Head of Legal France H/F

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Ocean Winds is looking for a Head of Legal & Compliance Partner – France to lead and coordinate the legal support for OW’s French business and projects, while also acting as the local Compliance Partner for France. The role covers existing offshore wind projects, development opportunities, construction and operation-related matters, partnerships, tenders, claims, regulatory matters, corporate/project governance, ethics and compliance matters. The role requires a senior legal profile with strong experience in complex infrastructure, energy or offshore wind projects, capable of combining hands-on legal advice with team leadership, strategic risk management, compliance oversight and close coordination with OW Legal HQ, Compliance, the France business team, sponsors, external counsel and other internal stakeholders. The successful candidate will act as a trusted legal and compliance business partner for the French business, ensuring that legal, ethical and compliance risks are identified early, properly escalated where needed, and managed in a pragmatic, business-oriented and compliant manner.

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Lead and coordinate the legal support for OW France and French projects across development, tendering, construction, operation, governance, regulatory, contractual, claims and corporate matters.
• Manage and develop the France Legal team, ensuring appropriate prioritisation, allocation of work, quality of advice, team collaboration and professional growth.
• Draft, review, negotiate and manage a wide range of legal documentation, including project contracts, corporate governance documents, partnership arrangements, procurement and construction-related documentation, claims correspondence and other material legal instruments.
• Analyse and manage complex legal and commercial issues arising from contract negotiations, project implementation, partnerships and stakeholder interfaces.
• Lead the management of claims, disputes and contentious matters connected with French projects, including litigation/arbitration strategy, settlement options, preservation of evidence and coordination with external counsel.
• Advise on French regulatory matters affecting OW’s activities in France, including construction, operation, tenders, development opportunities and interaction with French public authorities.
• Identify, assess and proactively manage legal, contractual, regulatory and reputational risks, proposing practical mitigation strategies and ensuring timely escalation of material issues.
• Monitor relevant legal, regulatory and market developments in France and proactively share knowledge, lessons learned and best practices across the OW Legal Family.
• Efficiently manage external counsel with a strong focus on quality, responsiveness, strategic value and cost control.
• Ensure strict compliance with OW policies, procedures, governance rules and applicable laws, fostering a strong culture of ethics, compliance and accountability.
• Act as Compliance Partner for France, supporting the implementation and monitoring of OW’s ethics and compliance framework, including anti-bribery and corruption, conflicts of interest, gifts and hospitality, sanctions, competition law awareness, whistleblowing and other relevant compliance matters, in close coordination with OW Compliance.
• Contribute to the implementation of legal best practices in France and support alignment with OW Legal HQ standards, processes, reporting and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
• Cooperate closely with other members of OW Legal, including HQ Legal, EPCI Legal, M&A/Corporate Legal, and other country legal teams as well as with Compliance, to ensure a coordinated and consistent legal approach.

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND AND QUALIFICATION

French Law degree from a reputable university. Qualification to practise law in France and/or another relevant jurisdiction would be highly valued. Additional postgraduate studies in energy, infrastructure, construction, public law, project finance, international business law or dispute resolution would be a plus.

LANGUAGES

• Ability to read, write and speak professional French and English fluently
• Any other language is a plus.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• 10+ years of cumulative experience in a top-tier international law firm, in-house legal department of an international group and/or major infrastructure, energy or construction business.
• Significant experience in complex energy, infrastructure, construction or offshore wind projects, including drafting, negotiating and managing project contracts, construction-related documentation, corporate/project governance documents and claims-related matters.
• Practical understanding of the offshore wind market, project lifecycle and key interfaces between legal, technical, commerc