Director - Head Of Corporate Governance / Lawyer (gn)

Director - Head Of Corporate Governance (gn)

For our client, a leading global universal bank with its European headquarters in Frankfurt, we are currently looking for a Director - Head Of Corporate Governance (gn) to strengthen the team.

Purpose of job

The role is responsible for managing the full spectrum of Corporate Secretariat activities, ensuring the Executive and Supervisory Boards, including their key Committees, operate in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations such as KWG, AktG and MaRisk. Furthermore, the position blends governance leadership with deep regulatory expertise to oversee board processes, fit & proper assessments and stakeholder communication across a broad range of senior internal and external counterparts, including BaFin, Bundesbank and the ECB.

Tasks

• Steering and organising the day-to-day operations of the Corporate Secretariat, including all core administrative processes.
• Accompanying and coordinating board activities for the Executive and Supervisory Boards and their respective Committees, ensuring adherence to all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
• Proactively planning and prioritising decision-making agendas in alignment with the annual business cycle and the respective fiduciary duties of the Boards and Committees.
• Ensuring seamless meeting organisation through timely preparation, quality assurance and circulation of all relevant materials and minutes.
• Guaranteeing legally sound and requirements-compliant recording of resolutions passed at the General Assembly and all board and committee meetings.
• Tracking and monitoring agreed measures and ensuring timely fulfilment of regulatory notification obligations.
• Serving as the central point of contact for independent Supervisory Board members and acting as the interface between non-executive board members and executive function holders.
• Overseeing and continuously developing internal processes to meet fit & proper requirements in accordance with CRD VI/KWG and the expectations of the ECB and national competent authorities.
• Preparing and communicating complex and sensitive matters to a broad range of senior internal and external stakeholders, including regulators such as BaFin, Bundesbank and ECB/JST.

Requirements

• Law degree required; ideally First and Second German State Examination or equivalent EU qualification.
• 8–10 years of experience in the financial sector with a strong focus on corporate law and governance in a German and European context.
• Sound knowledge of the relevant regulatory and legal frameworks at national and EU level.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a proven sensitivity to cross-cultural dynamics.
• Demonstrated experience in corporate governance within regulated financial institutions, including engagement with senior stakeholders and supervisory authorities.
• Ability to convey complex legal and regulatory content to non-specialist audiences with a commercially minded approach.
• Prior team management experience.
• Full professional proficiency in English and German.