MSC Cruises
Head of Contracts and Legal Affairs
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Where passion meets opportunity
The best of your adventures is the one you have yet to sail!
Your Purpose
The Head of Contracts and Legal Affairs will lead the contracts function within the Legal Department and provide practical, commercially focused legal support to the business on matters arising across its operations. The role combines functional leadership, line management, and direct responsibility for complex legal and contractual matters.
Your Impact
- Leads the contracts’ function, manage the team’s workload, and maintain consistent contracting standards
- Drafts, reviews, and negotiates commercial agreements relating to procurement, services, maintenance, dry-docking, licensing, and newbuilding
- Advises all business departments on contractual, operational, and regulatory legal matters, including matters arising from vessel operations and guarantees
- Develops and maintains contract templates, standard clauses, playbooks, and approval processes
- Identifies and escalates material legal and contractual risks
- Delivers training and guidance on contracts, legal risk, and negotiation
- Manages the contracts team while maintaining a substantial personal caseload
- Handles pre-litigation and litigation matters, advises the business on strategy, and manages external counsel
- Supports with company secretarial duties as needed
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Your Journey so far
- Qualified lawyer in England and Wales or an EU jurisdiction, with at least 8+ years of post-qualification experience
- Substantial experience in the maritime sector, preferably within the cruise industry
- Experience advising on procurement, dry-docking, shipbuilding, and other major technical projects
- Proven line-management experience
- Experience advising senior stakeholders in an international business
- Excellent written and spoken English
Your Essentials
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- Strong analytical skills and commercial judgement
- A practical approach and confidence in providing clear advice
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, and prioritization skills
- High standards of integrity and discretion
- Eligible to work in the United Kingdom
Our commitment
We are committed to building a future that values diverse perspectives, embraces the world beyond borders, and fosters an inclusive environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to be their authentic selves. Our commitment extends to taking meaningful, measurable actions that have a long-term positive impact on our guests, our employees, and our planet.
Ready to turn your passion into something extraordinary? Join us at MSC Cruises, where new opportunities await. Apply today to be part of a global team that is pushing boundaries and achieving something remarkable. Your journey starts here!
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