Head of Legal Germany

Head of Legal & Compliance – Germany

Taylor Root is exclusively partnering with this large multinational within the Energy Sector for the recruitment of the Head of Legal Germany.

Our client operates across several energy‑related business units in Germany, with a clear ambition to become one of the most respected and influential players in its markets. Its mission is to deliver secure, cleaner, and competitive energy solutions while supporting customers on their own energy‑transition journeys. The group is committed to building a successful business today and a sustainable future for tomorrow, driven by talented people and a strong customer focus.

The German operations include businesses active in off‑grid energy supply, solar and energy‑management solutions and specialist refrigerant gases. These units play a critical role in supporting the organisation’s growth strategy and in enabling customers to transition to lower‑carbon solutions.

About the Role

The Head of Legal & Compliance – Germany will play a central leadership role, supporting the executive team across all German business units. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer for Germany, the role provides strategic legal guidance, ensures regulatory compliance, manages risk, and enables commercial growth.

This position requires a seasoned legal professional who can operate across multiple sectors, advise senior leadership, and build a robust legal and compliance framework that supports both operational excellence and long‑term strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities Head of Legal & Compliance

Strategic Legal Leadership

• Develop and implement legal and compliance strategies aligned with business goals.
• Advise senior German leadership on legal risks, opportunities, governance, and assurance.
• Lead legal and compliance input on acquisitions, joint ventures, and restructuring activities.
• Align local legal and compliance strategy with broader group‑level frameworks.
• Promote a strong culture of ethical conduct and legal awareness across all business units.

Leadership & Development

• Design and implement a legal and compliance resource model that ensures appropriate support for each business unit.
• Operate in line with agreed service‑level expectations to deliver consistent, high‑quality support.
• Participate in ongoing leadership development and benefit from opportunities for progression within the wider organisation.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with German and EU laws, regulations, and industry standards.
• Oversee internal compliance programmes and the implementation of group policies.
• Apply effective risk‑management techniques and provide proactive advice to leadership.
• Manage relationships with regulators, external counsel, and public authorities.
• Maintain the Risk Register and support regular risk discussions across business units.

Contract & Commercial Oversight

• Draft, review, and negotiate complex commercial contracts.
• Provide pragmatic legal input on material commercial negotiations.
• Manage significant disputes, litigation, and external legal counsel.
• Ensure the legal framework supports commercially focused decision‑making.

Corporate Governance

• Support management decisions with legal advice, policy oversight, and appropriate documentation.
• Ensure corporate structures and decision‑making processes are effective and fit for purpose.

Core Competencies

• Legal, Compliance & Commercial Expertise: Strong experience in complex legal environments, including commercial contracts, corporate governance, M&A, and compliance frameworks (e.g., anti‑bribery, data privacy, competition law).
• Multi‑Sector Versatility: Ability to manage legal issues across diverse business units and regulated sectors.
• Cross‑Border Legal Awareness: Understanding of EU and international legal frameworks and their impact on operations.
• Legal Technology & Process Optimisation: Experience implementing legal‑tech solutions to improve efficiency and accuracy.

Personal Characteristics

• Strategic & Commercial Mindset: Ability to connect legal advice to broader business strategy.
• Collaborative Influence: Skilled at aligning stakeholders and building trust across functions.
• Resilience & Adaptability: Comfortable operating in a fast‑paced, high‑stakes environment.
• Analytical Problem‑Solver: Able to break down complex issues and develop practical, legally sound solutions.

Other Requirements

• Qualified lawyer in Germany
• Fluent written and spoken English.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work flexibly.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Minimum 10 years’ post‑qualification experience, including at least 5 years in a senior legal role.

Travel

• Regular travel to business sites across Germany, with occasional travel to European leadership meetings.

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