General Counsel – France

A global leader in industrial manufacturing is seeking a General Counsel France to lead its legal and compliance function in the country. This is a high-impact, strategic role offering visibility at both national and international levels. You’ll manage a local legal team and advise on a wide range of legal matters, from commercial and corporate to regulatory and environmental. This role will be based in Paris.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the lead legal advisor to the French leadership team
• Manage and mentor the local legal team
• Provide legal guidance on commercial, corporate, labor, and environmental issues
• Oversee contract negotiations across procurement, sales, and logistics
• Support M&A, joint ventures, and restructuring projects
• Handle litigation and regulatory investigations
• Ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulations
• Deliver legal training and awareness programs
• Collaborate with global legal teams to align on strategy and best practices

Candidate Profile

Experience

• 12-15 years of legal experience (law firm and/or in-house), including commercial, corporate, regulatory, and environmental law.
• Proven track record in managing complex legal projects and transactions.
• Experience in industrial or multinational environments is a strong advantage.

Education

• Master’s degree in French Law (Bac +5).

Skills & Competencies

• Fluent in French; proficient in English (spoken and written).
• Strong leadership and team development skills.
• Business-oriented mindset with pragmatic legal problem-solving.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, international, matrixed environment.
• Proactive, hands-on approach with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Travel

• Based in Paris with occasional travel within France and abroad.

The SR Group (UK) Limited is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.