Counsel, Special Investigations, Legal and Compliance

General Motors • Detroit, MI

1d • Remote

About The Position

Counsel - Special Investigations, Legal and Compliance will lead and support sensitive internal investigations involving alleged violations of law, company policy, and ethical standards, including matters such as fraud, intellectual property theft, embezzlement, conflicts of interest, collusion, kickbacks, bribery, FCPA and other anti-bribery/anti-corruption concerns, export compliance issues, and records falsification. This role also serves as a trusted legal and compliance advisor to business partners by providing practical counsel on a broad range of compliance matters in the United States and, where U.S. law is implicated, internationally. In addition to investigations work, this position will help strengthen GM’s compliance culture by developing and delivering impactful compliance communications, training, and awareness initiatives. The ideal candidate brings sound judgment, strong investigative and legal skills, executive presence, and the ability to work cross-functionally on complex and often sensitive matters. As a member of the GM Legal Staff, Counsel is expected to deliver high-performance legal services with integrity and professionalism. The Legal Staff partners closely with the business to provide timely, practical, and best-in-class legal and business advisory support while protecting GM’s legal, ethical, and financial integrity.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school
• Active license to practice law in the United States
• 5+ years of relevant legal experience in a major law firm, in-house legal department, government role, or a combination thereof
• Meaningful experience in one or more of the following areas: internal investigations, compliance, white collar matters, employment law, government investigations, or prosecutorial work
• Demonstrated experience handling sensitive investigations involving potential misconduct, fraud, or compliance concerns
• Working knowledge of U.S. anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, as well as export compliance requirements
• Strong analytical, interviewing, writing, and oral communication skills
• Ability to assess issues objectively, manage ambiguity, and reach sound, well-supported conclusions
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and drive matters through to completion
• Strong judgment, professionalism, and discretion in handling confidential matters
• Ability to collaborate effectively across functions and build credibility with business and legal stakeholders
• Ability to communicate complex issues clearly and effectively to senior leadership
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally on occasion, including with limited advance notice

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience with the U.S. Department of Justice, a prosecutor’s office, regulatory enforcement body, or comparable investigative function
• In-house experience supporting compliance programs, internal reviews, third-party due diligence, or risk assessments
• Experience advising multinational organizations on matters involving U.S. law with international business implications
• Experience developing compliance training, awareness campaigns, or leadership communications
• Experience evaluating internal controls and recommending remediation to address control gaps
• Familiarity with large, matrixed organizations and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments
• Broad understanding of how legal, compliance, HR, security, audit, and operational teams intersect during investigations

Responsibilities

• Develop investigative strategies and workplans for allegations of misconduct, fraud, policy violations, and other high-risk matters
• Conduct prompt, thorough, and objective investigations in accordance with professional and legal standards
• Identify, gather, and assess relevant sources of information, including documents, data, financial records, and witness testimony
• Conduct effective informational and interrogatory interviews
• Evaluate facts, identify key issues, and determine investigative findings based on evidence and sound legal judgment
• Prepare clear, concise, and defensible written investigative materials and present findings to appropriate stakeholders in a timely manner
• Recommend corrective actions, process improvements, and internal control enhancements based on investigative outcomes
• Maintain strict confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion
• Continually assess and improve investigative processes to drive efficiency, consistency, and quality
• Provide practical legal and compliance counsel on issues involving anti-bribery and anti-corruption, conflicts of interest, export compliance, third-party risk, and related compliance matters
• Partner with business leaders and cross-functional teams to support compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies
• Support and help maintain an effective compliance program through risk-based guidance, issue spotting, and proactive partnership
• Lead or support detailed due diligence reviews of proposed business partners and other third parties
• Evaluate business proposals, transactions, and ongoing activities to assess compliance risk and recommend appropriate safeguards
• Support compliance-related audits, monitoring activities, and remediation efforts
• Help identify trends, emerging risks, and opportunities to strengthen GM’s compliance framework
• Develop, execute, and continuously improve compliance messaging and training to reinforce a strong culture of integrity
• Support the design and delivery of employee training programs, leadership integrity messaging, and awareness initiatives
• Assist with fraud awareness efforts and support GM’s fraud risk assessment process
• Translate complex legal and compliance concepts into practical, business-friendly guidance for a variety of audiences
• Work closely with Audit, Security, HR, Compliance, Legal, and other internal stakeholders on investigations and compliance matters
• Build trusted relationships across the organization and serve as a pragmatic, approachable advisor
• Develop a strong understanding of GM’s global operations and the business context in which legal and compliance risks arise
• Communicate effectively with senior leaders on sensitive or complex issues, including investigative findings and risk-based recommendations

Benefits

• From day one, we're looking out for your well-being–at work and at home–so you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree