Head of Legal & Regulatory - Senior Manager (All genders welcome)

Head of Legal & Regulatory (all genders welcome)

Location: Kia Europe Headquarters, Frankfurt/Main, Germany. Department: Legal Department.

Job mission

As a Senior Manager, you will lead and influence through specialist advisory or commercial roles, and oversee significant work programs comprising multiple projects. You will be responsible for developing and delivering the medium‑term plan, including defining resourcing and KPIs, and determining the team’s role within that plan, with a forward‑looking perspective of up to 12 months. You will manage and coach a (project) team, providing clear business direction, motivation, support, and development, while adapting your people‑management style to suit the needs and personalities of individual team members.

Main responsibilities

The Head of Legal & Regulatory leads the European Legal & Regulatory department and serves as the primary legal adviser to the General Counsel and regional leadership. The role oversees all legal, regulatory, and compliance aspects across the European organization, including EU competition law, vehicle/type approval and regulatory affairs, ESG regulatory compliance, and third‑party due diligence frameworks.

This role requires a fully qualified lawyer with strong leadership capability, excellent judgment, and the ability to manage complex cross‑border legal and regulatory issues while providing pragmatic support to business teams. The Head of Legal & Regulatory also represents the organization in dealings with supervisory authorities, regulators, external counsel, and industry bodies.

Department Leadership & Strategic Advisory

• Provide strategic leadership for the Legal & Regulatory function, ensuring that legal priorities align with business objectives and long‑term European strategy.
• Act as a senior adviser to the General Counsel, contributing proactively to strategic decision‑making, risk anticipation, and business planning.
• Lead and develop a high‑performing Legal & Regulatory team, fostering capability growth, engagement, accountability, and a collaborative team culture.
• Set and uphold governance standards, legal frameworks, policies, and processes to ensure legal integrity and consistent decision‑making across the organization.
• Shape the legal department’s roadmap, operating model, and resource planning.
• Manage external counsel strategically, including selection, oversight, cost effectiveness, and quality assurance.
• Strengthen cross‑functional collaboration with key departments such as Compliance, ESG, Finance, P&O, IT/Security and Safety.

Strategic Legal Risk Management

• Identify and assess emerging legal and regulatory risks affecting the business and translate them into actionable strategies.
• Provide strategic guidance on complex and cross‑functional matters, including commercial, corporate, compliance, and regulatory topics.
• Ensure the organization maintains a strong risk posture, including robust internal controls, documentation, and audit readiness.
• Represent the Legal & Regulatory function in strategic forums, leadership committees, and critical business initiatives.

External Engagement & Regulatory Navigation

• Shape and oversee the organization’s approach to interactions with regulators, authorities, and external stakeholders.
• Provide senior guidance on regulatory developments across competition law, vehicle regulatory frameworks, ESG, and due‑diligence‑related legislation.
• Support advocacy positions in relevant industry forums and EU consultations.

Your talents

• Fully qualified lawyer (e.g., German Volljurist, Syndikusrechtsanwalt, Solicitor, Avocat, or equivalent EU qualification).
• Minimum 10 years post‑qualification experience in an international corporate environment and/or a leading law firm.
• Strong experience in commercial and corporate law, governance, and legal advisory to senior leadership.
• Deep knowledge in antitrust & competition, type approval & vehicle regulatory frameworks, ESG, and due‑diligence‑related legislation.
• Familiarity with EU competition law, regulatory topics, ESG developments, and compliance frameworks.
• Experience in managing teams, stakeholders, and cross‑functional initiatives.
• Excellent English skills required; additional languages are an asset.

Benefits

• A vibrant international atmosphere where our workforce represents 50+ nations.
• Playing a pivotal role in shaping Kia's culture in Europe, actively contributing to its development.
• Exploring new solutions, where your creative input matters significantly.
• Enjoying a competitive compensation package, including a Job ticket, consistent on‑the‑job training, a complimentary staff restaurant, and engaging company events.