Senior Legal Counsel Carbon Markets

Carbonfuture is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to lead the development of governance frameworks and standardized contracts for carbon credits, aiming to establish them as a new financial asset class. This senior, hands-on role reports directly to the COO and involves leading the in-house legal function, including managing a part-time legal counsel and overseeing the legal budget. The position is remote within Europe, with a preference for Germany, and requires occasional travel to offices in Freiburg, Frankfurt, Berlin, and Zürich.

Key responsibilities include managing the full contract lifecycle—from drafting and negotiation to signing—across customer, supplier, offtake, and vendor agreements. The role also involves negotiating key deals with leadership, developing standardized contract structures to replace bespoke bilateral terms, and driving the legal workstream to establish carbon credits as an institutional asset class. Additional duties encompass advising on capital markets and regulatory questions, representing Carbonfuture in selected associations, leading legal work in fundraising rounds, managing shareholder matters and corporate governance, and overseeing internal compliance across data protection, employment law, and corporate governance.

Candidates should have over eight years of legal experience, either in-house, at a law firm, or both, with deep expertise in German contract and commercial law, including hands-on experience in B2B transactions and negotiation. A strong background in German corporate law (Gesellschaftsrecht) is essential, and knowledge of capital markets law (Kapitalmarktrecht) is considered a plus. Experience with financing rounds, M&A transactions, and familiarity with European financial regulators such as BaFin, the ECB, or FINMA are advantageous. Fluency in both German and English, with the ability to negotiate and draft in both languages, is required.

While specific compensation details are not disclosed, the role offers flexible working hours and location, with 30 days of paid leave plus bank holidays. Additional benefits include sports and health perks, a competitive salary, and the opportunity to work with a purpose-driven, ambitious, and inclusive team.

Joining Carbonfuture provides the chance to shape the legal foundations of a new asset class at a market-leading company. The rapidly growing international team shares a mission to address climate change, offering a friendly, open, and inclusive environment. Candidates from underrepresented cultures and backgrounds in VC-backed startups and the climate space are strongly encouraged to apply.