We are seeking a Senior Legal Counsel for one of our clients. Someone who will play a critical role in advising company’s leadership on legal and regulatory matters, ensuring adherence to German and EU education, corporate, and data privacy laws, while supporting contracts, institutional partnerships, and compliance. This is a strategic role that blends traditional legal counsel responsibilities with sector-specific insight.
Regulatory Compliance
Ensure compliance with German higher education laws, particularly those relevant to private institutions and state recognition of programs.
Oversee compliance with GDPR and student data protection regulations.
Draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts, student enrollment agreements, affiliation/MoU agreements with the university, and real estate development/management agreements and other service provider agreements.
Support licensing agreements, academic partnerships, and joint ventures.
~ Support audits, site visits, and governmental inspections where legal expertise is required.
Fully qualified German lawyer (Zweites Staatsexamen) with good standing to practice law in Germany.
Minimum 5-8 years of legal experience, ideally in the education, public-private partnerships, or commercial sector.
Strong knowledge of German higher education law, administrative law, and data protection (GDPR).
Fluency in German and English is required.
Experience working with or in private universities, Fachhochschulen, or educational startups.