ESG Legal Counsel

Join us and play a key role in shaping MAN’s sustainability journey by embedding ESG legal requirements across the global automotive value chain.

About Us

MAN Truck & Bus, a leading European commercial vehicle manufacturer and part of the TRATON Group, is launching a new Global Business Services (GBS) organization structured around three core pillars: Operations, Global Process Ownership, and Strategy & Performance Management.

Your role

We are looking for an ESG Legal Counsel to support and further develop our ESG and sustainability agenda across the value chain. As part of the MAN Legal team, you will advise the business on ESG‑related legal requirements with a strong focus on the automotive value chain. The role combines regulatory work, operational support and close cooperation with internal functions such as Procurement, Sustainability, Compliance and Operations with mid-term potentially responsibility for the whole TRATON Group.

Your responsibilities

ESG Legal Advisory & Strategy:

• Advise the business and management on ESG‑related legal and regulatory matters relevant to the automotive sector, supporting sustainability and governance‑related decision‑making.
• Act as a trusted legal advisor on ESG risks and implications across the value chain, including suppliers, production, logistics and mobility products.

Regulatory Compliance & Monitoring:

• Ensure compliance with EU and international sustainability regulations, including CSRD, EU Taxonomy, CSDDD, LkSG, product compliance and supply‑chain due diligence requirements.
• Monitor regulatory developments in ESG, climate, human rights and environmental law, assessing their impact on the business across relevant jurisdictions, with a strong focus on Germany.

Implementation & Cross‑Functional Alignment:

• Translate ESG legal and regulatory requirements into Group‑wide processes, policies and procedures, ensuring effective implementation across Legal and key business functions.
• Work closely with Procurement, Sustainability, Compliance, Operations, Sales, Production and Engineering to ensure alignment and operational readiness.

Contracts, Reporting & Governance

• Draft, review and negotiate ESG‑related contractual clauses, including supplier codes of conduct, sustainability provisions and audit rights.
• Support sustainability reporting, disclosures and ESG governance frameworks to ensure readiness for evolving regulatory expectations.

Risk Management, Investigations & Awareness:

• Support investigations into potential ESG breaches or incidents and advise on appropriate responses and remediation measures.
• Contribute to internal trainings and awareness initiatives, supporting teams in understanding and implementing ESG obligations.

Autonomy & Stakeholder Influence:

• Operate autonomously from Lisbon, demonstrating structured thinking, sound judgment and the ability to influence internal stakeholders when legal change is required.

Your profile

Education & Experience:

• Fully qualified lawyer (e.g. German Volljurist, Attorney-at-Law, Solicitor or equivalent).
• 3-5 years of professional experience as an in-house counsel or in a law firm, ideally with exposure to the automotive or industrial sector.
• Solid background in compliance, regulatory, corporate or sustainability law, with hands‑on experience advising on regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to deep dive into new legal and regulatory frameworks, analyze their implications and translate them into practical business measures.
• Good understanding of supply chains, manufacturing processes and international business environments.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong analytical skills and business-oriented mindset, being pragmatic and structured in analyzing legal requirements and balancing them with operational and strategic realities.
• Proven ability to work cross‑functionally with stakeholders from different business areas and backgrounds.
• Autonomy and self‑confidence in day‑to‑day work, including the ability to operate effectively under uncertainty and in a fast‑evolving regulatory environment.
• Influence internal stakeholders regarding the need for change.
• Fluent in English; German is required or highly preferred; additional languages are an asset.

Why join us?

• Be part of a new GBS organization, with real opportunity to shape processes from the ground up
• Work at the intersection of sustainability, digitalization, and process excellence
• Mobile work model (2–3 days home office per week)
• Health insurance for you and your family (no extra cost) and Life insurance
• Additional days off on your birthday, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve

Ready to make a difference?

Apply now and help translate ESG regulation into real, sustainable impact at MAN.