General Counsel

The Opportunity to Make an Impact

We are seeking a business-minded General Counsel with a proven track record across multiple areas of law, including corporate governance, securities, investments, manufacturing law, distribution agreements, and labor law, while providing legal guidance and risk mitigation strategies to support the holding company’s operations and growth.

This position needs to ensure each portfolio company adheres to legal requirements and operates smoothly within their respective industries.

Success in this role also requires building trusted, respectful relationships while partnering effectively across all levels of the organization.

As the General Counsel you will translate the company’s vision into actionable legal strategies that support and protect the interests of the holding company and its portfolio businesses.

This is a hands-on role requiring exceptional critical thinking about legal and operational challenges, coupled with the ability to exercise sound judgment in complex situations.

The General Counsel is expected to translate legal strategies and advice into timely execution, measuring success by the business outcomes achieved, risks appropriately managed, and value created - not simply by the legal work performed.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide counsel to the senior management on legal matters.
• Develop and implement legal policies and procedures to mitigate risks.
• Ensure adherence to financial regulations and compliance with securities laws.
• Structure investment funds in compliance with legal and tax requirements.
• Ensure compliance with transportation regulations (e.g. vehicle safety standards, environmental regulations, emissions controls, etc.).
• Ensure compliance with the Federal Trade Commission and Franchise Rule.
• Provide legal counsel on corporate governance, strategic decision-making, and risk management across the portfolio.
• Oversee corporate governance practices and ensure adherence to best practices.
• Prepare and review corporate documents.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts and agreements, including partnership agreements, vendor contracts, supplier contracts and service agreements.
• Coordinate with external legal counsel as necessary and represent the company in legal proceedings.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks across all companies in the portfolio, including commercial disputes, regulatory violations, investment decisions and contract breaches.
• Conduct regular risk assessments and implement measures to safeguard the company’s interests.
• Provide legal support on employment law matters, including employee relations, labor disputes, and compliance with employment regulations.
• Draft and review employment contracts, non-disclosure agreements, and non-compete clauses.
• Lead the identification, evaluation, implementation, and governance of AI-enabled legal tools and technologies within the legal function to improve productivity, contract management, legal research, compliance monitoring, knowledge management, and risk assessment while ensuring appropriate controls, ethical use, data privacy, and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Minimum of 20 years of legal experience, with significant experience in corporate legal. department or law firm.
• Proven track record as a General Counsel or senior legal executive, preferably within a private. holding company or similar environment.
• Extensive knowledge of corporate, commercial, and regulatory law.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• High ethical standards and professional integrity.
• Demonstrated expertise and hands-on experience leveraging AI tools, legal technology, and workflow automation to improve legal operations, decision-making, compliance, risk management, and overall legal department effectiveness.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in manufacturing.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.

Who are we?

GVW Group is a dynamic private investment and industrial holding company dedicated since 1993 to growing and starting businesses. We take an entrepreneurial approach to building value for our scalable early stage, high-growth, and mid-sized operating companies by providing strategic expertise and resources.

Along the way, we have expanded globally into diverse industries ranging from manufacturing to technology, distribution, big data, engineering, and energy efficiency.

Benefits & Rewards

• Attractive compensation package, including base salary and incentive bonus opportunities
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off (PTO) and company holidays

Location: Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham offers the advantages of a growing Southeast business hub with a competitive cost of living, a thriving culinary and entertainment scene, and convenient access to outdoor and weekend destinations.

Our Birmingham facility is located approximately 20 minutes from downtown Birmingham, providing convenient access to the city while maintaining an accessible commute.

Job Duties Disclaimer: The duties and responsibilities outlined here are representative but not exhaustive of the tasks the employee may be required to perform. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other responsibilities as necessary to meet business needs.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Autocar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable Accommodations: Autocar complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Employees who require assistance or accommodation should contact Human Resources.