Corporate Counsel, Legal Shared Services

Introduction: A Career at HARMAN Corporate

We're a global, multi-disciplinary team that's putting the innovative power of technology to work and transforming tomorrow. At HARMAN Corporate, you are integral to our company's award-winning success.

• Enrich your managerial and organizational talents - from finance, quality, and supply chain to human resources, IT, sales, and strategy

• Augment your comprehensive skillset with expert training across decision-making, change management, leadership, and business development

• Obtain 360-degree support throughout your career life cycle, from early-stage to seasoned leader

About the Role

As Corporate Counsel, Legal Shared Services, you will be a key driver of legal excellence across HARMAN's global operations. In this highly visible role, you'll navigate a broad range of legal disciplines from international commercial and contract law to IP, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance all while partnering closely with cross-functional teams worldwide.

Your Team

You will be an integral member and individual contributor of the Legal Shared Services team, collaborating closely with various practice groups within the legal and compliance department, as well as with stakeholders from different business teams. In this role, you will report to VP, Legal Shared Services.

What You Will Do

Legal Research:

• Advanced Legal Research and Analysis: Independently conduct comprehensive preliminary legal research and perform detailed legal analysis as requested by the legal and compliance team and other departments. This task requires a deep understanding of complex legal principles and the ability to synthesize information from multiple sources to provide insightful and accurate legal advice.

• Global Regulatory Updates and Coordination: Share critical updates on major laws and regulations across various countries. Coordinate these updates and the preparation of newsletters with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), ensuring that all information is accurate, timely, and relevant. Additionally, manage intricate country-level administration tasks, facilitating seamless communication and policy alignment among different jurisdictions.

Contracts:

• Comprehensive Contract Management: Independently review, draft, and negotiate a wide variety of complex global commercial agreements and amendments. This includes Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), real estate-related agreements, indirect procurement contracts, and inter-company agreements, covering all divisions and functional teams within Harman. This task requires a deep understanding of international commercial law and the ability to navigate intricate legal and business considerations.

• Strategic Collaboration and Documentation Development: Actively collaborate with other L&C staff and organizational partners to develop, update, and maintain sophisticated templates, playbooks, and other critical documentation. This involves strategic planning, continuous improvement, and ensuring that all documentation reflects the latest legal standards and best practices.

Intellectual Property (IP):

• Global Brand Authorization Management: Independently draft and manage comprehensive global brand authorization letters for import and export purposes. This task requires a deep understanding of international IP laws and regulations, as well as the ability to navigate complex legal frameworks to ensure compliance and protect the company's brand assets.

• Strategic Review of Global Promotions: At the request of the IP team, independently review and analyze terms and conditions, as well as official rules for promotions to be launched globally. This involves a thorough examination of legal implications, risk assessment, and ensuring that all promotional activities adhere to international standards and best practices.

General Legal Consultation:

• Strategic Legal Consultation for New Ventures: Act as the primary L&C point person, providing expert legal consultation services during the establishment of new plants or facilities in countries where L&C is not yet represented. This involves navigating complex legal landscapes, ensuring compliance with local regulations, and advising on strategic legal matters to facilitate smooth operations.

• Advanced Corporate Governance Management: Independently manage intricate corporate governance matters, including but not limited to Annual General Meeting filings, officer changes, business scope changes, and legal address changes. This requires a deep understanding of corporate law and the ability to handle high-stakes governance issues with precision and expertise.

• Efficient Management of Non-Complex Functions: Oversee non-complex functions that do not require direct or face-to-face interaction with the business, ensuring these tasks are managed efficiently and effectively. This involves strategic planning and the ability to streamline processes to enhance operational efficiency.

• Collaboration with External Counsel: Engage and collaborate with external counsel as needed to address complex legal issues and support litigation matters. This task demands a high level of expertise in legal strategy and the ability to coordinate with external legal professionals to achieve optimal outcomes for the company.

Regional Alignment:

• Strategic Leadership in Global Policy Implementation: Take the lead in gathering comprehensive input from each region when launching a global L&C policy or rule. This involves coordinating with regional stakeholders, synthesizing diverse perspectives, and ensuring that global policies are effectively tailored and implemented across various jurisdictions.

• Complex Cross-Divisional Coordination: Handle and coordinate intricate cross-divisional matters as requested by other practice groups. This requires consulting with L&C primary contact persons within the regions, navigating complex organizational structures, and ensuring seamless collaboration and alignment across different divisions and regions.

What You Need to Be Successful

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.

• Bar admission (or equivalent in jurisdiction) from an accredited institution.

• Licensed to practice law in the relevant jurisdiction.

• 5-10 years of relevant experience in a corporate, shared services, or law firm environment, preferably in-house.

• Ability to lead and manage complex projects independently, demonstrating strong project management skills in a highly matrixed environment.

• Strong analytical and problem solving skills, using information gathered from multiple sources to make accurate and reasonable judgments.

• Superior communication skills; a deep understanding of the business, business, and customer needs; capacity to analyze data and act on insights; and the ability to work up, down and across the company; ensuring clear and concise legal guidance.

• Hands-on experience with legal technology platforms, contract management systems, and AI-driven legal tools

• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution, managing both complex projects and day-to-day responsibilities effectively. Not afraid to get their hands dirty.

• Mindset of innovation and continuous improvement

• Uphold the highest ethical standards in all legal matters, fostering a culture of integrity and accountability

What Makes You Eligible

• Be willing to travel up to 10%, domestic and international travel.

• Be willing to work in a hybrid office environment located in Novi, Michigan or Stamford, Connecticut

• Due to the nature of global infrastructure, you understand that flexibility in working hours is required.

• Successfully complete a background investigation and drug screen as a condition of employment in United States.

What We Offer

• Flexible work environment, allowing for full-time remote work globally for positions that can be performed outside a HARMAN or customer location

• Access to employee discounts on world-class Harman and Samsung products (JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, etc.)

• Extensive training opportunities through our own HARMAN University

• Competitive wellness benefits

• Tuition reimbursement

• "Be Brilliant" employee recognition and rewards program

• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development

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