Legal Counsel

Changan Europe; München; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Changan Europe is seeking a U.K.-based? (note: role is in Germany) legal counsel to independently manage legal and compliance work for launching the Changan brand in Germany.

The role offers a hands-on approach to establish the legal and compliance structure in Germany, aligned with EU HQ in Spain and China. Key responsibilities include reviewing and negotiating contracts, supporting daily business, handling disputes, and developing the compliance framework, especially data protection and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree above, LL.M or JD is preferred.
• Qualifications as Volljurist or German State Examinations preferred.
• Solid knowledge of German commercial law, data protection, and EU regulations.

Responsibilities

• Review and negotiate business contracts and develop contract templates.
• Provide legal support for daily business and report to EU HQ regularly.
• Handle lawsuits, arbitrations, and potential disputes.
• Assist in establishing legal compliance systems, data protection, and employment compliance.
• Perform legal research in Germany and conduct compliance training.
• Expand local legal resources and relationships with law firms and institutes.
• Provide legal support for registrations, licenses, and regulatory affairs.

Skills

Legal analysis

Contract negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

German language

English language

Communication

Education

LL.M or JD preferred

Germany law degree

Volljurist qualification preferred

Job description

Changan Automobile, one of the world’s leading automotive manufacturers from China, brings a rich heritage and global reach to the European market. With a presence in Europe since the early 2000s through design and R&D centers, Changan has now established its sales company in Munich, marking a new commitment to the region . Operations across multiple European markets will begin in 2025, introducing Changan's vehicle lineup that blends European design excellence with advanced Chinese technology. Driven by innovation and quality, Changan is excited to deliver intelligent, stylish, and sustainable mobility solutions tailored for Europe.

About the Role

As a legal counsel, you will be responsible for managing the company’s legal and compliance work independently to support the launch of the Changan brand in Germany.

This role requires a hands-on approach as we scale the business from the ground up. As the legal counsel, you’ll have the unique opportunity to rise your planning, network and professional skills to establish the legal and compliance structure in Germany. This will be aligned with and supported by the teams in EU Headquarter-Spain and China.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responsible for reviewing, negotiating various business contracts of the company, as well as the formulation and optimization of contract templates;
• Provide legal support for the company’s daily business, reporting to the EU headquarter regularly and implement relevant requirements;
• Responsible for handling various lawsuits, arbitrations and possible legal disputes of the company;
• Support the set-up of legal compliance system, including but not limited to the compliance policy, contract management, etc. Particularly focus on data compliance, anti-trust and anti-unfair competition, employment compliance.
• Responsible for legal research in Germany and relevant legal & compliance training
• Responsible for expand the local legal resources, including but not limited to set up relationship with law firms, institutes, etc.
• Provide legal support for Changan Germany and relevant administrative registration, license, etc.

What We're Looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree above, LL.M or JD is preferred
• Relevant educational background in the Germany law or Graduated from Germany law schools
• Qualification as a Volljurist (having passed both German State Law Examinations) is preferred.
• 3-5 years working experience. The experience in automotive industry and its industrial chain are preferred;
• Solid knowledge of German commercial law, contract law data protection law and relevant EU regulations.
• Excellent legal analytical and problem-solving skills, strong professional responsibility;
• Proficient German and English is must
• Good communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with international, cross-functional teams.