Corporate Counsel - Financial Services (Supporting DTFS Canada)

Daimler Truck AG•Fort Mill, SC

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Inside the Role Supporting Canada Through Transformation Daimler Truck Financial Services (DTFS) is transforming into a fully integrated North American organization, with its North American headquarters moving to Charlotte, North Carolina. As part of this transition, DTFS will centralize Legal & Compliance support in the United States while continuing to operate in Canada, a highly regulated and strategically important market. Although the Canadian employee footprint is smaller, DTFS Canada requires dedicated legal leadership, strong regulatory expertise, and close cross border collaboration to ensure compliance, risk management, and business continuity. This Corporate Counsel role is uniquely positioned at the intersection of strategy and execution. Based in the U.S. and embedded within the DTFS North America Legal team, the role serves as the primary legal lead for DTFS Canada, overseeing Canadian legal matters end to end while helping shape how legal services are delivered in a centralized, regional operating model. The role provides continuity for the Canadian business while supporting DTFS’s broader objective of building a more resilient, efficient, and forward looking organization. About the Role DTFS is seeking an experienced Corporate Counsel with a strong background in financial services and commercial lending to support its captive finance business, with primary responsibility for all DTFS Canada legal matters. This role is embedded within the DTFS U.S. Legal Team in Charlotte, NC and serves as the sole legal lead for the Canadian business. The role partners closely with U.S. and Canadian business, compliance, and risk stakeholders to address cross border legal requirements, advance business objectives, and manage regulatory, contractual, and operational risk across jurisdictions.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
Licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
Strong commercial finance experience.
Ability to provide practical legal guidance in a regulated, cross‑border environment.
Strong knowledge of commercial lending and secured transactions, including U.S. secured transactions (including UCC Article 9).
Experience in commercial lending, transactional work, and financial services law, gained in a law firm and/or in‑house setting.
Excellent legal research and analytical skills, with the ability to translate complex legal issues into practical, business‑focused advice.
Sound legal judgment and decision‑making skills, particularly in areas involving risk management, dispute resolution, and commercial or vendor contracting.
Ability to stay current on legal developments affecting commercial finance and financial services through ongoing professional development.
Strong communication and collaboration skills, with experience working across functions and supporting stakeholders in both Canada and the United States.
Proven ability to manage multiple complex matters in a fast‑paced environment with competing priorities.

Nice To Haves

Canadian bar admission.
Familiarity with Canadian PPSA/RDPRM concepts and cross‑border considerations.

Responsibilities

Serve as the senior legal authority for all DTFS Canada legal matters, ensuring compliance with Canadian federal and provincial laws, regulatory expectations, and company policies.
Provide strategic legal advice on Canadian commercial finance transactions, including dealer financing, retail loans, lease and fleet financing, and small‑business credit facilities.
Advise on high‑impact matters such as major dealer defaults or restructurings, regulatory investigations, class action litigation, privacy incidents, and other complex Canadian legal issues.
Engage, manage, and oversee external Canadian counsel, ensuring high‑quality, cost‑effective support and consistent legal positions across jurisdictions.
Monitor Canadian legislative, regulatory, and jurisprudential developments and translate requirements into practical business guidance.
Provide legal guidance on key DTFS Canada projects, transactions, and strategic initiatives, including new products, programs, and joint ventures.
Support product development by identifying legal requirements early and advising on compliant, commercially viable solutions.
Deliver transactional counseling and training to business teams on contractual obligations and regulatory constraints.
Advise on dealer and fleet workouts and restructurings, including drafting and negotiating waivers, loan modifications, forbearance agreements, and related documentation.
Support DTFS Canada’s regulatory compliance efforts, including credit laws, privacy and data protection, anti‑corruption, and anti‑money laundering (AML) obligations.
Serve as the AML Officer and Privacy Officer for DTFS Canada.
Advise on policy compliance, licensing, regulatory filings, audits, and regulatory inquiries, escalating issues to senior management as appropriate.
Coordinate with U.S. compliance colleagues to maintain alignment with North American and group standards.
Oversee and manage litigation and dispute matters involving DTFS Canada, including collections, contract disputes, class actions, and regulatory enforcement actions.
Develop litigation strategy and supervise outside counsel in alignment with DTFS’s risk appetite.
Proactively identify and mitigate legal and regulatory risks, including advising on credit, compliance, data protection, and information security matters.
Partner with cross‑functional teams across the U.S. and Canada, including Sales, Credit, Operations, Client Services, Collections, Remarketing, and Procurement.
Provide practical, business‑focused legal guidance to support day‑to‑day operations and urgent business needs.
Review, draft, and negotiate a broad range of contracts and legal documents, including vendor agreements and dealer/fleet financing documentation.
Develop and deliver training on legal requirements, policies, and best practices to business teams.
Translate complex legal requirements into clear, actionable guidance for stakeholders across North America.

Benefits

annual bonus program
401k company contribution with company match up to 6% as well as non-elective company contribution of 3 - 7% depending on age
starting at 4 weeks paid vacation
13+ calendar holidays
8 weeks paid parental leave
employee assistance program
comprehensive healthcare plans and wellness programs
onsite fitness (at some locations)
tuition assistance and volunteer paid time off
short-term and long-term disability plans