Head of Legal (Europe) – Germany

Oakleaf; Mönchengladbach; Hybrid; EUR 80.000 - 100.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A leading global manufacturer in Mönchengladbach is seeking a Head of Legal to lead its European legal function. The role covers legal operations, compliance, governance, and strategic advisory. Candidates should be qualified lawyers with 5+ years of experience and fluent in German and English. This is a senior position offering a salary up to €100k with a hybrid working model.

Qualifikationen

• 5+ years’ post-qualification experience in industrial/manufacturing or B2B global businesses.
• Expert understanding of German legal systems including commercial, corporate, and labor law.

Aufgaben

• Own the legal strategy across Europe focusing on Germany.
• Lead contract negotiations and establish compliance frameworks.
• Manage legal lifecycle for European subsidiaries.

Kenntnisse

Legal leadership

Compliance frameworks

Contract negotiation

Dispute resolution

Cross-functional collaboration

Fluency in German

Fluency in English

Ausbildung

Qualified lawyer (Germany or equivalent)

Jobbeschreibung

Overview

Head of Legal – Europe, up to €100k, Monchengladbach, Germany (HQ). Hybrid working – 3 days in office. German and English fluency.

Oakleaf Partnership is proud to be supporting a leading global manufacturer within the industrial and energy sector – a business at the forefront of power drive system solutions, operating at scale across Europe and beyond.

With thousands of employees across the continent and a significant presence in Germany, the business is now seeking a Head of Legal (Europe) to lead its legal function across multiple jurisdictions. This is a senior and visible role with real breadth – covering legal operations, compliance, governance, and strategic advisory in a complex, fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Legal Leadership & Compliance: Take ownership of legal strategy across Europe – with a focus on Germany. Lead contract negotiations, establish compliance frameworks, and provide proactive legal guidance to the business.
• Subsidiary & Governance Support: Manage the full legal lifecycle for European subsidiaries. Prepare governance documentation, support legal structuring, and ensure alignment across jurisdictions.
• Dispute Resolution & Risk: Oversee litigation, arbitration, and internal investigations. Coordinate with external counsel and embed risk management across legal operations.
• Cross-functional Business Partnering: Partner with stakeholders across Sales, Procurement, HR and more. Support M&A activity and contribute to wider commercial decisions with legal clarity.

Candidate profile

• Qualified lawyer (Germany or equivalent); strong experience in international legal environments.
• 5+ years’ post-qualification experience, ideally within industrial / manufacturing or B2B global businesses.
• Expert understanding of German legal systems, including commercial, corporate, labour law, and compliance.
• Fluent in German and English (essential); Chinese is advantageous but not essential.
• Strong communicator with cross-cultural fluency and a pragmatic, solution-led mindset.

Ready to apply?

If you would like to be considered for this opportunity or have any questions, please apply to [e-mail] for more information.