Business Commercial Counsel

About the Position

A Career at HARMAN Automotive

We’re a global, multi-disciplinary team that’s putting the innovative power of technology to work and transforming tomorrow. At HARMAN Automotive, we give you the keys to fast-track your career.

• Engineer audio systems and integrated technology platforms that augment the driving experience.
• Combine ingenuity, in-depth research, and a spirit of collaboration with design and engineering excellence.
• Advance in-vehicle infotainment, safety, efficiency, and enjoyment.

About the Role

The Business Commercial Counsel is responsible for providing legal and/or business support to the Automotive business division Customer Account Management (“CAM”) Groups and its Strategic Business Units (“SBU”) and will interface with the related business functions including but not limited to sales, engineering, product, customer service, finance, procurement, and/or supply chain function. This position will report directly to and work closely and strategically with the Director, Corporate Counsel for the Automotive Division, North America and/or legal leadership to support with senior operational, functional and/or division clients on significant matters impacting the global enterprise. The successful candidate must be able to handle complex negotiations and establish/maintain systems or structures to deliver necessary legal support and successfully and timely complete critical assignments with little to no supervision. The Business Commercial Counsel must also have a broad understanding of Harman’s business objectives, products, and the impact of external factors on the division and its CAMs and SBUs.

Responsibilities

• Sales: Strategic business partner reviewing, drafting, and negotiating a wide variety of commercial agreements and amendments, including terms and conditions, master services, delivery, cooperation, licensing, professional services, and vendor agreements. Advise business team members on HARMAN’s automotive RFQ process, including updating and maintaining RFQ offer templates used by the Automotive Division. Support resolution of commercial disputes with customers and suppliers, including management of automotive-related litigation, arbitration and mediation proceedings and guidance of external counsel.
• Compliance: Identifying legal and regulatory issues in product initiatives and customer agreements, including awareness of privacy and data security issues, and working cross-functionally with the appropriate teams to create solutions and minimize risk. Interface with the various compliance teams on regulatory issues and workstreams that arise from the CAM & SBU. This includes working with global trade compliance on global automotive trade issues. Partner with the product certification teams working on regional regulatory requirements for product certifications.
• Risk Assessment/Mitigation: Engaging strategically in risk assessment/mitigation and developing innovative approaches to legal issues in support of business objectives.
• Supply Chain Management: Engage with legal procurement, and supply chain management to address global supply chain issues.
• Warranty and Quality: Advise the Automotive warranty and quality teams on recall campaigns, customer disputes, claims, and settlements.
• Training: Prepare and conduct trainings for managers and employees on relevant legal topics.
• Collaboration: Works with business divisions, SBU, or functional teams and helps them understand, assess, and appropriately address business risks and implications and helps to influence business decisions. Directs and/or collaborates with other legal and compliance staff and organizational partners to develop, update, and maintain templates, negotiation resources and playbooks.

Requirements

• Contract Review & Negotiation: Experience with reviewing and negotiating complex commercial agreements, including commercial and technology matters involving automotive OEMs, OEM general terms and conditions, purchase and supply agreements, and licensing agreements.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with industry certifications and regulations, including safety standards (e.g. ISO 26262, NHTSA FMVSS 111) data privacy laws (e.g., GDPR and CCPA), cybersecurity (e.g. ISO/SAE 21434).
• Industry Knowledge: Understanding of the relevant industry and country laws. Automotive electronics industry, especially in-cabin user-experience technologies, infotainment, ADAS, and connectivity.
• Dispute Resolution and Litigation: Experience with negotiation and mediation to resolve contract and other commercial disputes, managing litigation and overseeing outside counsel; Ability to advise leadership on matter resolution decisions, GAR and other approval escalations.
• Contract Lifecycle Management: Experience in managing contracts from negotiation to execution and enforcement, ensuring compliance and addressing performance issues; familiarity with contract management systems and legal technology tools for streamlining contract workflows and compliance processes; ability to manage agreement templates and updates; ability to conduct contracts training for stakeholders.
• Juris Doctor and Bar admission (or equivalent in jurisdiction).
• Strong analytic and communication skills, task-focused, risk and compliance awareness, works on own initiative to get things done, is able to work under pressure and manage multiple stakeholders, well-developed project management skills. Exercises good judgement and sound decision making.
• 8+ years of relevant (generally in-house or law firm) experience and a law degree from law school.

What We Offer

• Access to employee discounts on world class HARMAN/Samsung products (JBL, Harman Kardon, AKG, etc.).
• Professional development opportunities through HARMAN University’s business and leadership academies.
• Flexible work schedule with a culture encouraging work life integration and collaboration in a global environment.
• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• “Be Brilliant” employee recognition and rewards program.

About the Company

HARMAN is committed to making every employee feel welcomed, valued, and empowered. No matter what role you play, we encourage you to share your ideas, voice your distinct perspective, and bring your whole self with you – all within a support-minded culture that celebrates what makes each of us unique. We also recognize that learning is a lifelong pursuit and want you to flourish. We proudly offer added opportunities for training, development, and continuing education, further empowering you to live the career you want.

About HARMAN: Where Innovation Unleashes Next-Level Technology

Ever since the 1920s, we’ve been amplifying the sense of sound. Today, that legacy endures, with integrated technology platforms that make the world smarter, safer, and more connected.

Across automotive, lifestyle, and digital transformation solutions, we create innovative technologies that turn ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences. Our renowned automotive and lifestyle solutions can be found everywhere, from the music we play in our cars and homes to venues that feature today’s most sought-after performers, while our digital transformation solutions serve humanity by addressing the world’s ever-evolving needs and demands. Marketing our award-winning portfolio under 16 iconic brands, such as JBL, Mark Levinson, and Revel, we set ourselves apart by exceeding the highest engineering and design standards for our customers, our partners and each other.

If you’re ready to innovate and do work that makes a lasting impact, join our talent community today!

Salary: $125,250 - $183,700

Dependent on the position offered, other forms of compensation are also available, such as bonuses or commission.

Benefits

HARMAN is interested in the health and wellbeing of you and your family and offers a range of benefits designed to support your needs for holistic wellbeing. Benefits and perks may vary depending on the nature of your employment with HARMAN, and may include paid vacation and holidays, paid sick leave, volunteer leave, and paid bonding and caregiver leave. Employees may also be eligible to participate in comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, fertility support and adoption assistance, Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts, retirement savings plan with employer match, short and long term disability coverage, life insurance, and more.

Important Notice: Recruitment Scams

Please be aware that HARMAN recruiters will always communicate with you from an '@harman.com', ‘@careers.harman.com’ or ‘@harmanglobal.avature.net’ email address. We will never ask for payments, banking, credit card, personal financial information or access to your LinkedIn/email account during the screening, interview, or recruitment process. If you are asked for such information or receive communication from an email address not ending in one of the above email domains about a job with HARMAN, please cease communication immediately and report the incident to us through: [email protected].

HARMAN is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process, please contact us at [email protected]. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.