CORPORATE LEGAL COUNSEL

Description

GLS Group is one of the largest parcel services providers in Europe, with a strong local presence in almost all countries across the continent. It also operates through wholly owned subsidiaries in Canada and on the USA’s West Coast within one GLS network. This allows GLS to seamlessly connect its customers and communities with millions of parcels and stories every day. GLS’ network connects its markets with high velocity and flexibility to respond to their fast-changing and dynamic nature. The company provides high quality service tailored to its customers’ needs across more than 50 countries. The GLS network consists of over 120 hubs and more than 1,600 depots, supported by more than 36,700 vans, light vehicles and walkers, and 6,400 trucks. This offers network resilience, superior flexibility, and extended reach. In 2024/25, GLS generated record revenues of 5.9 billion euros and delivered 926 million parcels across the markets. For more information, visit www.gls-group.com. 

Requirements

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

The Legal Counsel serves as the organization’s chief legal officer, responsible for providing strategic legal advice to executive leadership and the Board, ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, and managing legal risk across the enterprise.

This role will provide specialized legal oversight within the logistics and transportation industry, including final mile delivery operations, international logistics, cross-border trade, and export compliance. The LC supports business strategy and serves as a trusted advisor on governance, ethics, regulatory, and operational matters across domestic and global supply chain activities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic & Executive Leadership

• Serve as a strategic legal advisor to the CEO, executive leadership team, and Board of Directors
• Support organizational strategy by identifying and mitigating legal and regulatory risk
• Provide legal perspective on business initiatives, mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and investments
• Advise on legal implications of transportation network expansion, final mile delivery models, and international market entry

Legal Oversight & Risk Management:

• Oversee all legal matters including contracts, employment law, corporate governance, litigation, intellectual property, and compliance
• Assess and manage legal risk exposure; develop preventive law strategies
• Lead crisis management and respond to high-risk or sensitive legal matters
• Provide legal oversight related to transportation operations, carrier/vendor relationships, and logistics service agreements

Compliance & Governance:

• Ensure organizational compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations
• Oversee corporate governance practices, including Board resolutions, bylaws, and policies
• Promote ethical business practices and support codes of conduct and compliance programs
• Ensure compliance with transportation and logistics regulations (e.g., DOT, FMCSA, last-mile delivery requirements)
• Oversee compliance with international trade laws, import/export regulations, sanctions programs, and customs requirements

Contract Management:

• Review, draft, and negotiate complex commercial contracts and agreements
• Establish contract standards and approval processes
• Advise internal stakeholders on contractual obligations and risk
• Lead negotiation of carrier agreements, 3PL/vendor contracts, final mile delivery partnerships, and cross-border logistics agreements

Employment & Labor Law:

• Advise HR leadership on employment law matters, including employee relations, investigations, discipline, terminations, and compliance
• Support policy development and ensure alignment with employment regulations
• Provide guidance on independent contractor models, driver classification, and labor considerations within logistics and final mile operations

Litigation & External Counsel Management:

• Manage litigation strategy and oversee outside counsel
• Control legal spending and ensure cost-effective legal service delivery
• Evaluate and select external legal vendors and advisors
• Oversee disputes related to transportation, cargo claims, service failures, cross-border issues, and vendor performance

Team & Department Leadership:

• Lead and develop the legal team, including attorneys, paralegals, and compliance professionals
• Establish department goals, KPIs, and budgets
• Foster collaboration with HR, Finance, Risk, Compliance, and Operations
• Partner closely with Operations and Supply Chain leadership to align legal strategy with business execution
• May be required to perform tasks beyond those explicitly listed in this role

FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
• Minimum 8–12 years of progressive legal experience, including senior-level leadership
• Experience in corporate, commercial, or regulatory law; in-house experience strongly preferred
• Prior experience as Legal Counsel or General Counsel
• Experience within the logistics, transportation, supply chain, or related industry strongly preferred
• Demonstrated knowledge of final mile delivery operations, carrier networks, and transportation regulations (DOT, FMCSA, etc.)
• Experience with international logistics, cross-border transactions, and export/import compliance (e.g., EAR, OFAC, customs regulations)
• Experience advising Boards and executive leadership teams
• Demonstrated experience managing litigation and outside counsel

EEO STATEMENT:

General Logistics Systems US is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. We welcome all qualified applicants to apply to GLS, and we strive to select the best qualified applicant for each position in our organization. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or other legally protected status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. GLS complies with all laws and regulations relating to employment discrimination and is always committed to doing what's right.