Senior Legal Counsel

The Senior Legal Counsel role will support all Chart business units globally by providing legal guidance, managing compliance programs, and reviewing commercial contracts to mitigate risks. Responsibilities include overseeing governance, ESG objectives, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, and data privacy compliance.

The role involves collaborating with business units, parent company departments, and external counsel to strategic projects, ensure corporate adherence to internal policies, and deliver training. This position requires strong legal expertise, commercial awareness, and the ability to prioritise in a dynamic, high-pressure environment. 

Chart Industries is a leading global manufacturer of highly engineered equipment servicing multiple applications in the clean energy and industrial gas markets. Chart employees over 11,700 people based across 64 global manufacturing locations and 50+ service centres. Recognised for an innovative edge and expansive portfolio, Chart has a global leadership position in process technologies with products and services in applications such as hydrogen, carbon capture, energy recovery, nuclear, water treatment, mining, and LNG to name a few. 

In 2023, Chart acquired Howden, a leading global engineering business. Since 1854, Howden has been at the forefront of developing engineering solutions for the needs of industrial processes. Today, Howden provide mission critical air and gas handling products to clients with our range of highly engineered compressors, blowers, fans, steam turbines and rotary heat exchangers. 

The strategic combination of Howden and Chart expands our offering of products and solutions across the Nexus of Clean™ -- clean power, clean water, clean food and clean industrials. Together we are advancing a more sustainable future, by helping our customers to increase their environmental & functional efficiencies and decarbonise their operations. We have a strong corporate identity and a clear purpose - you will be a member of our team shaping the future of the company and participating in helping our customers tackle some of the planet's most pressing issues.

• Provide general legal advice to all Chart business units worldwide to ensure compliance with Group policies.
• Lead the development and administration of the Group’s internal compliance program including overseeing investigations of reported violations of the program, preparing and delivering reports on the program and communicating clearly and regularly to senior stakeholders, record keeping and maintenance of all documentation regarding the program and implementing training requirements of the program. 
• Oversee the management and adherence to the Group’s internal corporate approval process to ensure that there are no unintended consequences are likely to arise as a result of a proposed change to or transaction involving a Group business units.
• Oversee the management of (i) company secretarial compliance globally including liaising with and directing external specialists in multiple jurisdictions with respect to the preparation of board minutes and shareholder resolutions to approve annual financial statements, together with routine approvals, including the re-election of auditors, directors and officers, which form part of the annual meeting cycle, and (ii) the administration of the internal corporate management system. 
• Provide guidance and support in relation to the Group’s general governance and ESG goals and objectives. 
• Review customer, supplier or other business partner terms and conditions of contract and render advice to business units consistent with Group policy, relevant law and good commercial practice.
• Negotiate and liaise with customers, suppliers or other potential or actual business partners on behalf of business units as required.
• Provide guidance and conduct training courses on internal legal policies including with respect to data privacy, terms and conditions and contract risk management for Howden business units. 
• Provide assistance in relation to global litigation, disputes and warranty claims.
• Provide assistance and support as internal legal lead on real estate transactions.
• Assist in acquisitions, including documentation, due diligence and integration in accordance with project schedule. 
• Assist with day-to-day compliance matters including but not limited to (a) conducting and reviewing due diligence on agents; (b) advising on data privacy and protection (including the Data Protection Act 2018 and the GDPR); (c) advising on anti-bribery and corruption; and (d) advising on competition law.
• Guide and monitor outside legal counsel on legal matters for the Company Business Units, including IP. 
• Liaise and interact with Parent company corporate management and specialist departments (trade compliance, tax, insurance, EHS, IP, etc.) on relevant matters and provide legal support on global strategic projects such as restructuring. 

An ideal candidate would likely have the following profile;

• Qualified lawyer (6 year PQE+) in any UK jurisdiction.
• Experience in compliance issues e.g. anti-bribery and compliance and as a legal and risk representative. 
• Experience of general corporate work. 
• Experience in dealing with commercial contracts and reviewing terms and conditions.
• Experience in negotiating with a variety of clients/companies.
• Relevant experience from a top UK law firm or international equivalent or multinational company, including transferrable skills to work in an in-house environment if not already done so.
• Had involvement/played a support role in large complex contracts.
• Global data privacy knowledge and awareness.
• Robust analytical ability combined with commercial fluency and attention to detail.  
• Articulate and a team player.

It would also be beneficial to have the following;

• Relevant experience in dealing with international commercial contracts.
• Experience in negotiating with both UK based and international companies.
• Legal experience particularly in-house as opposed to private practice would be an advantage
• Experience in day-to-day compliance issues e.g. trade compliance, competition law

We’ve put together some criteria that we think is important for this role, but don’t worry if your experience and expertise isn’t an exact match. If you feel that you can add value to our role and to Howden more broadly, we would welcome your application and be eager to learn more about you. 

• A flexible, hybrid working environment
• Bonus @ 12.5% 
• £4,500 car allowance 
• Generous holiday entitlement package totalling 33 days annual leave 
• Howden Pension Plan with a maximum employer contribution of 7% with Scottish Widows
• Single cover BUPA
• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, shared parental and adoption leave pay
• Free onsite parking 
• Healthcare cash plan with Healthshield
• Group Life Assurance plan at 3x salary
• Group Income Protection plan
• Access to My Howden Benefits & Wellbeing Portal – Cycle2Work programme, range of discounts across various retailers, wealth of information to support health & wellbeing 
• Dedicated Help@Hand Service – free counselling, physiotherapy, financial support, medical second opinion, remote GP, personal training, nutrition consultations etc  
• Opportunity to be involved in our ESG ‘Bright Future’ initiatives – STEM ambassador & volunteering

The Company intention in respect of recruitment, selection and promotion is to appoint the most suitable candidate for each job regardless of that person’s race, religious beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age or disability.