General Council (Chief Legal Officer) (Metro Detroit)

HCV is conducting a confidential executive search on behalf of a publicly traded high-tech, high-growth client in the Automotive, eMobility, and Motor Vehicle Manufacturing sector that has recently secured a significant new round of investment and is entering a phase of accelerated expansion and increased organizational complexity.

Over the next 12 – 18 months, the business will scale manufacturing and engineering operations, advance next-generation vehicle and mobility technologies, and navigate a range of strategic, regulatory, and commercial milestones. As a result, the company is seeking a General Counsel / Chief Legal Officer to serve as a trusted advisor to the executive leadership team and Board, while building a scalable legal and governance framework to support rapid growth. This is a rare opportunity to join an innovative automotive organization at an inflection point and play a defining role in shaping its legal strategy, risk posture, and corporate governance as it continues to scale.

The General Counsel / Chief Legal Officer will lead all legal, compliance, and governance activities across the organization, acting as the principal legal advisor to the CEO, Board of Directors, and executive leadership team. The role blends hands-on legal leadership with board-level strategic influence, supporting capital events, M&A activity, commercial growth, R&D innovation, and manufacturing expansion in a regulated, high-tech environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary legal advisor to the CEO, executive leadership team, and Board of Directors.
• Lead and oversee all corporate legal matters, including governance, compliance, and risk management.
• Support capital raising activities, investor relations, and legal aspects of financing transactions and deal structuring.
• Lead legal due diligence and execution for mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic partnerships, and restructurings.
• Oversee corporate governance, board processes, and entity management (including acting as or supporting the Corporate Secretary function).
• Lead the organization’s compliance requirements with SEC regulations, including filings such as 10-K, 10-Q, and other periodic disclosures.
• Draft, negotiate, and manage complex commercial agreements across areas such as Automotive manufacturing and supply chain, engineering and R&D, technology licensing, and IP, customer, supplier, and strategic partner contracts.
• Provide legal guidance on product development, engineering, and manufacturing operations, including risk mitigation and regulatory considerations.
• Advise on federal, state, and international regulatory matters relevant to automotive, electric vehicle, and advanced manufacturing environments.
• Oversee intellectual property strategy in partnership with engineering and R&D leadership.
• Manage external legal counsel, advisors, and consultants efficiently and cost-effectively.
• Build and scale internal legal processes, policies, and controls aligned to a high-growth organization.
• Partner closely with Finance, HR, Operations, and Engineering leadership on employment law, compliance, and operational risk matters.
• Support enterprise-wide risk management initiatives and ensure appropriate legal frameworks are in place as the business scales.

Key Requirements

• The ideal candidate will bring a combination of automotive or advanced manufacturing experience, high-growth company exposure, and strong transactional and governance capability.
• Proven experience as a General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer, or senior legal leader within a high-tech or high-growth organization
• Background in automotive, motor vehicle manufacturing, e-mobility, advanced manufacturing, or engineering-led environments
• Strong experience supporting M&A transactions, corporate restructures, and strategic partnerships
• Previous experience working in a publicly traded company responsible for managing SEC compliance obligations, including risk reporting requirements and SEC filings.
• Experience advising on capital raises, investor relations, and board governance
• Strong knowledge of corporate law, commercial contracts, and regulatory compliance
• Exposure to product development, R&D, and manufacturing risk environments
• Experience working closely with executive leadership teams, boards, and investors
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving organization with increasing scale and complexity
• Strategic mindset with a practical, business-oriented legal approach
• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and admission to practice in at least one U.S. jurisdiction (Michigan preferred)

Location: Metro-Detroit, Michigan (Hybrid remote 3-days p/w onsite)

Compensation: $275,000 – $375,000 - negotiable based on experience

Incentives & Benefits: Meaningful equity participation, performance-based bonus, 401(k), comprehensive healthcare, generous PTO, and a strong, collaborative leadership culture