Job Description
Role Summary
Counsel - Special Investigations, Legal and Compliance will lead and support sensitive internal investigations involving alleged violations of law, company policy, and ethical standards, including matters such as fraud, intellectual property theft, embezzlement, conflicts of interest, collusion, kickbacks, bribery, FCPA and other anti-bribery/anti-corruption concerns, export compliance issues, and records falsification. This role also serves as a trusted legal and compliance advisor to business partners by providing practical counsel on a broad range of compliance matters in the United States and, where U.S. law is implicated, internationally.
In addition to investigations work, this position will help strengthen GM's compliance culture by developing and delivering impactful compliance communications, training, and awareness initiatives. The ideal candidate brings sound judgment, strong investigative and legal skills, executive presence, and the ability to work cross-functionally on complex and often sensitive matters.
Department Overview
As a member of the GM Legal Staff, Counsel is expected to deliver high-performance legal services with integrity and professionalism. The Legal Staff partners closely with the business to provide timely, practical, and best-in-class legal and business advisory support while protecting GM's legal, ethical, and financial integrity.
Each member of the Legal Staff is expected to demonstrate the following:
Workplace and product safety
Compliance and ethics
Strategic partnering
Responsiveness and accountability
Real-time transparency and communication
Superior work product quality
Strong work ethic
Cost discipline
Company and industry knowledge
Teamwork
Key Responsibilities
Special Investigations
Develop investigative strategies and workplans for allegations of misconduct, fraud, policy violations, and other high-risk matters
Conduct prompt, thorough, and objective investigations in accordance with professional and legal standards
Identify, gather, and assess relevant sources of information, including documents, data, financial records, and witness testimony
Conduct effective informational and interrogatory interviews
Evaluate facts, identify key issues, and determine investigative findings based on evidence and sound legal judgment
Prepare clear, concise, and defensible written investigative materials and present findings to appropriate stakeholders in a timely manner
Recommend corrective actions, process improvements, and internal control enhancements based on investigative outcomes
Maintain strict confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion
Continually assess and improve investigative processes to drive efficiency, consistency, and quality
Compliance and Ethics Advisory
Provide practical legal and compliance counsel on issues involving anti-bribery and anti-corruption, conflicts of interest, export compliance, third-party risk, and related compliance matters
Partner with business leaders and cross-functional teams to support compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies
Support and help maintain an effective compliance program through risk-based guidance, issue spotting, and proactive partnership
Lead or support detailed due diligence reviews of proposed business partners and other third parties
Evaluate business proposals, transactions, and ongoing activities to assess compliance risk and recommend appropriate safeguards
Support compliance-related audits, monitoring activities, and remediation efforts
Help identify trends, emerging risks, and opportunities to strengthen GM's compliance framework
Training, Communications, and Culture
Develop, execute, and continuously improve compliance messaging and training to reinforce a strong culture of integrity
Support the design and delivery of employee training programs, leadership integrity messaging, and awareness initiatives
Assist with fraud awareness efforts and support GM's fraud risk assessment process
Translate complex legal and compliance concepts into practical, business-friendly guidance for a variety of audiences
Cross-Functional Partnership
Work closely with Audit, Security, HR, Compliance, Legal, and other internal stakeholders on investigations and compliance matters
Build trusted relationships across the organization and serve as a pragmatic, approachable advisor
Develop a strong understanding of GM's global operations and the business @context in which legal and compliance risks arise
Communicate effectively with senior leaders on sensitive or complex issues, including investigative findings and risk-based recommendations
Required Qualifications
Juris Doctor from an accredited law school
Active license to practice law in the United States
5+ years of relevant legal experience in a major law firm, in-house legal department, government role, or a combination thereof
Meaningful experience in one or more of the following areas: internal investigations, compliance, white collar matters, employment law, government investigations, or prosecutorial work
Demonstrated experience handling sensitive investigations involving potential misconduct, fraud, or compliance concerns
Working knowledge of U.S. anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, as well as export compliance requirements
Strong analytical, interviewing, writing, and oral communication skills
Ability to assess issues objectively, manage ambiguity, and reach sound, well-supported conclusions
Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and drive matters through to completion
Strong judgment, professionalism, and discretion in handling confidential matters
Ability to collaborate effectively across functions and build credibility with business and legal stakeholders
Ability to communicate complex issues clearly and effectively to senior leadership
Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally on occasion, including with limited advance notice
Preferred Qualifications
Prior experience with the U.S. Department of Justice, a prosecutor's office, regulatory enforcement body, or comparable investigative function
In-house experience supporting compliance programs, internal reviews, third-party due diligence, or risk assessments
Experience advising multinational organizations on matters involving U.S. law with international business implications
Experience developing compliance training, awareness campaigns, or leadership communications
Experience evaluating internal controls and recommending remediation to address control gaps
Familiarity with large, matrixed organizations and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments
Broad understanding of how legal, compliance, HR, security, audit, and operational teams intersect during investigations
Core Competencies
High integrity and sound judgment
Executive presence and credibility
Strong client service orientation
Investigative rigor and attention to detail
Pragmatic problem solving
Adaptability and learning agility
Relationship building and teamwork
Accountability and ownership
Clear, timely, and transparent communication
Role Scope and Environment
The position regularly partners with stakeholders across GM, including Compliance, Legal, GMAS, HR, Security, Audit, and other business functions depending on the matter under review. Although the role is intended for a U.S.-based licensed attorney, matters may involve international issues where U.S. law is implicated.
Success in this role requires flexibility, comfort processing large volumes of information, the ability to separate signal from noise, and the ability to communicate findings in a way that enables senior leaders to take informed action.
Why This Role
This is an opportunity to make meaningful impact across GM by helping the company identify risk, address gaps, strengthen controls, and reinforce a culture of integrity. The role offers exposure to senior leaders, broad visibility across the business, and the opportunity to work on high-impact matters in a collaborative team environment.
LI-HP2
GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply for this role if you will need GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This includes direct company sponsorship, entry of GM as the immigration employer of record on a government form, and any work authorization requiring a written submission or other immigration support from the company (e.g., H1-B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc).
This role is based remotely, but if the selected candidate lives within a specific mile radius of a GM hub, they will be expected to report to the location three times a week {or other frequency dictated by your manager}.
The selected candidate will be required to travel
This job is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate.
About GM
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Benefits Overview
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