Head of Legal

Title: Head of Legal (Syndikusanwalt)
Location: Berlin, Germany

Position Overview:
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Legal to join a global manufacturing business in Berlin, Germany. As the Head of Legal, you will provide strategic legal guidance and support for the business’s global operations. You will lead a team of two legal professionals and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance, mitigate legal risks, and drive business objectives forward.

Responsibilities:

• Provide expert legal advice to senior management and various departments on a wide range of legal matters, including commercial, corporate, employment, data privacy, and litigation.
• Lead and manage a team of two Legal Counsels (based in Germany).
• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of commercial agreements, such as vendor contracts, distribution agreements, and licensing agreements.
• Ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations governing manufacturing operations, including environmental, health and safety, and employment laws.
• Develop and implement an effective legal strategy to protect the company’s interests and minimize legal risks.
• Manage and oversee legal disputes and litigation, working with external counsel as needed.
• Stay updated on changes in laws and regulations affecting the business and advise the company proactively on potential impacts.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including finance, human resources, and operations, to support business initiatives and drive strategic objectives.
• Cultivate strong relationships with external legal providers in Germany and other international markets, as well as regulators and industry associations.

Requirements:

• Qualified German lawyer (completion of second state exams) with at least 8* years of post-qualified experience (some of which should be in-house).
  *PQE is given as a guide only; candidates with relevant transferable skills and experience will be considered.
• Proven leadership experience, with the ability to manage and develop a team of legal professionals.
• Strong understanding of German and EU laws and regulations relevant to the manufacturing industry.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• High level of integrity and ethical conduct.
• Fluency in English and German, both written and verbal, is required.

Desirable:

• Previous experience in the manufacturing industry.
• Expertise in German employment law.

Leonid Group Corporate Governance is a talent acquisition consultancy that specialises in the placement of Legal, Compliance, Risk, ESG and Sustainability and Audit professionals on an international scale across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC.These are global disciplines with teams worldwide, and our network reflects this. We work with multinational corporations to help structure their departments with the best people, from the Global Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel to the Compliance Analyst and Trade Compliance Specialist.