Job Posting TitleAssociate General Counsel - US
Legal EntityAmerican Axle & Manufacturing Inc
Job Description SummaryDauch is looking for an Associate General Counsel to join our team in Detroit, MI.
This individual will serve as a strategic, business-oriented legal partner to Dauch's Americas operations, supporting teams across the United States. Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel for the Americas, this role will lead and manage a broad range of commercial contracting matters, provide practical and actionable legal advice to cross-functional stakeholders, actively support HR and employment matters, manage litigation and dispute resolution, and advise on day-to-day business activities. The successful candidate will demonstrate sound legal judgment, strong leadership, and a solutions-driven, collaborative approach suited to a fast-paced manufacturing and supply chain environment.
Job Description:- Drafts, reviews, and negotiates a wide range of commercial agreements, including supply, procurement, tooling, services, logistics, customs and trade, confidentiality, quality, warranty, and technology agreements, ensuring alignment with company policies, applicable laws, and risk tolerance.
- Provides timely, pragmatic, and solution-oriented legal counseling to business stakeholders in sales, procurement, HR, engineering, operations, quality, finance, IT, and EHS, ensuring legal risks are clearly communicated, and business objectives are supported.
- Identifies, assesses, and mitigates legal and commercial risks, escalating issues as appropriate and proposing alternative structures or solutions that achieve business objectives while ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Supports HR and labor and employment matters, including hiring and separations, policies, investigations, accommodations, wage-and-hour issues, EEOC claims, training, and employee relations, coordinating with external counsel as appropriate and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
- Supports and provides guidance on a broad range of property and real estate matters, including commercial leases, acquisitions, dispositions, and property-related disputes.
- Manages and coordinates outside counsel effectively and cost-efficiently, including matter scoping, budgeting, performance monitoring, and ensuring alignment with company objectives and cost controls.
- Develops and delivers legal training and playbooks for commercial and employment best practices.
- Manages litigation and assist with dispute management and pre-litigation strategy, including claim evaluation, correspondence, and negotiated resolutions.
- All other duties as assigned.
Required Skills and Education- Juris Doctor Degree.
- Licensed and able to practice law in the State of Michigan and in good standing.
- 7+ years of relevant legal experience in a law firm and/or in-house legal department, with a strong focus on commercial transactions and employment and labor; manufacturing or automotive experience strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements with OEMs, Tier 1/Tier 2 suppliers, and service providers.
- Experience advising business clients on day-to-day operational issues with clear, pragmatic guidance, strong stakeholder management, and the ability to translate legal concepts into actionable business advice.
- Demonstrated experience with HR/labor and employment counseling for multi-state U.S. operations.
- Understanding of property/real estate laws and experience supporting property contracts and transactions, including commercial leases and purchase and sale agreements.
- Strong contract interpretation, issue-spotting, and risk assessment skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage a diverse and high-volume workload in a dynamic environment.
- Knowledge of export controls, sanctions, and trade compliance frameworks applicable to the automotive sector.
- Familiarity with warranty and recall concerns or campaigns, and supply assurance strategies common in automotive supply chains, including risk mitigation and contingency planning.
Core Competencies- Strong business judgment and solution orientation, with the ability to balance legal risk and commercial objectives while supporting business growth.
- Excellent drafting and negotiation skills, with clear, concise, and decisive written and verbal communication, and the ability to present complex legal concepts to non-legal audiences.
- Proven ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively across functions, cultures, and time zones, fostering a team-oriented environment.
- Demonstrated ownership, accountability, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
- Discretion, integrity, and sound professional ethics.
- Strategic thinking with a continuous improvement mindset for processes, templates, training, and legal operations.
Travel and Work Arrangement- Hybrid role based in Detroit, Michigan with regular onsite collaboration.
- Occasional domestic and international travel required (approximately 10-15%).
