Brooks is seeking a well-rounded attorney with strong commercial and data privacy experience to be the regional lead within the global Legal organization for our expanding Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region. This person will be an integral part of the business, providing counsel and guidance on a variety of legal and business issues to protect the company’s interests and manage day-to-day legal functions. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of a leading global brand in a key strategic region.
Who We Are
Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation.
Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success:
Runner First
- We act in the best interest of the runner
Word is Bond
- We do what we say we’ll do
Champion Heart
- We give our all in everything we do
There is no “I” in Run
- We stay generous with our humanity
Keep Moving
- We find ways to move every day, because joy is kinetic!
Your Responsibilities
Legal Management
- Establish and implement legal processes and policies for the region.
- Maintain a client-centered legal function that prioritizes practical solutions, collaboration, and business outcomes.
- Understand Brooks’ European business model and objectives, including our Selective Distribution model, key retail accounts, and other distribution channels.
- Advise HR on employment matters for EMEA operations including terminations, leave management, and workplace investigations.
- Work collaboratively with the global legal team, including communicating closely with specialists in IP, Employment, Marketing, Contracts, and Compliance to align on overall company legal strategy and practices while adopting a regional approach.
- Oversee all disputes (litigated and pre-litigation) in the EMEA region.
- Collaborate with customer service leadership to develop and refine consumer-facing policies and ensure compliance with consumer protection and warranty obligations.
- Design and deliver role-specific legal trainings.
- Manage the legal budget for the region and oversee outside counsel relationships and related expenditures.
- Willingness to travel between EMEA and US offices as needed and for initial onboarding.
- Ability to work flexible hours to accommodate cross-time zone collaboration.
- Promote Brooks’ core cultural values; lead with empathy, caring and respect.
Regulatory and Privacy
- Provide practical privacy advice related to key business objectives and opportunities, such as loyalty programs.
- Advise on regulatory compliance and risk management for the EMEA region.
- Own legal operations related to data subject access requests, privacy audits and privacy assessments.
- Respond to regulatory inquiries in a timely and effective manner, engaging outside counsel as appropriate.
- Collaborate with ESG stakeholders to support sustainability reporting, monitor evolving disclosure requirements, and integrate environmental and social governance principles into business operations and legal strategy.
Commercial Contracts
- Draft, negotiate, and oversee commercial contracts for the region, including MSAs, DPAs, NDAs, as well as distribution, wholesale, sponsorship, and influencer agreements.
- Educate clients on the contract management processes and internal controls such as signing authority.
- Support internal clients by helping to structure deals, enable innovation, and drive commercial initiatives while identifying legal risks and providing practical solutions.
- Collaborate with logistics and trade compliance teams to address regulatory requirements, negotiate carrier and vendor agreements, and mitigate risk across distribution and fulfillment operations.
- Develop EMEA-specific templates and business playbooks where appropriate.
- Leverage the full functionality of the existing contract management system.
Your Qualifications
- European law degree (LLB/LLM or equivalent) qualified in an EU or UK jurisdiction (or equivalent).
- 10+ years of experience as a practicing business attorney (preference for in-house experience at a fast-growing international consumer goods company).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Proficiency in other European languages is an advantage.
- Detailed and practical knowledge of GDPR and its impact on business operations. Familiarity with other global privacy laws and US state laws is a plus.
- Ability to work independently while maintaining close coordination with the global legal team.
- Excellent active listening skills with the ability to communicate complex legal analysis and risk assessments with confidence to key stakeholders, including senior management.
- Excellent interpersonal skills that inspire and build trust.
- Ability to achieve optimum legal and business outcomes in a timely manner by focusing on key objectives, seeking efficient solutions, prioritizing multiple matters and issues, and avoiding unnecessary disputes.
- Ability to travel regionally and/or to US HQ 2-5 times per year.
- Embrace and live the Brooks values.