General Counsel - Shipping

Angle Recruitment has exclusively partnered with a reputable global shipping company operating across key markets worldwide. This trusted name in the maritime industry is known for delivering innovative solutions while maintaining the highest standards of legal, regulatory, and corporate governance compliance.
  
To support their continued growth, we are seeking a strategic and hands-on General Counsel / Chief Legal Officer (CLO) to oversee the Group’s legal affairs, cargo claims, compliance, and corporate governance at a global level.

Position Overview:

The General Counsel / Chief Legal Officer will play a critical leadership role, managing legal risk and contributing directly to broader strategic and commercial decision-making. This is a high-impact, hands-on position, requiring an experienced professional capable of operating independently at both a strategic and operational level, ensuring the Group meets its legal obligations while proactively supporting business expansion.

Key Responsibilities:
  
Strategic Legal Leadership:

• Serve as a key advisor to the Board, CEO, and executive leadership, providing strategic legal guidance on corporate initiatives, commercial strategy, and risk management.
• Lead the development and implementation of corporate governance frameworks across the Group.
• Support M&A activities, joint ventures, and major commercial transactions, embedding legal and compliance considerations from the outset.

• Oversee the establishment and maintenance of legal entities across various jurisdictions, ensuring full compliance with local and international laws.
• Draft and review corporate governance documents, including shareholder agreements, board resolutions, and constitutional documents.
• Advise on group structure optimisation to support business growth and operational efficiency.

• Manage and resolve cargo claims and disputes, coordinating with operational teams and external legal counsel as needed.
• Handle claims arising from loss, damage, or delay of cargo, ensuring efficient resolutions while protecting commercial interests.
• Develop proactive measures and training programmes to reduce future claims exposure.

• Monitor and ensure compliance with global regulatory requirements, including sanctions regimes, anti-corruption legislation, maritime environmental regulations, and trade controls.
• Lead the development of internal compliance policies and procedures.
• Conduct regular risk assessments and advise leadership on emerging regulatory risks and opportunities.

• Build and manage relationships with external counsel, regulatory authorities, insurers, and key industry stakeholders.
• Represent the company externally where necessary, ensuring the company’s legal and reputational interests are safeguarded.

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Law from a reputable institution; qualified to practise law in a recognised jurisdiction.
• Experience: Significant experience in corporate law, maritime law, compliance, and governance within an international shipping company.
• Leadership: Experience as a General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer, or senior legal executive in a global organisation is highly desirable.
• Global Expertise: In-depth knowledge of international legal frameworks impacting shipping and offshore industries.
• Attributes: Strategic, resilient, proactive, and adept at managing complex priorities in a dynamic global environment.