Job Description
About Departer – The German Headhunter:
Departer is a leading German Executive Search firm with over 20 years of experience in global leadership recruitment. We specialize in placing executives in medium-sized enterprises and private equity portfolio firms across DACH, MEAI, ASIA, and ANZ regions. With a deep understanding of the DACH economy, we facilitate successful placements within global management teams across corporate headquarters and entities abroad.
Our client is a globally renowned automotive OEM with a long-standing reputation for innovation, quality, and sustainability. As a leader in the automotive sector, the company is expanding its operations in North Africa, with a major production hub in Tangier, Morocco. To support its growing business and ensure legal compliance across all facets of the organization, the company is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Head of Legal (m/f/d) to join its senior leadership team.
The Head of Legal (m/f/d) will serve as the chief legal advisor for the company’s North African operations, with a particular focus on Morocco. This is a senior executive role, responsible for overseeing all legal matters related to corporate governance, regulatory compliance, contracts, intellectual property, and dispute resolution. As a key member of the executive team, you will provide strategic legal counsel, manage legal risks, and ensure the company’s interests are protected in all legal and regulatory matters. The ideal candidate will be an Arabic-speaking legal expert with extensive experience in the automotive or industrial sectors, particularly in complex, multinational environments.
Your duties and responsibilities will include:
- Lead the legal function for the company’s North African operations, providing comprehensive legal support and strategic advice to senior management
- Ensure full compliance with local and international laws, regulations, and industry standards in all aspects of the company’s business activities
- Oversee corporate governance, ensuring the company operates within the legal framework and adheres to best practices
- Draft, review, and negotiate complex commercial contracts, including supplier agreements, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships
- Manage and mitigate legal risks by implementing robust risk management policies and procedures across the organization
- Lead legal due diligence for mergers, acquisitions, and other significant corporate transactions
- Oversee intellectual property matters, ensuring the protection of the company’s patents, trademarks, and proprietary technology
- Handle litigation and dispute resolution, representing the company’s interests in negotiations, arbitrations, and court proceedings
- Provide legal training and guidance to internal teams, ensuring that all employees understand their legal obligations and responsibilities
- Monitor changes in the legal landscape, providing proactive advice to the executive team on emerging legal risks and regulatory developments
- Collaborate closely with external legal counsel and manage relationships with law firms and other legal service providers
To be successful in this role you should have the following skills and experiences:
- A degree in Law (LLB or equivalent) from a recognized institution; a Master of Laws (LLM) or other advanced legal qualifications is highly desirable
- A minimum of 10 years of legal experience, with a significant portion spent in a senior legal role within the automotive, manufacturing, or industrial sectors
- Fluency in Arabic and English is essential, with strong communication skills in both languages. Proficiency in French is advantageous
- Extensive knowledge of local and international legal frameworks, including corporate law, commercial law, regulatory compliance, and intellectual property rights
- Demonstrated experience in drafting and negotiating complex contracts, with the ability to manage high-value agreements and strategic partnerships
- Proven ability to manage legal risks and lead dispute resolution in complex, cross-border environments
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence key stakeholders at all levels of the organization
- A proactive, strategic thinker with strong business acumen and the ability to provide sound legal advice in fast-paced, high-pressure environments
- Experience working with multinational organizations and managing cross-functional teams is highly desirable
- Willingness to be based in Tangier, Morocco, with occasional travel as required