Interim Regional General Counsel (EMEA)

Major, Lindsey & Africa; Greater London; Hybride; GBP 100 000 - 150 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A global petrochemical company in Greater London is seeking a senior interim legal leader for the EMEA region. This Regional GC-level position involves guiding and supporting the leadership team while the search for a permanent replacement is conducted. The successful candidate will have a strong background in petrochemicals and relevant legal experience. This role requires an immediate start and offers a hybrid working arrangement, ideally at least three days per week.

Qualifications

• Current or former Regional GC or Deputy GC experience.
• Proven experience in the petrochemicals and energy sectors.
• Ability to engage with senior business leaders and US legal teams.

Responsabilités

• Act as the most senior legal leader for EMEA.
• Serve as a trusted partner to the leadership team.
• Provide legal input on multi-jurisdictional matters.

Connaissances

Strong background in petrochemicals

Experience with multi-jurisdictional legal matters

Ability to operate in high-pressure environments

Confident in engaging with senior leaders

Formation

Qualified solicitor in England & Wales

Description du poste

London preferred | Hybrid | Immediate start | Interim (3–6 months)

The Business

A global petrochemicals and industrial lubricants business (motor oils, greases and specialty lubricants), operating across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and backed by a major international energy group.

The company has manufacturing, commercial and sales operations across EMEA, with a newly established EMEA leadership hub in London, and is undergoing a period of growth, organisational change and increasing complexity.

This is a fast‑paced, highly operational environment requiring senior legal leadership with strong commercial judgement and regional experience.

The Opportunity

Following the departure of both the Regional EMEA leader and the prior senior regional legal lead, the business requires immediate, senior interim legal cover for EMEA.

This is a Regional GC‑level role, responsible for stabilising, guiding and supporting the EMEA leadership team while a permanent search is ongoing (expected c.3–6 months). The successful interim will act as the right‑hand legal partner to the regional leadership and play a critical role in maintaining momentum and reducing risk during this transition period.

The role reports into US‑based senior legal leadership, with limited US interaction day‑to‑day and primary focus on EMEA stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the most senior legal leader for EMEA, covering Europe, the Middle East and Africa
• Serve as a trusted business partner to the EMEA leadership team (largely London‑based), participating in leadership meetings and decision‑making
• Commercial contracts (distribution, sales, supply, manufacturing, services)
• Industrial / petrochemical manufacturing operations
• Employment and labour matters across multiple jurisdictions
• Regulatory, compliance, ethics, anti‑bribery and trade matters
• Disputes and litigation management
• Provide legal input on Middle East and Saudi‑related matters
• Oversee and coordinate external counsel across EMEA (c.30% of workload)
• Support and interact with an existing lean in‑house legal team based in Europe and Saudi Arabia
• Bring structure, calm and clarity to a complex, fast‑moving regional environment
• Manage risk proactively while enabling the business to continue operating at pace

Candidate Profile

• England & Wales qualified solicitor current or former Regional GC, Deputy GC or GC‑level
• Strong background in petrochemicals, energy, chemicals or industrial manufacturing (essential)
• Proven experience covering multi‑jurisdictional EMEA legal matters
• Comfortable operating in fast‑paced, high‑pressure, operational environments
• Confident engaging with senior business leaders, US legal leadership and Middle East stakeholders
• Pragmatic, commercial and comfortable being hands‑on from day one

Practicalities

• Immediate start required (ideally within 1 week)
• Interim requirement for c.3–6 months
• Can start c.3 days per week initially, scaling as required
• London preferred (hybrid working); regional travel as needed