Global Transactions Leader & Senior Counsel

Ford Motor Company; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Ford Motor Company in the United States seeks a Senior Counsel, Transactions and Market Compliance to act as a senior legal expert and strategic advisor across Corporate Development, Supply Chain, Product Development, and Finance. You will lead negotiations, drafting, and execution of major U.S.

and cross-border transactions, build a proactive legal team, and advise executives on risk, governance, and strategic objectives.

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school and active U.S. State Bar.
• Minimum 15 years of leadership experience in negotiating and drafting significant complex commercial agreements and U.S./global M&A.
• Substantial experience leading global supply chain transactions.
• Experience negotiating with international counterparties.
• Executive counseling to senior management on legal matters.
• Proven ability to mentor and develop a legal team.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the legal workstream on domestic and international M&A, divestitures, carve-outs, minority investments, collaborations, and JVs from strategy through close and post‑closing integration.
• Draft, structure, and negotiate complex commercial agreements and transaction documents (purchase, JV, supply, service, manufacturing, technology, licensing).
• Lead transactions involving Ford’s global supply chain, engineering, and manufacturing teams.
• Negotiate with counterparties and JV partners worldwide.
• Counsel senior management on transaction risk, governance, and execution strategy; present recommendations to executives.
• Identify and champion responsible uses of AI, automation, and legal tech to improve transaction speed and quality.
• Lead, mentor, and develop attorneys and legal professionals; coordinate cross-functional teams.
• Oversee outside counsel, including scope, staffing, budgets, and work product quality.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Drafting

Executive guidance

Communication

Cross-functional

Supply chain

AI in law

Travel

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Bar admission (US State Bar)

Job description

Ford Motor Company in the United States seeks a Senior Counsel, Transactions and Market Compliance to act as a senior legal expert and strategic advisor across Corporate Development, Supply Chain, Product Development, and Finance. You will lead negotiations, drafting, and execution of major U.S.

and cross-border transactions, build a proactive legal team, and advise executives on risk, governance, and strategic objectives.