About the role
We are seeking a VP & General Counsel to lead the Legal & Compliance function across the EMEIA Division of ASSA ABLOY. The role is based in Woking, Surrey, and reports to the SVP & CFO EMEIA. It involves a hybrid working model with 2–3 days per week in the office and requires domestic and international travel.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and develop the EMEIA Legal & Compliance function, including team leadership, talent development, and operating model design.
* Serve as a trusted adviser to the EMEIA Divisional Board and Business Areas on legal risk and governance matters.
* Drive a prevention‑focused approach, reducing repeat issues through improved contracting, controls, and training.
* Design and implement procedures and processes to deploy Group legal and compliance policies across the division.
* Support Business Areas, product and functional teams in a variety of legal matters, including data privacy, cyber security, export control and sanctions regimes, product safety and liability, intellectual property, and labour laws.
* Draft, negotiate, and interpret a wide range of contracts, including sales, technology, software, and IP‑related agreements and licenses.
* Support litigation, arbitration, investigations and claims management, including strategy, risk assessment and cost control.
* Instruct, manage and challenge external counsel effectively, ensuring high‑quality outcomes and disciplined use of spend.
* Ensure legal exposure within the Division is reported to the Group.
* Work with the M&A Team supporting the legal workstream for transactions across due diligence, transaction structuring and post‑acquisition integration.
* Support crisis management, conduct compliance investigations in conjunction with Internal Audit and HR, and regularly report on such matters to the Group’s Code of Conduct Committee.
* Monitor and interpret legal and regulatory developments impacting EMEIA markets and translate them into practical guidance for the business.
* Assist in any other duties required to support the achievement of Group objectives.
Skills & Experience
* Law degree from a reputable university.
* Qualified as a lawyer in a common law jurisdiction.
* Significant post‑qualified experience in international business law, including in‑house experience within a multinational organisation and experience from a leading law firm.
* Demonstrated people leadership experience, ideally leading regional or global legal teams.
* Praised ability to operate collaboratively in complex, multi‑cultural and multi‑jurisdictional environments, building trust across functions and geographies.
* Commercially minded, pragmatic and solutions‑oriented with hands‑on delivery.
* Knowledge and experience in trade compliance, antitrust, product liability/safety, IPR, data privacy, commercial contract law and M&A.
* Proactive with the ability to think logically outside the box to provide practical win‑win solutions that protect ASSA ABLOY’s legal interests.
* Strong organizational skills and attention to detail on multiple projects simultaneously, adjusting to changing priorities and deadlines.
* Fluency in written and spoken English; other language skills are desirable.
* Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence and build trust at all levels of the business.
* Proficiency in MS Office 365, particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams and AI tools.
* Experience working in the manufacturing or engineering industry in an international environment is a distinct advantage.
* Must be legally eligible to work in the country where you are hired.
About ASSA ABLOY
ASSA ABLOY is a global leader in access solutions that empowers people to access spaces safely, securely and easily. With nearly 63,000 colleagues in more than 70 countries, we drive innovation across homes, businesses and institutions worldwide.
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