Legal Counsel

The Mission

Fonden Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping is a global leader in the transition towards sustainable and environmentally responsible shipping practices. Decarbonizing the maritime industry is more than a job to us - it’s our mission. As a self-owned, independent commercial foundation with a charitable purpose we have proven to be perfectly positioned as a visible and significant driving force in the global maritime decarbonization journey. Our team consists of highly passionate, dedicated colleagues committed to ensuring safe and sustainable zero-carbon solutions protecting our planet's future while advancing the maritime industry.

The unique collaboration model at the Center combining experts from global partner organizations with the permanent staff of the Center creates a diverse global organization with fantastic colleagues who develop amazing content, exciting new data, new technical solutions, business frameworks, and personal growth opportunities in a green global setting driving thought leadership.

The Opportunity

This role is a rare opportunity for a legal professional passionate about the sustainable green transition. You will engage with a broad range of legal disciplines, gaining experience in pioneering projects that are shaping the future of shipping and decarbonization. In just under four years, we have scaled up to a team of 70 full-time employees, 14 student assistants and 63 secondees from our valued partner organizations. As we continue our journey, the legal team will be essential in keeping the organization in top shape.

As part of the Center, you will get the privilege to work together with, amongst others, our 44 partner and 58 mission ambassador organizations covering the entire value chain.

The position involves working on a variety of tasks, including:

• Enabling projects (R&D, charitable and commercial) initiated by and/or involving the Center
• Structuring business frameworks and spin-outs
• Supporting high-profile and pioneering initiatives such as green shipping corridors around the world  
• Navigating regulatory frameworks within the EU and IMO
• Providing support on internal compliance matters, including competition law, employment law, foundation governance etc.

 In addition to hands-on legal work, you’ll have the chance to be part of building and shaping our legal department working closely with our existing team to create a flexible, efficient, and proactive legal function.

 Our new Legal Counsel will be reporting to Head of Legal, who reports directly to the Leadership Team.

Who are we looking for?

We are seeking an individual who is not just interested in legal work, but also passionate about contributing to the global green transition. You should thrive in a collaborative, mission-driven environment and be eager to engage with a broad spectrum of legal disciplines.

To be successful in this role, you recognize yourself in the following description:

• Hold a law degree with at least 3 years of experience in a role as attorney-at-law, in-house counsel, assistant attorney, or other relevant employment.
• Have experience handling complex legal matters, preferably within the areas of shipping, competition law, energy & infrastructure and/or corporate.
• Have a genuine interest and curiosity towards understanding our mission and ways of working.
• Be solutions oriented and able to work closely with the organization providing clear recommendations.
• Be analytical and thorough, keeping a clear mind in a busy environment where you can manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Have an excellent command of written and spoken English, with strong communication skills to explain complex legal matters. 

Your key responsibilities will include: 

• Drafting, negotiating, and managing a variety of project agreements covering the entire value chain from energy and fuels, onboard vessel solutions to adoption of new methodologies and standards.
• Advising on Center driven business frameworks, such as fuel demand aggregation, book & claim and cost sharing benefits.
• Assisting with commercialization projects for spin-outs advising on legal structures, contracts, and stakeholder management.
• Supporting roll out of Center methodologies on e.g. green shipping corridor studies
• Working alongside project teams to provide timely legal insights, mitigate risks, and ensure successful outcomes.
• Providing strategic and day-to-day legal advice to ensure that any legal implications are considered and accounted for.
• Offering counsel on internal matters such as competition law, employment law, foundation governance, and broader corporate compliance.
• Sparring on regulatory requirements, e.g. FuelEU Maritime, IMO mid-term GHG reduction measures, ESG and CSRD
• Helping to shape, build and strengthen our legal department, ensuring the right processes, procedures and programs.
• Developing and providing legal training to employees at all levels in the organization.

What’s in it for you?

Additionally, you will be part of a multicultural and mission-driven workplace with great learning opportunities. You will work at the very front of the green transition adding meaningful contributions to a safer and more sustainable future not only for shipping, but for the planet.

We are deeply motivated by the opportunity to drive a sustainable transition towards a greener future for shipping and combine our deep specialist competencies to create industry-wide impact. A journey you can join.

In this role you can expect:

• The chance to strengthen and broaden your legal expertise across multiple disciplines
• An international, talented team of colleagues
• An innovative and collaborative workplace with room for growth and development
• A caring, social and fun work environment with a team of people united by a shared mission
• Flexible working hours that allow for a balanced lifestyle
• A flat organizational structure with room to influence decisions and make a tangible impact on our mission

 The position is full-time and based in our office in Nordhavn, Copenhagen.

The recruitment process

If you are passionate about leveraging your legal expertise to support the decarbonization of the maritime industry and contribute to a more sustainable future, we would love to hear from you.

Please submit your CV and motivational letter soonest possible. Interviews with relevant candidates will be conducted on an ongoing basis and we will close the position when the right candidate has been found.

At Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, we value the diversity of our talent in all its forms, and we see diversity as a genuine source of strength for building high-performing teams. Any information sent to us will be treated with full confidentiality and in accordance with applicable data protection legislation.