Global Head of Legal (International) (m/f/d)

Global Head of Legal (International) (m/f/d)

Our client is an internationally recognized outdoor and lifestyle company with a strong presence in premium apparel, footwear, and equipment, known for combining functional innovation with contemporary design.

Location: Near Frankfurt am Main
Full-time job
Scope: Global (Excluding Mainland China)
Reporting Line: Global CEO / CFO

Key Responsibilities:

• Global Strategic Alignment: Ensure that legal strategies and operational logic across all international regions remain highly consistent with Group HQ’s directives and instructions. You are responsible for preventing “local drift” and ensuring a unified legal voice globally.
• Cross-Border Conflict Resolution: Lead the resolution of complex legal conflicts arising from cross-border transactions, international trade disputes, and multi-jurisdictional regulatory overlaps. You must provide clear, decisive legal pathways in the face of conflicting local regulations.
• China-International Synergy: While the China market operates independently, you will be responsible for maintaining essential professional synergy and communication with the China legal team. This includes coordinating on global brand protection, cross-border data flows, and ensuring a cohesive global brand image from a legal perspective.
• International Retail, Omnichannel & GTM Strategy:
• Omnichannel Expansion: Provide comprehensive legal guidance for global retail expansion, covering brick-and-mortar stores (Leasing & Operations) and E-commerce/Digital platforms across international markets.
• GTM & Marketing Compliance: Act as a strategic partner to the business teams during Go-to-Market (GTM) phases. Review global marketing campaigns, brand storytelling, and promotional activities to ensure they comply with local advertising laws and brand guidelines.
• Consumer Protection & Data Privacy: Oversee the implementation of consumer rights frameworks and data privacy standards (e.g., GDPR and local equivalents) for both online and offline consumer touchpoints.
• Franchise & Distribution Excellence: Lead the drafting and negotiation of complex international franchise, wholesale, and distribution agreements, ensuring the brand's premium positioning is legally protected across all sales channels.
• Commercial Partnerships: Provide high-stakes legal support for major international commercial partnerships, shop-in-shop concepts, and joint ventures during new market entries.
• Global IP & Brand Protection Support:
• Strategy Implementation: Act as the key regional partner in executing the Group’s global intellectual property strategy across all international markets (excl. China).
• Portfolio Coordination: Support the Group IP department in managing the trademark portfolio within the jurisdictions, ensuring local filings and renewals are aligned with HQ’s global standards.
• Enforcement & Anti-Counterfeiting: Lead the operational execution of anti-counterfeiting initiatives and brand protection actions in international markets, working in close collaboration with the Group’s centralized IP function to combat infringements.
• Supply Chain, ESG & Logistics Infrastructure:
• Strategic ESG Compliance: Take ownership of the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG) and EU ESG directives. Ensure that our global value chain—from raw material sourcing to final delivery—meets the highest ethical and environmental standards.
• Logistics & Infrastructure Support: Provide legal leadership for the strategic planning and expansion of international logistics hubs, including the legal structuring, leasing, and operational compliance of our Hamburg warehouse and other global distribution centers.
• Green Logistics Initiatives: Support the legal framework for “Green Logistics” and sustainable supply chain initiatives, ensuring that transportation and warehousing partnerships align with the Group's long-term ESG commitments and carbon footprint goals.

Qualification & Skills:

• Legal Credentials: Fully qualified German Lawyer (Volljurist) with excellent state examinations, or an equivalent high-level international legal qualification with a deep understanding of Civil Law and Common Law systems.
• Experience: 10+ years (minimum 8 years post-qualification) of legal practice, with a proven track record of leading global legal functions within the premium retail, apparel, or lifestyle sectors.
• Cross-Cultural Capacity: Demonstrated ability to navigate and bridge cultural nuances between Western (European/German) and Asian (specifically Chinese) business mentalities. You must possess the "cultural agility" to translate HQ’s legal logic into locally resonant yet compliant actions across diverse global markets.
• Strategic Mindset: A proactive “Business-Enabler” who ensures that legal execution is never a bottleneck but a driver for the overarching global strategic logic.
• Communication & Diplomacy: Native-level fluency in German and English. Exceptional interpersonal skills to maintain professional synergy with the China team and the gravitas to influence regional heads globally.
• Independence & Integrity: Strong professional independence and “moral compass” to uphold HQ’s standards and compliance mandates, even when facing significant regional operational pressures.

Opportunity Highlights:

• Permanent employment contract
• Strong long-term career development opportunities
• International and dynamic working environment
• Attractive employee benefits and flexible working culture