Interim Regional General Counsel (EMEA)

London preferred | Hybrid | Immediate start | Interim (3–6 months)

The Business

A global petrochemicals and industrial lubricants business (motor oils, greases and specialty lubricants), operating across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and backed by a major international energy group.

The company has manufacturing, commercial and sales operations across EMEA, with a newly established EMEA leadership hub in London, and is undergoing a period of growth, organisational change and increasing complexity.

This is a fast‑paced, highly operational environment requiring senior legal leadership with strong commercial judgement and regional experience.

The Opportunity

Following the departure of both the Regional EMEA leader and the prior senior regional legal lead, the business requires immediate, senior interim legal cover for EMEA.

This is a Regional GC‑level role, responsible for stabilising, guiding and supporting the EMEA leadership team while a permanent search is ongoing (expected c.3–6 months). The successful interim will act as the right‑hand legal partner to the regional leadership and play a critical role in maintaining momentum and reducing risk during this transition period.

The role reports into US‑based senior legal leadership, with limited US interaction day‑to‑day and primary focus on EMEA stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the most senior legal leader for EMEA, covering Europe, the Middle East and Africa
• Serve as a trusted business partner to the EMEA leadership team (largely London‑based), participating in leadership meetings and decision‑making
• Commercial contracts (distribution, sales, supply, manufacturing, services)
• Industrial / petrochemical manufacturing operations
• Employment and labour matters across multiple jurisdictions
• Regulatory, compliance, ethics, anti‑bribery and trade matters
• Disputes and litigation management
• Provide legal input on Middle East and Saudi‑related matters
• Oversee and coordinate external counsel across EMEA (c.30% of workload)
• Support and interact with an existing lean in‑house legal team based in Europe and Saudi Arabia
• Bring structure, calm and clarity to a complex, fast‑moving regional environment
• Manage risk proactively while enabling the business to continue operating at pace

Candidate Profile

• England & Wales qualified solicitor current or former Regional GC, Deputy GC or GC‑level
• Strong background in petrochemicals, energy, chemicals or industrial manufacturing (essential)
• Proven experience covering multi‑jurisdictional EMEA legal matters
• Comfortable operating in fast‑paced, high‑pressure, operational environments
• Confident engaging with senior business leaders, US legal leadership and Middle East stakeholders
• Pragmatic, commercial and comfortable being hands‑on from day one

Practicalities

• Immediate start required (ideally within 1 week)
• Interim requirement for c.3–6 months
• Can start c.3 days per week initially, scaling as required
• London preferred (hybrid working); regional travel as needed