Legal Counsel (EMEA)

The Compliance & Ethics (C&E) department at Microsoft Corporation is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as Senior Principal Corporate Counsel within the Proactive Risk Management (PRM) team based in London, United Kingdom or Amsterdam, the Netherlands.  The role will report to the head of Field Proactive Risk Mitigation, and will lead critical third-party risk and compliance maturity programs throughout Microsoft’s field operations in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).  This role will be responsible for ensuring Microsoft representatives comply with the Company’s integrity standards and policies and adopt Microsoft’s dedication to building trust and maintaining compliance across our global operations.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Third-Party Compliance practice across the EMEA region; ensure compliance with Microsoft’s Trustworthy Representatives Policy.
• Develop and execute legal strategies to proactively identify and address third-party risks within Microsoft’s commercial framework.
• Collaborate with stakeholders in Sales, Finance, Procurement, and Legal to champion third-party compliance programs, ensuring they align with Microsoft’s integrity standards.
• Organize and lead subsidiary field visits to engage with leadership teams on compliance matters.
• Offer legal advice regarding due diligence, vetting, and remediation processes for third-party relationships.
• Work alongside internal audit, investigations, and policy teams to identify and mitigate potential compliance risks.
• Represent the PRM team in cross-functional working groups and leadership forums.
• Engage with executives from Microsoft’s strategic partners to discuss compliance topics and advance improvements and compliance program maturity across the third-party ecosystem.
• Support the creation and implementation of training, AI-based tools, and resources that help field teams effectively and efficiently identify and manage compliance risks.

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) or an equivalent legal degree with relevant academic background as well as active license to practice law in US or any EMEA jurisdiction. 
• Demonstrable legal experience, with emphasis on compliance, risk management, or corporate governance in in-house or law firm settings.
• Demonstrable expertise in third-party risk, anti-corruption, and global compliance standard
• This role requires proficiency in written, reading, and conversational English.

Preferred Attributes

• Strategic thinker with a proactive approach and relevant business orientation.
• Ability to navigate uncertainty and drive clarity in dynamic, fast-paced contexts.
• Dedication to Microsoft’s mission and values, emphasizing ethical leadership.

Location & Travel

This position is based in London, United Kingdom or Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and will require occasional international travel.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.

#Cela