VP and General Counsel Americas

dormakaba Americas; Indianapolis (IN); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

Parental Leave

401k Matching Plan

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Assistance Programs

Job summary

dormakaba Americas is looking for a VP and General Counsel in Indianapolis, IN. This hybrid position calls for a legal leader with over 15 years of experience to provide strategic guidance across diverse legal domains and support the company’s commercial objectives. Candidates should hold a J.D. and have a proven track record in negotiations, compliance, and managing cross-border business operations. The company prioritizes employee wellness with comprehensive benefits starting on Day One, providing opportunities for growth and development.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of relevant legal experience in law firm or in-house.
• Ability to become licensed in Indiana within a reasonable time.
• Experience supporting M&A activity and commercial contracting.

Responsibilities

• Lead and negotiate complex high-value agreements.
• Provide timely legal guidance to leadership.
• Manage compliance with local legal requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Project Management

Legal Advisory

Contract Negotiation

Cross-Border Operations

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Job description

Position Overview

dormakaba is seeking a VP and General Counsel Americas based in Indianapolis, IN (hybrid). The VP and General Counsel Americas reports to the Chief Legal Officer and is responsible for providing senior-level, practical, business-focused legal leadership directly influencing the commercial trajectory and risk profile of the American market (including USA, Canada, Central, and South America). Working within a highly collaborative legal group, the VP and General Counsel will navigate complex cross-border business models and bring seasoned executive judgment to an evolving operational landscape. This is a broad-scope leadership role for an expert generalist who drives organizational growth by delivering clear legal guidance that moves the business forward in a technology-driven manufacturing and SaaS environment.

What You Will Do

• Lead the drafting, review, and negotiation of complex, high‑value commercial agreements across all business units, with a strong focus on technology‑enabled and SaaS‑related offerings, ensuring alignment with business strategy and risk profile
• Serve as a trusted legal advisor to regional leadership and Executive Committee members, providing clear, timely, and pragmatic guidance that supports commercial objectives while enabling balanced, risk‑aware decision‑making
• Establish and maintain a robust legal footprint across all countries in the region, including entity management, contractual frameworks, governance standards, and compliance with local legal requirements
• Develop, optimize and standardize contract templates, playbooks, and automated workflows to drive efficiency and consistency
• Lead and transform the Americas Group Legal team into a high-performance organization, capable of managing high volume contractual and advisory workloads efficiently while prioritizing the most critical business and risk matters
• Deliver broad-based legal counsel across core areas of law, including commercial contracts, intellectual property, litigation, employment, real estate, data protection, and regulatory matters

What we require

• J.D. from an accredited law school and admission to at least one U.S. state bar, with ability to become licensed in Indiana within a reasonable time
• 15+ years of relevant legal experience (law firm, in‑house or a combination)
• Leadership and team building experience
• Experience supporting M&A activity and commercial contracting, complemented by strong project management capabilities and a track record of contributing to transformation initiatives within a global organization
• Experience operating across the Americas, supporting cross‑border business operations

What we prefer

• Background supporting SaaS or cloud‑based products
• Understanding of data privacy and digital compliance frameworks
• Familiarity with Intellectual Property Protection and related compliance requirements
• Exposure to trade compliance matters in a global context
• Experience with litigation and dispute resolution, including oversight of external legal counsel

What we offer

• Taking Care of our Employees on Day One with Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability Insurance coverage options. No waiting periods!
• Your health is our priority, we offer Medical Wellness Programs to aid in your well‑being
• Vacation and Personal Time Off
• We support your growing family; we provide Parental Leave for Moms and Dads!
• Wisely plan for your future with our 401k Matching plan beginning on Day One
• Supporting your career development with our Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Robust culture supporting internal advancement with our Learn and Grow Program
• 24/7 access to over 15,000 LinkedIn Learning courses to assist in your professional development and to expand on your individual interests.
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Voluntary Legal Insurance
• Unlimited Referral Reward Bonuses
• Corporate Discounts for shopping, travel and more!

Who we are

We are at the heart of every place that matters. From automatic doors to cloud-based access management – as a leading global provider in the access solutions market for schools, banks, airports, hospitals, hotels, and many more, we enable seamless movement within secure, safe, and sustainable places. With over 160 years of experience and a focus on excellence and innovation, we offer exciting opportunities to grow in an environment where you can make a real impact. At dormakaba, you are encouraged to take initiative, develop your skills, and build your career alongside 16,000 experts worldwide who are setting industry standards every day.

Work in a place where you matter – apply now!