor relations and other regulatory matters.
• Oversee corporate governance and compliance (including development of policies and procedure)
• External compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations
• Relations with government agencies
• Execution of commercial contracts, including interaction with business units in the preparation of contracts and advising on acceptable terms and conditions.
• Coordination with outside counsel
• Maintains legal systems and infrastructure, including file management, engagement of outside counsel, negotiating and management of outside attorney billing
• Training and special projects.

Qualifications

This job requires a minimum of a Juris Doctor (JD) Degree and 6 to 8 years of position-related experience; preferably 8 to 10 years of position-related experience.

• Admitted to practice law with a clean disciplinary record
• Minimum of 5 years of experience preferably within the manufacturing or automotive industry or a related sector.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• In-depth understanding of legal principles, including those related to automotive manufacturing, product liability, contract law, and regulatory compliance
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders
• Detail-oriented and proactive in identifying and addressing potential legal issues
• Previous experience in an in-house legal role or with a Tier 1 automotive supplier preferred
• Strong written and oral communication with the ability to communicate efficiently with all levels of management, co-workers, and subordinates
• Is thorough, accurate, and reliable when performing and completing job tasks; demonstrates honesty and integrity in all aspects of work
• Works with sense of urgency to meet needs of customers

Equal Opportunity Employer

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