Senior Legal Counsel

About the job

We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Legal Counsel to join our Germany subsidiary, providing end-to-end legal support for our automotive business operations. You will be the key legal partner for cross-functional teams, safeguarding the company’s compliance and interests in the German market.

About the Role

As Legal Counsel for our German subsidiary, you will take charge of a full spectrum of legal work, from contract lifecycle management to dispute resolution and regulatory compliance. You will collaborate closely with local and global teams to mitigate legal risks and support sustainable business growth in the EU automotive sector.

Core Responsibilities

Contract Management

Draft, review, negotiate and finalize a wide range of legal documents (including NDAs, dealer & after-sales agreements, purchase contracts, cooperation MOUs, etc.). Continuously optimize contract templates and streamline the contract management workflow to align with German commercial law.

Regulatory Compliance & Risk Control

Ensure the company’s automotive business activities (covering product quality, environmental protection, data privacy, trade compliance, anti-bribery, etc.) fully comply with German and EU regulations (e.g., GDPR, WLTP, German Commercial Code HGB). Conduct compliance supervision and provide timely legal guidance for business decision-making.

Dispute Resolution & Legal Support

Handle legal disputes including litigation, arbitration, and consumer claims; provide professional legal analysis and solutions. Offer HR legal support (e.g., labor dispute resolution) in accordance with German Labor Law (Arbeitsgesetzbuch).

Partnership & External Resource Management

Participate in due diligence of potential business partners (e.g., dealer qualification & compliance checks). Select, manage and supervise external law firms to ensure cost-effective and high-quality legal services.

Intellectual Property & Other Duties

Assist in protecting the company’s IP rights related to automotive R&D, brand trademarks, etc. Fulfill other legal tasks assigned by the management team.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education & Qualification

Hold an LLB/LLM degree from a recognized international law school.

German Bar Admission (Rechtsanwalt) or equivalent qualification is a strong plus; familiarity with German and EU automotive regulatory frameworks is a must.

Professional Experience

5-7 years of post-qualification experience in corporate legal practice, with expertise in general corporate law and dispute resolution.

Prior working experience in multinational manufacturing (especially automotive) companies is highly preferred.

Skills & Competencies

Fluent oral and written English and German.

Solid legal knowledge paired with sharp business acumen; capable of providing practical, result-oriented solutions.

Excellent communication, negotiation and cross-cultural collaboration skills (working with local teams, global stakeholders and government authorities).

Mature, proactive and self-driven; able to work independently under pressure with high integrity.

Requirements added by the job poster

• Authorized to work in Germany

• 5+ years of Legal Services experience

• 5+ years of experience in Legal