For our customer, a multinational, listed industry group headquartered in the Lausanne area, we are seeking a General Counsel. The job description reads as follows (with minor adjustments from us):

Responsibilities:

• Assume the roles of the group’s General Counsel and Company Secretary. Report to the CFO and manage a team of approx. 6 direct reports and 2 persons with dotted line
• As General Counsel, the responsibilities include:
  • Provide Legal & Compliance support to the Board of Directors and the Executive Management, to headquarters as well as its three divisions and legal entities group-wide. Advise on key global legal issues in the areas of contracts, litigation and corporate, taking into consideration business and resources
  • Manage and lead the global Legal & Compliance team, incl. 5 in-house counsels and the Chief Compliance Officer (all based at HO); develop, guide and train staff group-wide
  • Provide legal support to Mergers & Acquisitions projects
  • Develop key legal principles and monitor implementation of such principles
  • Develop and implement risk processes and procedures for legal & commercial aspects
  • Provide legal support and training to corporate functions (e.g., R&D, Procurement, Production, Quality, Marketing & Sales, Strategy, Finance, HR)
  • Provide support or manage corporate law aspects for group companies
  • Manage major litigation and arbitration proceedings, strategic approach to the underlying dispute
  • Select, instruct, manage and supervise external legal service providers group-wide
  • Review and approve all significant tenders in the regions
  • Provide legal support on projects, contracts, claims management aspects for major projects
  • Develop and implement contractual templates (sales, supply chain etc.)
  • Develop and implement templates for parent company guarantees and lead the approval process for such parent company guarantees
  • Provide legal support to finance function on bonds, guarantees
  • Coordinate with relevant functions on product & project related insurance and tax aspects
  • Manage legal support and training for competition law, data protection law and other Compliance matters (in coordination with CCO)
• As Company Secretary, the responsibilities include:
  • Advise the members of the Board according to their roles as Directors and specifically the Chairman in all aspects of his tasks (Corporate Governance)
  • Manage the company files (articles of incorporation, regulations, share register, minutes)
  • Prepare invitations to Board meetings and the Annual General Meeting; take minutes
  • Update the pending items list for the BoD and the CEO
  • Check and update entries in the commercial register
  • Monitor new legislation and case law that may affect the group and its businesses, and advise the BoD on its implementation or other relevant action
• At a later stage, the General Counsel might coordinate the legal activities of Intellectual Property, whereby her/his responsibilities will include the following:
  • Manage and lead the Group Patent Counsel and indirectly his/her team of approx. 5 direct reports (patent and trademark specialists; all based at HO)
  • Direct and manage all IP matters, incl. patents and trademarks, in-house in coordination with CTO or with external counsel

Requirements:

• Swiss law degree or profound knowledge of Swiss Corporate Law; bar exam, LL.M. or MBA would be a plus
• At least 10 years Legal & Compliance experience gained at an international industry group (part of which may have been gained at a renowned law firm advising multinational industry clients); experience as Company Secretary at a Swiss listed company would be a plus
• Fluency in English and German (both at least level C1); French would be a plus
• Ability to analyze business requirements from a Legal & Compliance perspective and transform into actions and guidelines
• Used to manage various complex projects simultaneously
• Experience in planning and executing capital market and stock exchange transactions as well as M&A transactions
• Experience in corporate law, incl. establishment of legal entities, and competition law
• Experience in industrial-related Legal & Compliance trainings for management and staff
• Understanding of IP incl. patent law would be a plus
• Experience in the transformation/evolution of dynamically growing businesses would be a plus
• Proven track record in leadership and management skills; experience in the assessment and development of Legal & Compliance staff; intercultural experience would be a plus
• High personal integrity, distinctly entrepreneurial approach, used to work with confidential information
• Committed to avoid any reputation risks from a Legal & Compliance perspective
• Able to communicate and present in a clear and concise manner (orally and in writing)
• Down-to-earth character, solution-driven, goal-oriented and assertive with a diplomatic flair
• Proactive with a hands-on approach and a positive “can do” attitude
• Analytical and organizational skills; ability to handle various projects efficiently and simultaneously
• Interest and ability to build and manage effectively relationships (internally & externally)
• Interest and ability to work in an international setting with multi-disciplinary and cross-functional teams; strong awareness of cultural differences
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to create a common spirit within the Legal & Compliance teams in HQ as well as group-wide
• Ability to travel (10%)

Place of work: Lausanne area