Corporate Counsel - Employment/Contracts

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Date: Sep 28, 2024

Location: Irvine, California, US, 92606

Company: Kia America, Inc.

At Kia, we’re creating award-winning products and redefining what value means in the automotive industry. It takes a special group of individuals to do what we do, and we do it together. Our culture is fast-paced, collaborative, and innovative. Our people thrive on thinking differently and challenging the status quo. We are creating something special here, a culture of learning and opportunity, where you can help Kia achieve big things and most importantly, feel passionate and connected to your work every day.

Kia provides team members with competitive benefits including premium paid medical, dental and vision coverage for you and your dependents, 401(k) plan matching of 100% up to 6% of the salary deferral, and paid time off. Kia also offers company lease and purchase programs, company-wide holiday shutdown, paid volunteer hours, and premium lifestyle amenities at our corporate campus in Irvine, California.

Status

Exempt

Summary

The Corporate Counsel – Contracts/Employment position will provide legal counsel and guidance to all levels of the Company, including executive management. The Corporate Counsel will focus on providing legal advice regarding the Company’s: (i) commercial contracts while managing their draft, review, and revision; and (ii) employment-related matters. Other responsibilities include supporting KUS’ legal department, as needed, in all other areas.

As an integral part of the team, the Corporate Counsel will proactively assess legal risks and advise on decisions that will provide years of benefit to the overall organization.

Major Responsibilities

1st Priority - 80%
Contracts Review

  • Structure, draft, review, and negotiate a variety of contracts of all types, including vendor, sponsorship, consulting, marketing, licensing, technology, privacy, cybersecurity, facility/building leases, and other agreements
  • Draft and update model standard templates and clauses. Develop contract review processes to enhance efficiencies
  • Prepare training materials for internal clients, to include contract principles, negotiation strategy, and general procedures, etc.
  • Work with finance, procurement, and business clients to manage/supervise contract approval process

Employment 

  • Advise on a wide variety of employment-related matters, including recruiting, accommodations, leaves of absence, team member relations, compensation and benefits, HR policies and procedures, and immigration
  • Advise the Human Resources team and executives on policy decisions, emerging risk areas, and risk mitigation strategies
  • Draft and negotiate employment-related agreements
  • Draft responses to demand letters, agency matters, and other regulatory inquiries
  • Handle employment related disputes, including managing relationships and costs with outside counsel handling employment litigation

2nd Priority - 20%

Supporting the Legal Department

  • Provide support as necessary to other functions of the Legal Department, such as privacy/cybersecurity, policies and procedures, document retention, claims, litigation, compliance, and special projects as assigned by legal department management, including the General Counsel

Education/Certification

  • Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an ABA-accredited law school in the U.S.
  • California Bar admission required (for out-of-state attorney, California State Bar admission to be achieved within first year of employment)
     

Overall Experience

  • 5-8 years of relevant experience as an attorney working for a law firm or as in-house counsel
  • Top nationally ranked law school & top-tier law firm experience preferred
  • Experienced in a wide range of employment and corporate transactional matters

Directly Related Experience

N/A

Skills

Ability to build consensus with business clients in a calm and professional demeanor.
Adaptability and a willingness to work, and be cross-trained, on a broad variety of legal matters and tasks, and adjust to changing circumstances
Aptitude to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment
Excellent skills with Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.
Exceptional communication skills and interpersonal skills, both verbal and written
Outstanding writing and editing skills.
Proficiency at handling a large volume of matters, including all-sizes of contracts in combination, while maintaining excellent attention to detail
Superb organizational skills
Superior negotiating and analytical skills
The successful candidate will be a practical-minded business attorney who has a “can do” attitude, is responsible, service-driven, enthusiastic, pro-active, and takes initiative/ownership of projects

Competencies

Care for People
Chase Excellence, Every Day
Dare to Push Boundaries
Empower People to Act
Move Further, Together

Pay Range

$171,402  -  $248,498

Pay will be based on several variables that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to, job-related skills, experience, relevant education or training, etc.

 

Equal Employment Opportunities

KUS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, including pregnancy and childbirth and related medical conditions, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, legally protected physical disability or mental disability, legally protected medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, family care or medical leave status, protected veteran or military status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.  KUS complies with applicable law governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which KUS has offices.  The KUS EEO policy applies to all areas of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, discipline, termination and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment.

 

Disclaimer:  The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification and for this position.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.


Nearest Major Market: Irvine California
Nearest Secondary Market: Los Angeles
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