Legal Counsel, EU Employment Law (Platform Workers) at Delivery Hero SE

Delivery Hero SE, the world's pioneering local delivery platform and one of Europe's largest tech companies, has opened a high-impact legal role at its Berlin headquarters: Legal Counsel, EU Employment Law (Platform Workers). This position sits at the intersection of law, technology, and the future of work, offering a rare opportunity for an experienced employment lawyer to shape how gig economy platforms classify and treat millions of workers across the EU.

The Regulatory Earthquake Behind This Role

For years, platform work has existed in a legal grey zone. Companies labelled their couriers and riders as independent contractors, avoiding the costly obligations that come with employee status—minimum wage, paid leave, social security contributions, and collective bargaining rights. But regulators across Europe have been tightening the noose. The EU Platform Workers Directive, landmark legislation adopted in 2024, creates a presumption of employment for many platform workers, flipping the burden of proof onto companies to show that a genuine self-employment relationship exists. This directive has forced global platforms like Delivery Hero to overhaul their worker classification models overnight.

As the world's pioneering local delivery platform, our mission is to deliver an amazing experience, fast, easy, and to your door. We operate in around 65 countries worldwide powered by tech, designed by people.

This is precisely why Delivery Hero is now seeking a seasoned employment lawyer to lead the charge. The role is not merely a compliance function; it is a strategic, business-facing mandate that touches product design, tech development, public policy, and litigation strategy. If you have been waiting for a role where employment law meets the frontier of the digital economy, this is it.

What Delivery Hero Actually Needs

The job description leaves little room for ambiguity. Delivery Hero is not looking for a generalist HR lawyer. They want someone with a sharp litigation edge and a profound understanding of the gig economy. The key qualifications include:

• Full EU qualification as an employment lawyer, backed by at least three years in a law firm environment and a demonstrable litigation track record.
• Deep expertise in platform work and worker classification, including hands-on experience applying the EU Platform Workers Directive and related legislation.
• Proven ability to advise senior stakeholders across multi-jurisdictional and cross-functional teams, with strong legal judgment and influencing skills.
• Excellent drafting and communication, from legal documents to executive-level slide presentations.
• Full professional fluency in English plus at least one additional European language.

This is a role for a lawyer who thrives in the grey areas of law—where statutes are still evolving and every decision sets a precedent. If you have been advising platforms or gig economy businesses on classification challenges, your skill set is exactly what Delivery Hero is prioritising.

Day-to-Day: Managing Global Classification Risk

The responsibilities outlined in the posting read like a masterclass in modern employment law practice. The successful candidate will not be stuck in a back office reviewing contracts. Instead, you will:

• Lead the management of platform worker and rider classification risks globally, working alongside international employment lawyers across the Delivery Hero Group.
• Monitor and manage high-profile litigation and regulatory investigations, developing defence strategies with local counsel.
• Partner with Product, Tech, and Operations teams to understand delivery operations and the tech stack, and support next-generation delivery solutions.
• Advise on new business models and strategic opportunities tied to platform work.
• Track and analyse legislative and regulatory developments impacting platform work, and advise Public Policy teams at HQ and market level.
• Act as a subject-matter expert for senior management across the Group, with up to 10% international travel.

This is a role that puts you at the centre of a global company's most pressing legal challenges. It is a position where legal acumen directly influences business strategy, making it an ideal launchpad for a future general counsel or legal director career path.

Why This Role is a Career Catalyst for Employment Lawyers

Employment law is often seen as a stable but unglamorous practice area. This role flips that narrative. The platform economy is the most dynamic regulatory battlefield in Europe today. By joining Delivery Hero, you gain exposure to legal issues spanning dozens of jurisdictions, from Spain's rider law to Germany's social security debates to upcoming EU-level enforcement. You will not only interpret the law—you will help shape how it is applied to millions of workers.

Moreover, the role offers an unusual degree of influence. You will be advising senior management, contributing to public policy positions, and working directly with tech and product teams. This kind of cross-functional exposure is invaluable for lawyers who aspire to move into broader strategic leadership roles. As employment law becomes increasingly intertwined with data privacy, AI, and labour platform innovation, expertise in this niche positions you as a future thought leader.

Berlin Calling: The Perks of a Legal Role at a Tech Unicorn

Delivery Hero is not just another company—it is an MDAX-listed tech giant headquartered in Berlin, one of Europe's most vibrant startup capitals. The role comes with a benefits package designed to support both professional growth and personal well-being:

• Hybrid work model with just two days per week in the beautiful Berlin campus.
• 27 days of holiday, increasing with tenure, plus a sabbatical bank.
• €1,000 annual educational budget, language courses, and access to Udemy Business.
• Health and wellness: health checkups, meditation, gym membership.
• Financial perks: employee share purchase plan, corporate pension, life & accident insurance, and public transport discounts.
• Food and community: digital meal vouchers, food vouchers, and corporate discounts.

For international candidates, Delivery Hero clearly supports relocation—the posting even links to resources about moving to Berlin. This makes the role accessible to qualified lawyers across Europe who are open to new adventures.

How to Position Yourself as the Ideal Candidate

If this role has caught your attention, you need to prepare a thoughtful application. Given the specialised nature of the position, a generic CV will not succeed. Here are some strategies to stand out:

• Highlight any platform work experience prominently. If you have advised clients on worker classification, EU directives, or gig economy litigation, put that front and centre.
• Showcase your litigation war stories—especially any matter involving independent contractor versus employee status. Quantify outcomes where possible.
• Demonstrate cross-border fluency with specific examples of working with multi-jurisdictional teams.
• Tailor your application to the EU Platform Workers Directive. Show that you can interpret its provisions and anticipate enforcement trends.
• Emphasise your ability to influence non-lawyers. Share examples where you advised product or business teams on legal risk.

Remember, the application deadline is not specified in the posting, which means Delivery Hero is likely reviewing candidates on a rolling basis. Do not delay. Applications are processed through LinkedIn, and you can also reach out to the inclusion team for accommodations if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the EU Platform Workers Directive? The EU Platform Workers Directive is a landmark law that creates a legal presumption of employment for platform workers such as ride-hailing drivers and food delivery couriers. It also introduces transparency requirements for algorithmic management. The directive is currently being transposed into national law across EU member states, which is driving significant legal work for platform companies like Delivery Hero.

2. Is this role suitable for newly qualified lawyers? No. The posting explicitly requires at least three years of law firm experience and a strong litigation background. This is a mid-to-senior legal counsel role, not a graduate position. Candidates need deep expertise in employment law and a proven track record in platform worker classification.

3. What languages are required for this job? Full professional proficiency in English is mandatory as it is the working language. You also need fluency in at least one additional European language. German is a plus but not explicitly required, given the international nature of the role.

4. How can I apply and what is the deadline? The application is through the LinkedIn job posting linked from this page. No formal deadline is listed, so it is best to apply as soon as possible. If you require accessibility support during the interview process, you can email the Inclusion Officer at inclusion@deliveryhero.com.