Corporate Counsel - Financial Services (Supporting DTFS Canada)

Inside the Role

Supporting Canada Through Transformation
Daimler Truck Financial Services (DTFS) is transforming into a fully integrated North American organization, with its North American headquarters moving to Charlotte, North Carolina. As part of this transition, DTFS will centralize Legal & Compliance support in the United States while continuing to operate in Canada, a highly regulated and strategically important market. Although the Canadian employee footprint is smaller, DTFS Canada requires dedicated legal leadership, strong regulatory expertise, and close cross border collaboration to ensure compliance, risk management, and business continuity.
This Corporate Counsel role is uniquely positioned at the intersection of strategy and execution. Based in the U.S. and embedded within the DTFS North America Legal team, the role serves as the primary legal lead for DTFS Canada, overseeing Canadian legal matters end to end while helping shape how legal services are delivered in a centralized, regional operating model. The role provides continuity for the Canadian business while supporting DTFS’s broader objective of building a more resilient, efficient, and forward looking organization.
About the Role
DTFS is seeking an experienced Corporate Counsel with a strong background in financial services and commercial lending to support its captive finance business, with primary responsibility for all DTFS Canada legal matters. This role is embedded within the DTFS U.S. Legal Team in Charlotte, NC and serves as the sole legal lead for the Canadian business. The role partners closely with U.S. and Canadian business, compliance, and risk stakeholders to address cross border legal requirements, advance business objectives, and manage regulatory, contractual, and operational risk across jurisdictions.

Posting Information

We provide a scheduled posting end date to assist our candidates with their application planning. While this date reflects our latest plans, it is subject to change, and postings may be extended or removed earlier than expected.

We Take Care of Our Team

Pay offered dependent on knowledge, skills, and experience   

  

Benefits include annual bonus program; 401k company contribution with company match up to 6% as well as non-elective company contribution of 3 - 7% depending on age; starting at 4 weeks paid vacation; 13+ calendar holidays; 8 weeks paid parental leave; employee assistance program; comprehensive healthcare plans and wellness programs; onsite fitness (at some locations); tuition assistance and volunteer paid time off; short-term and long-term disability plans. 

What You Drive at DTFS

Canadian Legal Oversight

• Serve as the senior legal authority for all DTFS Canada legal matters, ensuring compliance with Canadian federal and provincial laws, regulatory expectations, and company policies.

• Provide strategic legal advice on Canadian commercial finance transactions, including dealer financing, retail loans, lease and fleet financing, and small‑business credit facilities.

• Advise on high‑impact matters such as major dealer defaults or restructurings, regulatory investigations, class action litigation, privacy incidents, and other complex Canadian legal issues.

• Engage, manage, and oversee external Canadian counsel, ensuring high‑quality, cost‑effective support and consistent legal positions across jurisdictions.

• Monitor Canadian legislative, regulatory, and jurisprudential developments and translate requirements into practical business guidance.

Transactional & Project Support

• Provide legal guidance on key DTFS Canada projects, transactions, and strategic initiatives, including new products, programs, and joint ventures.

• Support product development by identifying legal requirements early and advising on compliant, commercially viable solutions.

• Deliver transactional counseling and training to business teams on contractual obligations and regulatory constraints.

• Advise on dealer and fleet workouts and restructurings, including drafting and negotiating waivers, loan modifications, forbearance agreements, and related documentation.

Regulatory Compliance & Governance

• Support DTFS Canada’s regulatory compliance efforts, including credit laws, privacy and data protection, anti‑corruption, and anti‑money laundering (AML) obligations.

• Serve as the AML Officer and Privacy Officer for DTFS Canada.

• Advise on policy compliance, licensing, regulatory filings, audits, and regulatory inquiries, escalating issues to senior management as appropriate.

• Coordinate with U.S. compliance colleagues to maintain alignment with North American and group standards.

Litigation & Risk Management

• Oversee and manage litigation and dispute matters involving DTFS Canada, including collections, contract disputes, class actions, and regulatory enforcement actions.

• Develop litigation strategy and supervise outside counsel in alignment with DTFS’s risk appetite.

• Proactively identify and mitigate legal and regulatory risks, including advising on credit, compliance, data protection, and information security matters.

Cross‑Functional & Operational Support

• Partner with cross‑functional teams across the U.S. and Canada, including Sales, Credit, Operations, Client Services, Collections, Remarketing, and Procurement.

• Provide practical, business‑focused legal guidance to support day‑to‑day operations and urgent business needs.

• Review, draft, and negotiate a broad range of contracts and legal documents, including vendor agreements and dealer/fleet financing documentation.

• Develop and deliver training on legal requirements, policies, and best practices to business teams.

• Translate complex legal requirements into clear, actionable guidance for stakeholders across North America.

Knowledge You Should Bring

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.

• Licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.

• Strong commercial finance experience.

• Ability to provide practical legal guidance in a regulated, cross‑border environment.

• Strong knowledge of commercial lending and secured transactions, including U.S. secured transactions (including UCC Article 9).

• Experience in commercial lending, transactional work, and financial services law, gained in a law firm and/or in‑house setting.

• Excellent legal research and analytical skills, with the ability to translate complex legal issues into practical, business‑focused advice.

• Sound legal judgment and decision‑making skills, particularly in areas involving risk management, dispute resolution, and commercial or vendor contracting.

• Ability to stay current on legal developments affecting commercial finance and financial services through ongoing professional development.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with experience working across functions and supporting stakeholders in both Canada and the United States.

• Proven ability to manage multiple complex matters in a fast‑paced environment with competing priorities.

Exceptional Candidates Might Have

• Canadian bar admission.

• Familiarity with Canadian PPSA/RDPRM concepts and cross‑border considerations.

Where We Work

This position is open to applicants who can work in (or relocate to) the following location(s)- 

Charlotte, NC US, Fort Mill Office - DTFS. Relocation assistance for this position is available when the selected candidate meets eligibility criteria.

Schedule Type: 

Hybrid (4 days per week in-office / 1 day remote). This schedule builds our #OneTeamBestTeam culture, provides an unparalleled customer experience, and creates innovative solutions through in-person collaboration.

Daimler Truck Financial is the captive financial services provider for the Daimler Trucks North America family of commercial vehicle products, including Freightliner Trucks, Western Star, SelecTrucks, Sprinter Vans, Thomas Built Buses and Fuso. We have specialized in financing commercial vehicles for more than 40 years. This proven experience gives us critical insights into helping businesses overcome challenges unique to the trucking industry. Additionally, we offer a range of financing solutions that can be customized to meet each individual business's needs, from owner-operators to large fleet managers and nearly every venture in-between.

To achieve our goal of being the first-choice provider of vehicle financial products and services that support our brands, dealers and customers, we are looking for talented, diverse and inspired people with the skills, experience and innovative spirit to provide a first-class experience at every turn. We are committed to providing a great workplace environment that fosters a culture of openness, support and camaraderie. Our employee programs and benefits are reflective of our values and are designed to promote growth, balance and wellness in many aspects of your career and life.

Additional Information

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work permanently in the country of posting

• Final candidate must successfully complete a criminal background check

• Contractors, professional services, or other contingent workers should confirm with their local agency if they are eligible to apply for FTE positions

• EEO - Disabled/Veterans

Daimler Truck Financial Services is committed to workforce inclusion and providing an environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, age, marital status, family relationship, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (including transgender and transitioning status), genetic information, or veteran status.

For an accommodation or special assistance with applying for a posted position, please contact our Human Resources department at 503-745-8982 or toll free 800-206-3369. For TTY/TDD enabled call 503-745-2137 or toll free 866-355-6935