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The Lead Counsel – EMEA serves as a legal advisor for Valvoline Global Operations across the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region. This role ensures legal compliance, risk mitigation, and governance across a complex, multi-jurisdictional legal landscape. The Lead Counsel advises regional leadership on commercial, corporate, compliance, employment, and regulatory legal matters, and oversees legal activities within the region. This role is a key member of the regional leadership team and acts as a trusted advisor to business leaders, while also managing legal team members and external counsel throughout EMEA.
Job Responsibility:
Provide Legal Counsel Across EMEA: Advise executive and regional leadership on legal risks, regulatory obligations, and compliance standards affecting operations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, and local jurisdictions
Oversee Regulatory and Ethics Compliance: Lead regional compliance efforts related to anti-bribery, antitrust, trade regulations, and data protection (including GDPR). Ensure the organization adheres to both internal governance policies and external legal frameworks
Draft and Negotiate Commercial Contracts: Draft, review, and negotiate national and international contracts including agency, distribution, procurement, services, employment, and logistics agreements to support business continuity and mitigate risk
Manage Data Privacy and Serve as Regional DPO: Act as the main point of contact for GDPR compliance across the region, overseeing the company’s data processing activities, coordinating with supervisory authorities, and ensuring adherence to evolving privacy laws
Support Corporate Governance and Entity Management: Maintain legal entity records and secretarial documentation for entities established or existing in the region. Prepare resolutions and ensure intercompany agreements are current, compliant, and aligned with operational changes
Lead Litigation, Risk Management, and Dispute Resolution: Oversee litigation strategy and manage civil or administrative claims in the region. Supervise external counsel and ensure cost-effective, high-quality legal representation
Advise on Employment Law and Labor Relations: Counsel HR and management on employee-related legal matters including reorganizations, employment contracts, consultations, and dispute resolution under varying national laws
Conduct Due Diligence and Manage 3rd Party Risk: Oversee third-party risk management and due diligence related to vendors, partners, and acquisitions. Ensure that third-party relationships align with company policies and compliance obligations
Support Strategic Transactions: Provide legal advice and documentation support for strategic initiatives such as mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and divestitures involving EMEA operations
Monitor and Report on Legal Developments: Continuously track relevant legal developments across the region and proactively advise business and legal stakeholders on regulatory impacts
Collaborate Cross-Functionally and Globally: Partner with internal teams across Finance, HR, Operations, Commercial, and Sourcing, as well as with global legal, tax, treasury, and communications colleagues
Lead and Mentor Legal Professionals: Directly manage and develop legal team members in the region. Supervise external counsel, allocate legal resources, and build a high-performing legal support model
Requirements:
Qualified to practice law in at least one major EMEA jurisdiction
Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB) from an accredited institution
advanced legal degree preferred
Minimum 10 years of relevant legal experience in a law firm or corporate legal department, with significant time spent in a regional or international role
Deep expertise in commercial, corporate, labor, regulatory, compliance, data privacy, and anti-bribery laws applicable across EMEA
Experience leading or managing legal professionals and overseeing external counsel
Strong contract drafting, negotiation, and dispute resolution skills
Proven ability to operate in a matrixed, multinational environment and to partner across functions and borders
Fluent in English
additional languages (e.g., Arabic, French, or German) preferred
Proficient in Microsoft Office and comfortable working in digital contract and compliance management systems
Nice to have:
Strategic Influence – Advises with clarity and credibility at the executive level and aligns legal guidance with business objectives
Cross-Cultural Agility – Navigates complex cultural, legal, and business environments with ease and effectiveness
Executional Excellence – Delivers accurate and timely legal outcomes in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment
Risk Management Orientation – Identifies, mitigates, and communicates legal risks before they impact the business
Leadership and Mentorship – Develops talent, leads with empathy and confidence, and cultivates high-performing legal teams