General Counsel (m/w/d)

Permanent employee, Full-time · Munich, Berlin, Hamburg

Our Mission

At Circus (Xetra: CA1), headquartered in Hamburg with offices in Berlin and Munich, we are pioneering global developments in on-demand autonomous food production. From culinary creation to production and operations, everything is powered by seamlessly integrated robotics and transformative AI.

Our foundation lies in groundbreaking advancements in robotics, driven by artificial intelligence — the long-missing link in realizing fully autonomous food automation. The time has come for a new status quo: just as autonomous vehicles are reshaping our cities and daily lives, we are redefining the entire experience of food.

Our team brings together leading minds in Robotics, AI, Engineering, and Culinary, working closely with industry-leading partners to revolutionize how food is prepared, accessed, and experienced.

Join us as we shape a future where the art of cooking meets the science of technology — and where food becomes something fundamentally new.

About the Role

As our General Counsel, you will serve as Circus’s top legal authority and strategic advisor, guiding our executive team and board through the opportunities and complexities of a public, fast-scaling, and technology-driven environment. You will lead all legal, compliance, and governance matters across the group — with a particular focus on commercial contracts, intellectual property, and regulatory issues in AI, robotics, and automation.

We’re looking for a pragmatic legal leader who’s not afraid to dive deep into the business. Someone who can operate confidently at board level while still reviewing the fine print of a complex SaaS deal or technology partnership. This role is key to enabling our growth, protecting our innovation, and ensuring we operate with clarity and integrity — across jurisdictions, business models, and stakeholders.

Your Daily Business

Legal Strategy & Corporate Governance

Lead all legal matters across Circus Group, including corporate governance, commercial law, securities law, IP, and regulatory compliance
Build and implement a scalable legal framework fit for a high-growth, listed technology company
Serve as trusted legal advisor to the executive team and board of directors

Commercial Contracts & Technology Transactions

Draft, review, and negotiate complex contracts — particularly in SaaS, cloud services, automation, supply chain, and global partnerships
Support commercial teams with deal structuring and risk assessment in B2B enterprise sales and strategic alliances
Align legal terms with business objectives, product strategy, and customer needs

Intellectual Property & Technology Law

Own and protect our global IP portfolio — including patents, trademarks, and copyrights related to robotics, software, and AI
Work closely with engineering and product teams to align legal protection with innovation cycles
Monitor relevant tech-related legal developments, including AI regulation and product liability

Compliance & Risk Management

Ensure compliance with applicable national and international regulations — especially in data protection (GDPR), product safety, and securities law
Design and manage internal compliance programs and training initiatives
Identify legal risks early and develop clear, actionable mitigation strategies

Capital Markets & International Expansion

Advise on legal aspects of public company reporting, disclosure obligations, and investor communications
Support cross-border activities including market entry, international structuring, and regulatory filings
Collaborate with Investor Relations and Finance teams to ensure accurate and timely disclosures

Executive & Board Engagement

Provide strategic legal counsel to the CEO, CFO, and other senior executives
Support the board and its committees with documentation, governance, and legal oversight
Advise on M&A transactions, fundraising activities, and due diligence processes

Base Qualifications

Law degree and admission to practice law in a relevant jurisdiction
10+ years of legal experience, ideally including in-house leadership in a tech-centric, international business
Deep expertise in commercial contracts, IP, and regulatory topics related to SaaS, robotics, or automation technologies
Proven experience working in or advising a publicly listed company, including knowledge of securities regulation and capital market compliance
Strategic mindset with strong operational execution — comfortable shifting between board-level conversations and contract details
Experience building or scaling legal teams and cross-functional collaboration across borders
Excellent communication skills and a pragmatic, business-focused approach to problem-solving
Fluent in English and German

Our Offer

Competitive Compensation: Receive a competitive compensation package with offered stock options for full-time employees.
Work-Life Balance: Enjoy regular team events, a hybrid work setup, 2 months/year remote work (Workation), and unlimited vacation days, along with a corporate pension plan.
Personal Development: €500 personal annual training budget, access to internal trainings, and strong growth opportunities in a fast-paced environment.
Mobility: Benefit from a €50 monthly mobility or expense budget and a subsidized Dance Mobility Subscription for E-Bike/E-Moped.
Well-Being: Access discounted Urban Sports Club membership and Wellhub for a wide variety of health and well-being offerings

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Disclaimer

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive and equal opportunities employer with a diverse and multicultural team. We are proud to have an inclusive workplace environment that will foster your development no matter your gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, education level, or race. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.