Head of Law, Automotive North America

Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation. In 2021, Continental generated sales of €33.8 billion and currently employs more than 190,000 people in 58 countries and markets. On October 8, 2021, the company celebrated its 150th anniversary.

As the Head of Law, North America your role is to:

• Ensure value adding, high quality and efficient legal advice to all Automotive Business clients in the North America Region in all legal matters as well as to the Key Account Managers, in all matters related to Continental`s business relations with Original Equipment Manufacturers
• Communicate effectively with governments, associations and other interest groups to lobby for the company`s interests after having defined the relevant targets together with the business functions and work closely with other governmental and public relations functions in the Continental Group
• Ensure “business strategy focused” legal advice and align Region members with Continental’s customer centricity approaches in the various countries
• Develop and lead as a member of the Global Law Department’s (GLD) Senior Management Team the GLD’s strategy, while aligning with the Group Strategy
• Ensure value adding, high quality and efficient legal advice (e.g. R&D, Purchasing, Logistics, Sales & Marketing, Real Estate, Claims & Litigation, Criminal Law, Insolvency, and Strategic Projects)
• Further develop the organizational structure and teams under supervision according to Continental`s needs and strategy
• As a member of the GLD’s Senior Management Team, collaborate with the other members and the General Counsel on GLD topics, such as coordination of legal services, strategy, initiatives, budget, and resources
• Develop the GLD`s strategy and implement initiatives to achieve GLD KPI’s and overall goals
• Provide expert and strategic legal advice to management in complex matters with significant risk potential
• Anticipate issues and opportunities and estimate and assess risks, evaluate and weigh multiple inputs and impacts of possible decisions or course of action

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree
• Juris Doctorate Degree with license to practice law in the United States (Michigan or Illinois preferred).
• Minimum 15 years’ professional working experience & 10 years of substantive employment experience with a corporate legal department or a law firm
• Minimum 3 years’ practical experience in Leadership or Managing a team (10 years preferred)
• Minimum 2 years’ international experience (working abroad)
• Good oral and written communication skills. Ability to write clearly and prepare professional communications. Strong negotiation skills.
• Strong intercultural competence.
• Strong English-language skills required. Other language skills are a plus.
• Ability to develop strategic vision and objectives
• In-depth understanding of how legal issues affect organizations, ability to combine legal and commercial competence
• Ability to communicate and to motivate and inspire team members to ensure effective collaboration and good performance
• Cost consciousness and ability to use available resources efficiently
• Ability and willingness to travel. Initially could be up to 40% - 50%, business trips between locations in the U.S., Germany, and Mexico

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

EEO-Statement:

EEO / AA / Disabled / Protected Veteran Employer. Continental offers equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, without regard to unlawful consideration to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. In addition, as a federal contractor, Continental complies with government regulations, including affirmative action responsibilities, where they apply. To be considered, you must apply for a specific position for which Continental has a current posted job opening. Qualifying applications will be considered only for the specific opening(s) to which you apply. If you would like to be considered for additional or future job openings, we encourage you to reapply for other opportunities as they become available. Further, Continental provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance in the application process, please reply to [email protected] or contact US Recruiting at 248.393.5566. This telephone line and email address are reserved solely for job seekers with disabilities requesting accessibility assistance or an accommodation in the job application process. Please do not call about the status of your job application, if you do not require accessibility assistance or an accommodation. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or non-disability related technical issues, will not receive a call back.

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