Head of Legal, Ukraine

For our client, global retail, we are looking for Head of Legal, Ukraine  

Reporting to: General Manager Ukraine and functionally to Legal Head CEE 

Location: Kyiv/Ukraine (hybrid/flexible)  

Main responsibilities:

• Ensure business is carried out in compliance with Ukrainian legislation in all its activities;
• Participation in handling regional and global Legal projects.
• Review of commercial agreements with major business partners to prevent and/or resolve disputes;
• Follow the development and advise the management of new legislation and legal practices relevant to the business. Build a position of respect amongst policy makers to create the opportunity to influence emerging legislation;
• Ethics & Compliance focal point 
• Maintain and enhance the relations with the government, the partners on all legal, contractual, and license-related matters;
• Focal point on all legal matters related to US Export Controls Compliance and Ukraine and EU competition Law Compliance;
• Assist in the efficient and expeditious settlement of claims and other disputes related to the business which merit attention from a legal and/or contractual point of view, including the efficient handling of office visits by authorities;
• Advise, negotiate, and draft works and services, sale and purchase of land, and other commercial agreements;
• Manage and implement compliance activities and initiatives; 
• Advise on dispute resolution, employment related matters, day-to-day operational matters, and other cross-sector legal issues.

Profile of the person we are looking for:

• 8+ years of legal experience; 
• Excellent negotiating and legal drafting skills;
• Extensive experience in legal and commercial negotiations;
• Experience in dealing with complex international civil law contracts;
• Ability to develop and sustain relationships with clients of all levels and with policy makers, regulatory bodies, external legal counsel, and local management;
• High level of commercial astuteness and business sense;
• Strong analytical skills and an ability to find creative solutions to legal and commercial issues within acceptable legal frameworks;
• Ability to handle complex and sensitive government and partner relations;
• Solid understanding of corporate, contract, real estate, intellectual property (branding), HSSE and anti-competition legislation; 
• Higher legal education;
• Knowledge of the English language (advanced level); 
• Experience in leading and developing team;