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.

Posting Information

We provide a scheduled posting end date to assist our candidates with their application planning. While this date reflects our latest plans, it is subject to change, and postings may be extended or removed earlier than expected.

We Take Care of Our Team

Position offers a starting salary range of $144,000 - $184,000 USD. Pay offered dependent on knowledge, skills, and experience​.

As part of a competitive total rewards package, this management-level position includes a company vehicle. Benefits include 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.

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.

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.

#LI-JN2 #LI-Hybrid

Where We Work

This position is open to applicants who can work in (or relocate to) the following location(s)- Fort Mill, SC US. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Schedule Type: Hybrid (4 days per week in-office / 1 day remote). This schedule builds our #OneTeamBestTeam culture, provides an unparalleled customer experience, and creates innovative solutions through in-person collaboration.

At Daimler Truck North America, we recognize our world is changing faster than ever before. By listening to the needs of today, we’re building to solve with cutting-edge solutions in sustainability and future driving technology across electric, hydrogen and autonomous. These solutions, backed by years of innovative success and achievement, continue DTNA’s legacy as the undisputed industry leader. Our evolving brand portfolio is second to none, including Freightliner Trucks, Western Star, Demand Detroit, Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis, and Financial Services. Together, we work as one team towards our envisioned future – building a cleaner, safer and more efficient tomorrow for all. That is what we are working toward - for all who keep the world moving.

Additional Information

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. Final candidate 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. EEO - Disabled/Veterans. Daimler Truck North America is committed to workforce inclusion and providing an environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, age, marital status, family relationship, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (including transgender and transitioning status), genetic information, or veteran status. For an accommodation or special assistance with applying for a posted position, please contact our Human Resources department at 503-745-8982 or toll free 800-206-3369. For TTY/TDD enabled call 503-745-2137 or toll free 866-355-6935.