Head of Legal (Europe) - Germany

Head of Legal - Europe

Up to €100k

Monchengladbach, Germany (HQ)

Hybrid working - 3 days in office

German and English fluency

Oakleaf Partnership is proud to be supporting a leading global manufacturer within the industrial and energy sector - a business at the forefront of power drive system solutions, operating at scale across Europe and beyond.

With thousands of employees across the continent and a significant presence in Germany, the business is now seeking a Head of Legal (Europe) to lead its legal function across multiple jurisdictions. This is a senior and visible role with real breadth - covering legal operations, compliance, governance, and strategic advisory in a complex, fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Legal Leadership & Compliance:

Take ownership of legal strategy across Europe - with a focus on Germany. Lead contract negotiations, establish compliance frameworks, and provide proactive legal guidance to the business.

Subsidiary & Governance Support:

Manage the full legal lifecycle for European subsidiaries. Prepare governance documentation, support legal structuring, and ensure alignment across jurisdictions.

Dispute Resolution & Risk:

Oversee litigation, arbitration, and internal investigations. Coordinate with external counsel and embed risk management across legal operations.

Cross-functional Business Partnering:

Partner with stakeholders across Sales, Procurement, HR and more. Support M&A activity and contribute to wider commercial decisions with legal clarity.

Candidate profile:

Qualified lawyer (Germany or equivalent); strong experience in international legal environments.

5+ years' post-qualification experience, ideally within industrial/manufacturing or B2B global businesses.

Expert understanding of German legal systems, including commercial, corporate, labour law, and compliance.

Fluent in German and English (essential); Chinese is advantageous but not essential.

Strong communicator with cross-cultural fluency and a pragmatic, solution-led mindset.

Ready to apply?

If you would like to be considered for this opportunity or have any questions, please apply to for more information.