About Us
CHN Energy Europe Research Institute (hereinafter referred to as the “European Institute”) is located in Berlin, Germany. It was officially registered in Berlin in 2022 and was formally inaugurated and commenced operations in August 2023. Centered on the green development strategy and the strategy of innovation-driven scientific and technological development, the European Institute is committed to building a world-class overseas research institute with global competitiveness. It focuses on six key R&D areas: diversified power conversion, advanced chemical engineering, hydrogen energy, artificial intelligence, energy storage, and new environmental protection technologies.
Senior Legal Consultant (m/f/d)
The Role
We are looking for an experienced, pragmatic and business-oriented legal professional to support the European Institute's operations in Germany and its international activities.
As Senior Legal Consultant, you will provide legal guidance to management and colleagues, advise on corporate and commercial matters, support compliance initiatives, and collaborate with external legal advisers on specialised issues.
This role offers the opportunity to take ownership of diverse legal matters, contribute to the development of internal policies and processes, and support an international scientific organisation.
Your Responsibilities
- Legal Advisory & Business Support: Provide practical legal advice to management and business units on corporate, commercial and operational matters. Support informed decision-making by identifying legal risks and proposing workable solutions.
- Compliance & Corporate Governance: Support compliance with applicable German and EU laws and regulations. Develop, review and improve internal policies relating to data protection (GDPR), corporate governance, regulatory compliance and internal controls.
- Contract Management & Negotiation: Draft, review and negotiate commercial agreements, service contracts, supplier agreements, employment-related documents and international cooperation agreements.
- International & Cross-Border Legal Coordination: Support international business activities, particularly between Europe and China. Coordinate with external legal advisers across jurisdictions and help align local legal requirements with internal governance standards.
- Employment Law & HR Support: Advise on German employment law matters, including employment contracts, contractual amendments, terminations and employment-related disputes.
- Legal Risk Management & Dispute Resolution: Identify and assess legal risks, recommend appropriate mitigation measures and support dispute resolution in collaboration with management and external legal counsel.
- Legal Monitoring & Reporting: Monitor relevant legislative and regulatory developments, assess their impact on the organisation and prepare practical legal updates for management and relevant stakeholders.
What You Bring
- A degree in Law, preferably with a professional legal qualification in Germany or another EU jurisdiction.
- Several years of professional experience in corporate law, commercial law or in-house legal advisory work.
- Sound knowledge of German and EU legal frameworks, with the ability to apply legal requirements to practical business situations.
- Proven experience in drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial agreements.
- Strong analytical skills, sound legal judgement and a solution-oriented approach.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively in an international environment.
- Excellent German (C1/C2), including the ability to work independently with complex legal documents, together with professional proficiency in English. Chinese language skills are an additional advantage.
Experience in an international company, research organisation or cross-border business environment would be particularly valuable.
What We Offer
- Meaningful work and professional impact: Contribute to the development of an international research institute dedicated to energy innovation and sustainable technologies.
- Responsibility and professional ownership: Take on a varied in-house legal role with the opportunity to develop practical legal solutions and help shape internal processes.
- International and interdisciplinary collaboration: Work closely with management, scientific teams and external legal advisers in a multicultural, research-driven environment.
- Competitive Remuneration and Benefits: An attractive compensation and benefits package that reflects the responsibilities of the role, professional qualifications, and relevant experience, in accordance with company policies.
- A collaborative workplace in Berlin: A professional environment that values constructive communication, mutual respect and cross-functional cooperation. Working arrangements and on-site expectations will be discussed transparently during recruitment.
How to Apply
If you would like to contribute your legal expertise to an international research organisation, we would be pleased to hear from you.
Please send your CV and a brief introduction outlining your relevant experience to:
recruitment@chnenergyeurope.com
Email subject: Application – Senior Legal Consultant
You are welcome to include your salary expectations, availability and preferred starting date.
Please refrain from submitting sensitive personal documents at the initial application stage.
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds. Recruitment decisions are based on professional qualifications, relevant experience and suitability for the role.