Senior Legal Counsel EMEA

SSQ is exclusively retained on behalf of a leading international industrial technology group to appoint a

Senior Legal Counsel EMEA .

This is a rare opportunity in the greater Dusseldorf area to become the first and only legal counsel in Germany, taking ownership of the local legal function while serving as a trusted advisor across the wider EMEA region.

Reporting directly to the Regional General Counsel EMEA, you will work closely with senior business leaders, supporting complex commercial activities across multiple jurisdictions. The position offers significant autonomy, broad legal exposure and the opportunity to influence strategic business decisions within a highly international organisation.

The Role

As a key member of the regional legal team, you will provide commercially focused legal advice across a broad range of matters, with a particular emphasis on complex commercial contracts, strategic projects and legal risk management.

Alongside your regional responsibilities, you will act as the principal legal advisor to the German business, partnering closely with commercial, operational and corporate stakeholders.

This is a genuine business-facing role where legal expertise is valued as a strategic enabler rather than a purely technical function.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise senior stakeholders across the EMEA region on complex commercial contracts and strategic business initiatives.
• Draft, negotiate and manage a wide variety of commercial agreements.
• Support the business on disputes, claims and litigation.
• Provide pragmatic legal advice on competition law, compliance, employment matters, corporate governance, real estate, HSE and other operational legal issues.
• Act as the trusted legal advisor to Sales, Operations, Procurement, Finance and HR.
• Instruct and manage external counsel where appropriate.
• Identify legal risks while delivering commercially practical solutions.
• Support the continued development of the regional legal function and contribute to cross-border legalprojects.

Candidate Profile

We are seeking an experienced, commercially minded legal professional who enjoys working independently while partnering closely with an international business.

• German qualification as a fully qualified lawyer (Volljurist/in).
• At least 8-10+ years' post-qualification experience.
• Meaningful in-house legal experience within an international organisation.
• Strong commercial contracting and negotiation experience.
• Experience advising on German employment law, including works council matters.
• Excellent business judgement and a pragmatic, solution-oriented approach.
• Fluency in German and English.

Experience gained within manufacturing, engineering, industrial, chemicals or other technology-driven environments would be beneficial but isnot essential.

Why This Opportunity?

This role offers considerably more than a traditional Senior Legal Counsel position. You will have the opportunity to:

• Establish and lead the legal presence in Germany as the company's first legal hire in the country and act as an important link between the German business and the headquarters.
• Work directly with senior executives and international decision-makers.
• Cover both strategic EMEA matters and local German legal work.
• Join a collaborative international legal team with strong visibility across the business.
• Enjoy a flexible hybrid working model with three remote working days per week.
• And finally - gain a very competitive package.

If you are looking for a broad, high-impact in-house position offering genuine autonomy within a successful international business, we would be delighted to speak with you.