The Legal Counsel will provide proactive legal advice, manage compliance with US/UK laws, and support various legal activities within the company, including contract negotiation and risk mitigation.
Woven by Toyota is enabling Toyota’s once-in-a-century transformation into a mobility company. Inspired by a legacy of innovating for the benefit of others, our mission is to challenge the current state of mobility through human-centric innovation — expanding what “mobility” means and how it serves society.
Our work centers on four pillars: AD/ADAS, our autonomous driving and advanced driver assist technologies; Arene, our software development platform for software-defined vehicles; Woven City, a test course for mobility; and Cloud & AI, the digital infrastructure powering our collaborative foundation. Business-critical functions empower these teams to execute, and together, we’re working toward one bold goal: a world with zero accidents and enhanced well-being for all.
We are seeking a Legal Counsel, U.S. & UK, reporting to the Head of Legal, U.S. & UK, to support the Head of Legal and three other US/UK Legal Team members and the business in handling all manner of in-house Legal matters. We are a tight-knit, collaborative team in need of a fourth attorney to help the business change mobility as we know it for our customer and parent company, Toyota Motor Company. We are looking for a strategic, emotionally intelligent legal professional with 6-10+ years of legal experience to help build and enhance the in-house Legal Team by providing proactive, practical, risk-based legal advice to support the US and UK businesses. We are looking for a team player to support the business with practical legal advice to help the company thrive.
The experienced legal professional we are seeking will work primarily with the US/UK attorneys and paralegal but will also support the Legal Team in Japan to ensure the company adheres to all legal standards and requirements and company policies. The legal counsel will be responsible for helping to ensure the company is operating within its stated policies, developing and revising policies and procedures as needed, and supporting compliance with all applicable US/UK laws and regulations as well as providing guidance to the business and Legal Team colleagues on legal and compliance matters in the UK and US.
A successful Legal Counsel will be well-versed in identifying business activities that may pose legal risks to the business and knows how to approach a set of facts to determine and then set forth for the business in a timely fashion, the range of practical, legally compliant risk based options. The successful candidate will be a professional with high ethical standards who will work diligently to complete their duties while being mindful of the objectives of the business. Emotional intelligence is key to success in this role as well as the ability to work with multiple stakeholders in Japan and the US and UK on both day to day legal issues and high visibility projects and critical legal matters. Good cheer, flexibility and excellent written and oral communication skills are required.
Job Responsibilities
- Core compliance activities for autonomous vehicle regulatory schemes, permits and all laws and regulations related thereto including safety regulations.
- Trade Compliance work to support US and UK import and export activities and development of policies for the company regarding all aspects of trade compliance.
- Employment Benefits - support Benefits team with regards to Benefits for US and UK employees.
- HR matters - support the Legal team in their work with HR related employee matters in both the US and UK.
- Risk Mitigation: risk analysis and mitigation related to all legal risks.
- Corporate governance duties to support US & UK and Japan Legal.
- Handle general legal matters to develop creative solutions as an integral part of a high performing in-house Legal team that collaborates with a positive attitude, effectively and efficiently with the broader global Legal team to protect and promote the companys' interests.
- Draft and negotiate agreements, contracts and other legal documents to protect the companys' interests.
- A true "team player" within and outside the Legal team with active listening, empathy, inclusivity, modeling company values to maximize the performance of teams and individuals.
- Advise and support on corporate matters such as legal entities and intercompany arrangements.
- Provide cross jurisdictional strategic counsel to the Head of U.S. and UK Legal and the Legal Team and business as necessary.
- Advise on emerging legal and regulatory risks.
- Communicate and negotiate with external parties as necessary (regulators, external counsel, public authorities etc.), creating relationships of trust.
Qualifications
- 6-10+ years of relevant legal experience, including in both a corporate inhouse Legal department and in a US law firm
- JD required from a US, ABA accredited law school
- Experience managing outside counsel
- Experience working across multiple legal disciplines as needed to support the business
- Adapt to changing plans and priorities and deal comfortably with ambiguities
- Exceptionally detail-oriented and well-organized with strong time management skills and an ability to handle multiple concurrent assignments with a high degree of accuracy while meeting short deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Experience working with other global in-house counsel across legal disciplines
- Ability to work independently, as well as part of a collaborative team, and assume additional responsibilities as required
- Demonstrate sound judgment and ability to reach decisions independently with a focus on understanding the bigger picture (i.e., results-oriented, rather than task-oriented)
- Ability to develop solid, trusted relationships
- Maintain focus with a sense of urgency, while upholding respect for others
- Last but not least a great attitude, flexibility and creativity while meeting business objectives to assure legal compliance.
The base pay for this position ranges from $154,000 - $253,000 a year.
Your base salary is one part of your total compensation. We offer a base salary, short term and long term incentives, and a comprehensive benefits package. The total compensation offered to an employee will be dependent upon the individual's skills, experience, qualifications, location, and level.
WHAT WE OFFER
We are committed to creating a modern work environment that supports our employees and their loved ones. We offer many options of the best programs to allow you to do your most meaningful work and to help you shape the future of mobility.
・Excellent health, wellness, dental and vision coverage
・A rewarding 401k program
・Flexible vacation policy
・Family planning and care benefits
Our Commitment
・We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity.
・Any information we receive from you will be used only in the hiring and onboarding process. Please see our privacy notice for more details.
Woven by Toyota Palo Alto, California, USA Office
Palo Alto, California, United States
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