Corporate Counsel – Labor & Employment

Inside the Role

Join Daimler Truck North America as a Corporate Counsel – Labor & Employment and help support the people, operations, and labor strategy behind North America's leading commercial vehicle manufacturer. This role sits within the Legal Department as part of the Labor, Employment & Immigration team and reports to the Associate General Counsel – Labor, Employment & Immigration. This role will also work closely with the Director of Labor Relations and will act as an advisor to both the labor relations and human resources teams providing strategic counsel on contract negotiations, collective bargaining agreement interpretation, labor-management relations, grievance administration, arbitrations, and employment law counseling. You will help drive proactive legal engagement, practical risk mitigation, and effective workforce practices in a complex, highly unionized operating environment. We are looking for a collaborative, business-minded attorney with strong management-side labor and employment experience, sound judgment, and the ability to provide clear, practical legal advice in a fast-paced environment.

What You Drive at DTNA

• Provide practical, business-oriented legal advice on labor and employment matters, with a focus on unionized operations.
• Develop collective bargaining strategy, conduct contract negotiations, draft and interpret collective bargaining agreements.
• Support grievance management, develop labor arbitration strategy, and resolve labor disputes.
• Partner with Human Resources, Labor Relations, and Operations on day-to-day labor issues, including CBA application, discipline, classifications, wage placement, and workforce practices.
• Develop and maintain relationships with Union Leadership.
• Develop, train and provide instruction necessary to support labor relations strategy and objectives.
• Provide employment law counseling on investigations, discipline, leaves and accommodations, wage and hour issues, and other workplace matters.
• Manage labor and employment litigation, administrative charges, and outside counsel as needed.
• Monitor legal developments and proactively recommend updates to practices, policies, and strategies.

Knowledge You Should Bring

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.
• 8+ years of management-side labor law experience.
• In-house legal experience or significant client counseling experience.
• Experience advising on labor relations strategy in a multi-site or matrixed organization.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. labor and employment laws, including the National Labor Relations Act and other federal and state employment laws.
• Experience advising on collective bargaining, contract administration, grievances, arbitration, and union-related matters.
• Experience drafting and negotiating collective bargaining agreements, labor policies, neutrality agreements, settlement agreements, and related labor documents.
• Experience counseling employers regarding strikes, picketing, union avoidance strategies, workforce restructuring, successor employer issues, and labor implications of corporate transactions.
• Ability to provide practical, risk-based legal advice in a business environment.
• Experience working with Human Resources, Labor Relations, operations, and senior business stakeholders.
• Experience supporting unionized manufacturing, industrial, logistics, or transportation operations.
• Experience managing outside counsel and controlling legal spend.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, sound legal judgment, and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Proven ability to champion continuous improvement and digital transformation initiatives utilizing AI tools and emerging technologies to optimize workflows, increase productivity, improve service delivery and support organizational objectives.
• Ability to influence stakeholders, build trust, and deliver practical solutions in a fast-paced environment.

Pay & Benefits

• Starting salary range of $144,000 – $184,000 USD (dependent on knowledge, skills, and experience).
• Company vehicle included as part of total rewards package.
• Annual bonus program.
• 401k company contribution with company match up to 6% as well as non-elective company contribution of 3 – 7% depending on age.
• Starting at 4 weeks paid vacation.
• 13+ calendar holidays.
• 8 weeks paid parental leave.
• Employee assistance program.
• Comprehensive healthcare plans and wellness programs.
• Onsite fitness (at some locations).
• Tuition assistance and volunteer paid time off.
• Short-term and long-term disability plans.

Schedule & Location

This position is open to applicants who can work in (or relocate to) Fort Mill, SC US. Relocation assistance is not available. Schedule Type: Hybrid (4 days per week in-office / 1 day remote).

Additional Information

This position is exempt and does not currently have any direct reports. The role reports to the Associate General Counsel – Labor, Employment & Immigration. This position is not open for Visa sponsorship or to existing Visa holders. Applicants must be legally authorized to work permanently in the country the position is located in at the time of application. Final candidate must successfully complete a criminal background check and may be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen. Contractors, professional services, or other contingent workers should confirm with their local agency if they are eligible to apply for FTE positions.

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