General Legal Counsel (m/f/d)
📍 Munich, Germany | Reports to CFO / Management Team
A fast-growing pan-European Testing, Inspection & Certification (TIC) platform is looking to appoint its first General Legal Counsel .
The group brings together 40+ founder-led businesses across Europe and operates with a combined revenue base of €300–500m. The ambition: to build a truly integrated European platform through disciplined M&A, operational excellence, and strong governance.
The Opportunity
This is a build-from-scratch role. You won’t inherit an established legal department — you’ll design and own it .
You will internalise legal know-how, reduce dependency on external counsel, and act as a key enabler of a high-velocity buy-and-build strategy. Expect a hands-on role at the centre of transactions, operations, and group governance.
Key Responsibilities
M&A & Transaction Management
* Own pre-DD checks and document reviews to streamline deal execution
* Review and negotiate SPAs in line with group standards
* Coordinate and steer external M&A counsel for efficiency and quality
Corporate, Commercial & Employment Law
* Draft and review key contracts in-house (NDAs, financing, HR/service agreements)
* Act as legal sparring partner to HR and Treasury (KYC, corporate housekeeping, register updates)
* Manage external advisors where required
Standardisation & Scaling
* Build a group-wide library of contract templates and legal playbooks
* Roll out best practices across portfolio companies
Risk, Compliance & Governance
* Design and implement group-wide risk and compliance frameworks
* Lead data protection strategy and TOMs; potential to act as Group DPO
Legal Operations & Cost Control
* Establish strict cost controlling for external legal spend
* Implement a central contract and knowledge management system
Your Profile
* 4–6 years’ experience in top-tier law firms (M&A/Corporate) or a fast-paced in-house environment
* Fully qualified lawyer ( Volljurist ) or equivalent international qualification
* Strong exposure to M&A, ideally in a buy-and-build setting
* Pragmatic, hands-on, and commercially minded
* Comfortable operating independently and building structures from zero
* Fluent German and English
What’s On Offer
* High-impact role with direct influence on P&L and risk profile
* Flat hierarchies and fast decision-making
* Flexible working model
* Central Munich location
* Open, entrepreneurial team culture
Apply Now with your CV!