Sr. corporate counsel

Be essential at Cars Commerce

At Cars Commerce, we’re fanatical about simplifying everything about car buying and selling. We do right by our customers and consumers to better connect the industry with simplified and tierless technology to enhance, measure and drive local automotive retail. Whether through our No.1 most recognized marketplace, Cars.com, our industry-leading digital experience, Dealer Inspire, our trade and appraisal technology, AccuTrade, our reputation-based digital wholesale auction marketplace, Dealerclub, or our new Cars Commerce Media Network, Cars Commerce is essential for success in the automotive industry.

No one ever travels alone here: at its core, Cars Commerce is collaboration. In fact, it’s built into the very fabric of our shared values. We like to say we Rise Together – putting people at the center of what we do, from consumer to customer to community. Life at Cars Commerce makes it easy when we share the ethos to be Open to All, encouraging open-minded communication because we know diverse thinking yields better outcomes. But critical to our success is Caring to Challenge and Taking Ownership, fueling a competitive spirit in a respectful environment where we think about tomorrow but act today. At our foundation, we have integrity, Doing the Right Thing, even when it’s hard. It’s our shared commitment to these values that makes Cars Commerce a place where growth becomes not only possible, but downright unavoidable.

But don't take our word for it. We are proud to be named one of Built In's 2026 Best Places to Work in Chicago and across the U.S. Ready to make your mark? Join a team that's driving real change in the automotive industry.

A key member of the Legal Team, Senior Corporate Counsel collaborates with and provides legal advice and counsel to key stakeholders across the enterprise to drive Cars.com’s towards success. This position is “hands-on” with the expectation to self-start, adapt as necessary, and maintain ongoing interactions with senior and executive Cars.com leaders. In addition, Senior Counsel must be able to provide strategic business advice on an ad hoc basis on a variety of industry-specific issues related to e-commerce and automotive while considering potential legal pitfalls. Ideal candidates will endeavour to find unique and viable solutions, communicate effectively, be comfortable in a fast-paced work environment, and seek to continuously improve.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Effectively provide general legal counsel and advice to non-attorney business stakeholders concisely and precisely;
• In addition to general legal advice for various business initiatives, provide specific advice and counsel related to compliance, consumer protection, cybersecurity, data privacy, and employment laws both in the United States and Canada;
• Negotiate, review, and draft employment contracts and a variety of commercial contracts ranging from subscription contracts, SaaS contracts, NDAs, leases, advertising and media contracts, and time and materials contracts in a high volume setting;
• Review corporate policies and procedures ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws as necessary;
• Perform ad hoc legal research relating to current and new business initiatives;
• Minimize company risk by reviewing company advertising and promotional materials, ensuring compliance with applicable state consumer protection laws;
• Monitor inbound and outbound data and technology licensing activity, software and professional services agreements and trademark clearance and usage;
• Provide strategic analysis related to new business matters, and any potential or ongoing litigation;
• Manage any potential or ongoing litigation with support of outside counsel, including reviewing or drafting motions and pleadings;
• Ad hoc support on due diligence in mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance;
• Uphold the integrity and good-will of Cars.com.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Active, good standing license with at least one U.S. state bar;
• General corporate experience at a law firm or in-house legal department performing similar duties and functions as described in this position’s primary responsibilities;
• Experience reviewing and negotiating complex commercial and employment contracts;
• Knowledge of U.S. and Canadian employment, consumer protection, data privacy, and federal and state civil procedure laws;
• Litigation experience or litigation management;
• Excellent strategic and analytical skills, strong communication and presentation skills, and the ability to work well independently and on a team;

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Experience in an e-commerce, tech, or automotive-related company preferred;
• Experience with legal issues arising in product development, US federal and state data security and privacy regulations and fintech preferred.

In the spirit of pay transparency, we are excited to share the base salary range for this position. In addition to base salary, some roles are eligible for our bonus and/or equity programs, depending on level and role. Regular full-time positions are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package. If you are hired at Cars Commerce, your final base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills and/or experience. If the salary range is close to what you're seeking, then we encourage you to apply and learn more about the total compensation package for this position.

Salary Range

$154,200.00-192,750.00

Our Comprehensive Benefits Package includes:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Healthcare Plans
• New Hire Stipend for Home Office Set-Up
• Generous PTO
• Paid Holidays, Floating Holiday, Volunteer Day, Recharge Day

Learn more about our Benefits, Perks, & Culture on our LinkedIn Life Pages!

For US-based Positions: Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Please note that we are unable to sponsor employment visas at this time.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Applicants: Click here to review our Privacy Policy for Applicants. For current employees, please click here to review our California Privacy Policy for Employees.