General Counsel - Europe

Americold is a global provider of temperature-controlled infrastructure. We partner with farmers and food producers to ensure their perishable and frozen products reach food suppliers, restaurants, and grocery stores without spoilage. Our customers include some of the most respected brands in the food industry, relying on our expertise and commitment to safety.

Position: General Counsel - Europe

Overview

The General Counsel Europe will serve as the primary legal advisor for the European division of Americold. This role involves providing legal support on operational, commercial, and governance issues, with a focus on Corporate Compliance and Commercial Transactions. The General Counsel will handle legal services including consultation, document review, drafting, and legal processes to protect the organization’s rights and obligations, reporting to the Chief Legal Officer and the Managing Director Europe. A strong understanding of European regulations, corporate laws, commercial transactions, M&A, real estate, HR, and operational support is essential.

Key Responsibilities

1. Draft and review legal documents such as business-to-business service agreements, warehousing contracts, vendor agreements, IT and licensing agreements, M&A purchase and sale agreements, real estate documents, and MOUs.
2. Advise and support Commercial Finance and Business Development in contracting new business, interpreting existing agreements, and resolving disputes.
3. Provide legal counsel to senior management including the Managing Director Europe, VP Finance, VP HR, Engineering, Real Estate, and Treasury on corporate governance, development projects, leasing, zoning, land use, and related matters.
4. Develop and implement programs to mitigate legal, regulatory, and reputational risks, including areas like anti-bribery, competition law, data privacy, cybersecurity, and ESG initiatives.
5. Manage intellectual property issues, including trademark registration and compliance monitoring.
6. Offer legal guidance to warehouse facility managers on corporate, legal, and regulatory issues.
7. Manage external legal counsel to control costs and ensure quality.
8. Collaborate with management on legal issues and represent the company in disputes.
9. Perform other duties as assigned.
10. Report directly to the Chief Legal Officer.
11. Work closely with the Managing Director Europe, VPs, managers, and other stakeholders to align legal strategies with corporate goals.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor or equivalent from an accredited law school.
• 8-15 years of legal experience, ideally a mix of in-house and law firm roles, with experience in large to medium law firms also acceptable.
• Licensed to practice law in relevant jurisdictions, with experience supporting European operations of US multinationals.
• Extensive cross-border experience in commercial law, finance, contracts, M&A.
• Experience in warehousing, logistics, supply chain, or transportation industries preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and contract management databases.
• Self-motivated, able to meet deadlines, and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills for engaging with senior executives, board members, and cross-cultural teams.
• Deep knowledge of compliance, privacy, and GDPR requirements.
• Strong organizational, negotiation, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
• Customer service oriented with high-quality legal work standards.
• Good judgment, decision-making ability, and confidentiality.

Core Competencies

• Business Acumen: Understanding of business strategies, market trends, and competitive landscape.
• Interpersonal Skills: Building rapport, tact, diplomacy, and conflict resolution.
• Composure: Maintaining professionalism and calm under pressure.
• Integrity and Trust: Demonstrating honesty, confidentiality, and ethical behavior.
• Perseverance: Driving tasks to completion despite challenges.
• Customer Focus: Prioritizing client needs and building trust.
• Problem Solving: Applying logical and thorough analysis to complex issues.