Senior Counsel, Product Development

Auto req ID: 54918

Title: Senior Counsel, Product Development

Job Function: Legal

Location: PDC

Workplace Category:Onsite

Company: Harley-Davidson Motor Company

Full or Part-Time: Full Time

Shift: SHIFT1

At Harley-Davidson, we are building more than machines. It’s our passion and commitment to continue the evolution of this storied brand, and heighten the desirability of the Harley-Davidson experience. To keep building our legend and leading our industry through innovation, evolution, and emotion we need the best and brightest talent. We stand for the timeless pursuit of adventure. Freedom for the soul. Are you ready to join us?

The Harley-Davidson Motor Company Product Development Center (PDC) located in Wauwatosa, WI is home to the mantra – You dream it. We build it. Join our team as a Senior Counsel, Product Development.

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.
  
  

Harley-Davidson is an equal opportunity employer that continues to build a culture of inclusion, belonging and equity through our commitment to attracting and retaining diverse talent from all backgrounds, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. We believe in fairness and providing a level playing field for all. We foster a culture that thrives on diverse perspectives and contributions to ignite the creativity and innovation to fuel our business and enhance the employee and customer experience.

The pay range shown represents the national average pay range for this role. Your pay may be more or less than the stated range and is dependent on your geographic location and level of experience.

We offer an inclusive compensation package for all full-time salaried employees including, but not limited to, annual bonus programs, health insurance benefits, a 401k program, onsite fitness centers and employee stores, employee discounts on products and accessories, and more. Learn more about Harley-Davidson here.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.

Direct Reports: No

Travel Required: 0 - 10%

Pay Range: $170,400 - $272,500

Visa Sponsorship: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or visa transfer

Relocation: This position is eligible for domestic relocation assistance (within posted country)