Automotive Legal Counsel
On-siteMadrid, Madrid, Spain
Job Summary
Act as a primary legal advisor for EU operations, providing guidance on foreign direct investment, mergers and acquisitions, factory cooperation, import and customs, distributor management, retail operations, industry compliance, and employment matters. Draft, review, negotiate, and standardize contracts including KD cooperation agreements, dealer agreements, sales contracts, warranties, leases, and outsourced service agreements. Collaborate with the China Head Office to adapt global compliance policies for the EU market. Oversee GDPR and emerging European privacy laws, monitor regulatory changes across EU countries to mitigate risks, and ensure corporate governance compliance with statutory submissions. Support supply chain operations by addressing import/export and logistics legal issues. Develop training programs on data privacy and contract management, manage external counsel relationships, and provide ad hoc support to EU leadership.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent in law from a reputable law school
- Active bar membership in good standing
- 5 plus years' post-qualification experience in reputable law firms and/or in-house environment
- Expertise in automobile, manufacturing or retail industries
- Experience with supply chain operations, import/export compliance, or international trade law
- Familiarity with EU legal issues impacting automobile, manufacturing, retail, international trade, real property leasing, data privacy, brand marketing, commercial contracts and employment
- Demonstrated ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with global teams
- Familiarity with global operations, especially interactions with Chinese entities
- Adaptability to a fast-paced, multicultural environment with competing priorities
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English
- Detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills
- Willingness to travel domestically and occasionally internationally as required
Desired Qualifications
- Active bar membership preferably in the UK, Netherlands, Germany, Spain or Italy
- Experience in automobile, manufacturing or retail industries
- Experience with supply chain operations, import/export compliance, or international trade law
- Familiarity with EU legal issues impacting automobile, manufacturing, retail, international trade, real property leasing, data privacy, brand marketing, commercial contracts and employment
- Demonstrated ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with global teams
- Familiarity with global operations, especially interactions with Chinese entities
- Adaptability to a fast-paced, multicultural environment with competing priorities
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English
- Detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills
- Mandarin Chinese proficiency
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