Managing Counsel – Transactions

TMN Toyota Motor North America Company; Plano (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Competitive health care plans

401(k) with company match

Relocation assistance (if applicable)

Paid holidays and time off

Job summary

Toyota Motor North America is seeking an experienced Managing Counsel for its Mobility Advisory Solutions within TL1 in Plano, Texas. The role focuses on leading complex transactions, advising on risk, and coordinating with global teams, including its parent in Japan, to structure deals and ensure compliance.

You will work closely with business leads to manage cross-border and domestic agreements, support real estate and technology matters, and navigate evolving mobility regulations while

Qualifications

• J.D. degree and active membership in good standing with the bar in at least one U.S. state.
• Experience working in a cross-functional or multinational team across time zones.
• Willingness to travel 15–20% domestically and internationally.
• Ability to draft and negotiate complex commercial and transactional agreements.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex strategic transactions including joint ventures, manufacturing, supply, and cross-border matters.
• Review, draft, negotiate, and manage high volumes of master services, development, manufacturing, software/hardware, and related agreements.
• Advise on legal risks and business strategy in collaboration with business leads and affiliates across regions.
• Manage trade compliance matters including export controls, sanctions, and related programs.
• Oversee outside counsel, budgets, and project coordination.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Autonomous work

Budget management

Travel readiness

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Education

J.D. degree and bar admission

Job description

Overview Who we are Collaborative. Respectful. A place to dream and do. These are just a few words that describe what life is like at Toyota. As one of the world’s most admired brands, Toyota is growing and leading the future of mobility through innovative, high-quality solutions designed to enhance lives and delight those we serve. We’re looking for talented team members who want to Dream. Do. Grow. with us.

Toyota Legal One ("TL1") is the team of highly experienced in-house attorneys and legal professionals who provide full service legal support to Toyota Motor North America and its affiliates. TL1 seeks diverse top-caliber team members who are committed to challenging the status quo and sustaining our success through continuous improvement and respect for people. Toyota does not offer support or sponsorship of job applicants for employment-based visas or any other work authorization for this role now or in the future. You must have the right to work in the United States and not require Toyota support or sponsorship for immigration-related employment (e.g., H-1B, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, TN, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, F-1 CPT, 'job flexibility benefits' [also known as I-140 or Adjustment of Status portability], etc.) now or in the future. You should not apply for this role if you will require Toyota to assist with immigration support or sponsorship now or in the future.

Who we’re looking for

The Mobility Advisory Solutions group ("MAS") within TL1 is a transaction group that has been on the forefront of Toyota’s transformation into a mobility company. MAS is closely involved in the development and the launch of new products and services at Toyota. We also partner in initiatives that influence Toyota’s new businesses that raise challenging questions and require creative and practical legal advice. TL1 is seeking an experienced transactional attorney to join MAS as a Managing Counsel. The successful candidate will be part of an exciting and diverse team that works side-by-side with our clients to provide expert counsel and guidance on a wide variety of legal issues, including research and development, strategic commercial transactions related to manufacturing operations; sales, supply and distribution arrangements, partnerships and ventures; and other complex transactions on a global scale. This is a great opportunity for an entrepreneurial, passionate, and proactive collaborator to work closely with various divisions and stakeholders within Toyota to structure transactions, manage legal risk and ensure compliance across a wide array of projects. The successful candidate reports to the Assistant General Counsel of MAS and will be part of an exciting and diverse team that works side‑by‑side with our clients to advise leadership on strategic projects involving property development, incentives and competitive practices. This position is based in Plano, Texas. The selected candidate will be expected to reside within commutable distance of this location.

What you’ll be doing

• Lead complex strategic transactions, including joint ventures, manufacturing, supply, sales, advanced technology matters, and other cross-border commercial transactions.
• Review, draft, negotiate, and manage a high volume of complex commercial agreements, including master services, vehicle development, manufacturing and supply, software and hardware, electrification, advanced technology, strategic investment and commercial collaboration agreements.
• Advise on legal issues, risks, business strategies, and complex agreement structures in an agile business environment, partnering with Toyota Motor North America business leads and executives, affiliates, and its parent company in Japan, Toyota Motor Corporation, throughout each stage of the transaction process.
• Advise on and manage trade compliance matters, including import and export controls, customs requirements, economic sanctions, rules/policies (e.g. U.S. Connected Vehicle Rule) and trade programs (e.g. USMCA).
• Stay current on emerging legal issues involving mobility, electrification, autonomous driving, AI, ridesharing, infrastructure, energy management, data connectivity, privacy, cross-border data transactions, and other advanced technology areas, while helping business clients develop practical solutions in a rapidly evolving industry.
• Support continuous improvement of standard legal processes and agreements as the company grows.
• Manage outside counsel assignments and legal spend.

What you bring

• J.D. degree and active membership in good standing in the bar of at least one U.S. state/jurisdiction.
• A minimum of 10 years of solid legal practice experience, working preferably in a major law firm and/or a multinational corporation.
• Demonstrated experience in working as part of a cross-functional or culturally diverse team, including working across multiple time zones and languages, and cultures.
• Team player with an ability to work autonomously and manage multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Ability and willingness to travel 15 to 20% of the time both domestically and internationally for "genchi genbutsu" (go and see the actual issue with your own eyes) to understand the "genba" (actual place of work) and work closely with the business teams on the front line of each matter.
• Added bonus if you have Experience working in the automotive, manufacturing, technology or mobility industry.
• Experience in complex joint ventures, real estate, technology, manufacturing, supply chain, regulatory, or compliance matters.
• Experience with/exposure to the international trade implications associated with transactions in a multinational corporate setting which should include export controls, sanctions and general import, export and supply chain considerations.
• Experience working in a dynamic international environment.
• Japanese or other bilingual language capabilities is a plus.
• Previous in-house experience, including management and supervision of outside counsel, internal budgets, and project coordination.

What We’ll Bring

• A work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career, as well as tuition reimbursement
• Team Member Vehicle Purchase Discount Toyota Team Member Lease Vehicle Program (if applicable)
• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans for your entire family
• Toyota 401(k) Savings Plan featuring a company match, as well as an annual retirement contribution from Toyota regardless of whether you contribute (if applicable)
• Paid holidays and paid time off
• Referral services related to prenatal services, adoption, childcare, schools and more
• Tax Advantaged Accounts (Health Savings Account, Health Care FSA, Dependent Care FSA)
• Relocation assistance (if applicable)

Belonging at Toyota

Our success begins and ends with our people. We embrace all perspectives and value unique human experiences. Respect for all is our North Star. Applicants for our positions are considered without regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, religion, military or veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by law.

Career Possibilities

Toyota is a place for people who dream big and are determined to make those dreams a reality. We encourage innovation and look for people who will challenge the status quo in order to make the world a better place. We thrive on teamwork and collaboration and know diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives are not only the right thing for our people, they are a business imperative. Together, we’re empowered to forge our own paths - to be agile, curious and embrace a growth mindset and immerse ourselves in situations to gain new perspectives and to inspire bold, innovative ways of thinking and working. Our success as a company is directly tied to our team members’ success, and our collective ability to give back to society through an unwavering commitment to delight our customers and make people’s lives better. If you want to be part of the next-generation of innovations that help keep the world moving, then join us. And let’s start our impossible, together.