Company Lawyer Europe

We’ve been inspiring and enabling what moves the world forward for more than 150 years, starting with the invention of the world’s first branded motor oil. Today, we’re a leading worldwide marketer and supplier of premium branded lubricants, automotive and industrial chemicals, and a business solutions provider to our customers and partners, driven every day by a people-centered focus on innovation and customer excellence.

We’re proud to be The Original—the first to see potential in things others overlook. Originals are the first to develop sustainable solutions. Originals move the world forward. At Valvoline Global Products, that’s what we do every day in over 140 countries worldwide. We create future-ready products that improve the performance of automotive and industrial equipment and services that help our businesses grow and thrive. As The Original, we’ve been innovating to solve problems for over 150 years. And we’ll continue to invent and reinvent the way forward, to always meet our customers’ needs – today and in the future.

Living out our values is what makes our company, our employees, our partners, our customers, and the communities we serve, great. It is our responsibility. It is what drives us. It is who we are.

We’re looking for people who care, operate with integrity, strive for excellence in everything they do, are eager to develop new skills to win, are unified in our way of working, and show passion for delivering on our commitment to all our stakeholders. We are looking for Hungry, Humble, and Smart individuals. If this is you, you’ve come to the right place, and we invite you to join The Original!

Valvoline has a rewarding opportunity for a Company Lawyer - Europe who manages Valvoline Global Operation's (“VGO”) legal affairs in the region with accountability to drive the legal function and to thrive a fast-paced, ever-changing environment. This role will provide key support to the European business as a focus including but not limited to establishing close collaborative relationships and support to stakeholders (internal / external), overseeing and maintaining business, commercial and corporate matters, contract management and maintenance. To support the European business leadership teams in collaboration with the EMEA Company lawyer on various matters in supporting Valvoline's growth in the region.

• In conjunction with the (functional) lead attorneys, acts as the key liaison supporting the European business and providing legal opinions and advice in areas, such as termination of contracts, antitrust, procurement, intellectual property, product liability, general litigation, employment matters, compliance with laws including trade regulation and Valvoline Global policies.
• Maintains sound relationships with the European business across all VGO functions including Commercial, Finance, Supply Chain, Procurement, Marketing, Human Resources and to provide regular reporting on all legal matters to relevant stakeholders including the Company Lawyer- EMEA. Effective legal support / relationship management to the business's key major accounts across the region.
• Drafts, negotiates and finalizes a broad range of commercial, procurement contracts and other agreements including, but not limited to, distributor, supply agreements, marketing, sponsorship and promotion agreements, as well as raw materials purchase agreements, product sale, employment, lease and logistics services agreements.
• Estimates risks in advance, predicts issues where possible; proactively looks for solutions and better practices to mitigate risk; oversees complex legal matters with multiple stakeholders.
• Assists with legal tasks/projects as directed by the Company Lawyer - EMEA as well as on all various and general legal matters for the European business and region. Overseeing secretarial and other corporate related governance documentation of all European legal entities in collaboration with the Senior Paralegal.. Maintaining structure and records of intercompany service, license and other agreements, in consultation with the applicable departments.
• Monitors (and advises business) of legislative and other legal developments that are relevant to the business; advises the business and Legal Department members accordingly. Handling litigation, risk mitigation and control of civil and administrative claims. Providing advice to stakeholders on litigation matters.
• Collaborates with the Compliance Lead and Company Lawyer – EMEA in promoting and supporting all compliances/regulatory/ethics (including anti-corruption laws, trade regulations, competition law, personal data protection) across the organization (including corporate office, manufacturing plants and warehouses). Obtaining of internal and regulatory approvals, filings etc. in accordance with laws and company policies.,
• Manages 3rd party risk management for the European region. Support the conduct of due diligence evaluations and reviews for all 3rd parties in scope, in collaboration with the Senior Paralegal

• Bachelor’s degree (LLB) from an accredited university required.
• Minimum 3 to 5 years post admission experience as lawyer in commercial and contractual law

• Excellent command over all Legal and Compliance aspects and matters and should be able to formulate strategies to deal with such matters
• Well acquainted with applicable laws, guidelines, regulations
• Excellent communication skills and fluency in English language, both written and oral, drafting and negotiation skills.
• Timely decision making, offering practical business sound solutions. Solutions and customer oriented
• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with team members, staff and external contacts, and to work effectively in a professional team environment
• Ideal Team Player
• Creative and a lateral thinker
• Reporting skills, research skills, legal administration skills
• Stakeholder relationships, planning, prioritization, attention to detail
• Confidentiality, reliability, interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to cope with confidential, complex matters
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, ability to take direction and work independently
• Shows initiatives and committed to continuous professional development
• Professional knowledge and skills. Implements policies, procedures, and compliance standards and regulations
• Case/project management skills and demonstrates solid written, interpersonal, analytical, and application skills.
• Works as a contributory team member building positive relationships to efficiently execute legal requirements, and timely, accurate, legal services
• Integrity and passion
• Strong organizational and planning skills in a fast-paced environment, able to set priorities and meet deadlines
• Ability to cope with confidential, complex matters
• Hands on, proactive and problem solving mentality, able to work on different projects at the same time
• Confidence in dealing with people, be able to build productive working relationships at all levels within organizations both internally and externally
• An effective team player but comfortable to work individually
• Fluent in English (reading, writing, speaking)

Valvoline provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Are you good at what you do? Join us.