General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer

Mobis North America•Highland Park, MI

About The Position

Mobis North America seeks an experienced General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer to serve as the senior legal executive providing strategic legal guidance and oversight across our two union production facilities located in Highland Park, MI and Toledo, OH, and our Sales Team and R&D Center, both located in Plymouth, MI. This role will be responsible for managing all legal matters of the company, with a focus on commercial matters, contract management and negotiation, labor, employment, intellectual property, compliance, and will be collaborate closely with the regional corporate headquarters, located in Atlanta, GA. This lawyer will serve as a trusted business partner to executive leadership and senior managers across the company.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from accredited law school
Active membership in good standing with Michigan state bar
Minimum 10 years of progressive legal experience, with at least 7 years in senior legal leadership role
Extensive experience negotiating and managing complex corporate contracts in manufacturing or automotive environment
Proven track record in labor relations including collective bargaining negotiations and union contract administration
Significant experience managing multi-site legal operations
In-house counsel experience in manufacturing, automotive, or related industry strongly preferred
Experience working with international headquarters and cross-cultural legal teams
Deep expertise in corporate law, commercial contracts, and M&A transactions
Comprehensive knowledge of labor and employment law, particularly NLRA and union relations
Strong understanding of automotive industry regulations and supply chain legal issues
Demonstrated ability to balance legal risk with business objectives
Excellent negotiation and conflict resolution skills
Strategic thinking with ability to translate legal concepts for non-legal audiences
Crisis management and critical decision-making capabilities
Ability to work effectively across time zones and cultural contexts
Uncompromising integrity and ethical standards
Strong executive presence and communication skills
Collaborative leadership style with ability to influence at all organizational levels
Cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively in international corporate structure
Pragmatic problem-solver with business acumen
Calm under pressure with sound judgment
Commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence
Flexibility to work across global time zones when necessary

Nice To Haves

Experience with Korean-based or international parent companies
Background in automotive tier-1 supplier environment
Experience with R&D facilities and intellectual property protection
Knowledge of OSHA, environmental regulations, and workplace safety compliance
International trade and customs law experience
Prior experience managing legal department budgets and outside counsel relationships

Responsibilities

Serve as principal legal advisor to the CEO and executive leadership team
Oversee all corporate legal matters including mergers and acquisitions, corporate structure, governance, and regulatory compliance
Develop and implement enterprise-wide legal strategies aligned with business objectives and headquarters directives
Manage relationships with outside counsel and legal service providers
Lead corporate compliance program ensuring adherence to all applicable laws and regulations
Collaborate with legal team in Seoul, South Korea on global initiatives, policy alignment, and cross-border matters
Negotiate, draft, and review complex commercial contracts including supplier agreements, customer contracts, licensing arrangements, and strategic partnerships
Provide legal oversight for automotive industry-specific agreements and OEM relationships
Manage intellectual property portfolio including patents, trademarks, and technology licensing
Oversee procurement and purchasing agreements across all facilities
Direct contract administration systems and processes to ensure compliance and risk mitigation
Coordinate with Seoul headquarters on international contracts and joint venture agreements
Lead all labor relations activities for two unionized production facilities, including collective bargaining negotiations and contract administration
Ensure compliance with National Labor Relations Act and all applicable labor laws
Partner with HR on employment law matters including discrimination, harassment, wage and hour, and workplace safety
Manage grievance procedures, arbitrations, and labor disputes
Develop proactive labor relations strategies to maintain positive union-management relationships
Advise management on union avoidance strategies and best practices
Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and business risks across the organization
Oversee litigation strategy and management for all legal proceedings
Coordinate product liability, warranty, and recall-related legal matters
Develop and maintain insurance programs in coordination with risk management
Lead internal investigations and manage regulatory inquiries
Design, implement, and oversee comprehensive compliance program including policies, training, and monitoring
Ensure compliance with automotive industry regulations, environmental laws, and international trade requirements
Maintain ethics hotline and investigation protocols
Conduct regular compliance audits and risk assessments
Serve as liaison with regulatory agencies and government entities
Align North American compliance initiatives with global compliance standards established by Seoul headquarters
Directly supervise and mentor paralegal to ensure efficient legal department operations
Provide training to business leaders on legal and compliance matters
Foster culture of integrity, ethical behavior, and legal compliance throughout the organization