Senior Counsel, Product Development

Description:

Job Summary:
This position will be responsible for providing guidance, direction, and day-to-day legal support to internal stakeholders of Harley-Davidson, Inc. and its affiliates. This includes stakeholders in H-D Canada, Engineering, Digital Office, Apparel & Licensing (A&L), Manufacturing, Materials, Parts & Accessories (P&A), H-D Racing, Styling, and Supply Management/Supply Base. On a broad level, the Senior Counsel – Product Development role will focus on advising internal stakeholders on complex operational, development, and regulatory matters; implementing tactics, policies, and procedures; managing outside counsel; and representing Harley-Davidson to external stakeholders.

Job Responsibilities:

• Providing primary legal support for internal stakeholders, including leaders in H-D Canada, Engineering, Digital Office, A&L, Manufacturing, Materials, P&A, H-D Racing, Styling, and Supply Management/Supply Base.
• Drafting, negotiating, revising, and finalizing a broad spectrum of agreements, including license, service, joint development, supply, software, contract manufacturing, and non-disclosure agreements.
• Managing product liability matters for H-D Canada, including coordinating with H-D's insurers and supervising outside counsel.
• Assisting with corporate disclosures and due diligence related to corporate transactions.
• Supporting compliance with applicable trade, customs, import/export, and other product development and operations-related requirements, in coordination with internal compliance functions.
• Evaluating and managing commercial disputes relating to vendors and service and logistics providers, including claims, negotiations, settlement strategy, and oversight of outside counsel where appropriate.
• Tracking legal, regulatory, and industry developments and making recommendations for continuous improvement and risk mitigation.
• Reviewing, drafting, and revising relevant internal policies, standard terms and conditions, playbooks, and training materials to ensure alignment with legal and regulatory requirements and business objectives.
• Providing practical, solutions-oriented legal advice that supports Harley Davidson's operational goals, cost initiatives, and innovation efforts while appropriately managing risk.
• Seek continuous improvement opportunities within the scope of responsibility, including contract process efficiency, risk standardization, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Intellectual property support, including potentially: assisting with Harley-Davidson's invention disclosure review process and Patent Review Committee to help ensure that Harley-Davidson's inventions are identified and patented; providing training to internal stakeholders on IP-related matters, including how to identify and protect Company IP; managing IP disputes and litigation, as well as other supplier, vendor, or third-party disputes and litigation, working with outside counsel when necessary; and supervising outside counsel in preparation and prosecution of patent applications, both domestically and internationally.

Education Requirments
Bachelor's Degree Required

Education Specifications:
Bachelor's Degree and a Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school

Experience Requirments
Required:

• Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience in a law firm and corporate legal department, including specific experience drafting and negotiating agreements in the automotive industry, namely license, service, joint development, and non-disclosure agreements.
• This position typically requires that a minimum of five (5) years of the related experience referenced above be at a corporate legal department of an automotive manufacturer or supplier.
• Strong background of providing counsel to automotive manufacturers and in drafting and negotiating various product supply, service, and software agreements, as described in more detail in the above Job Summary.
• High level of integrity as well as organization, planning, and research skills.
• Excellent judgment, analytic skills, and ability to identify all relevant issues.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills (including good listening skills) and the ability to achieve positive outcomes through influence.
• Ability to lead and/or work well in a team environment.
• Familiarity with IP issues in technology and manufacturing industries.
• Ability to respond to and provide sound legal advice for client needs consistent with corporate strategies and objectives; and, appreciation and awareness of the legal/business interface.
• Admission to the State Bar of Wisconsin, or meeting the requirements to register as an in-house counsel in Wisconsin, and successfully completing such registration within 60 days after the commencement of employment with Harley-Davidson.

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