Senior Legal Counsel, Governance & Finance at Huhtamaki

Unlocking a Senior Legal Counsel Role in Corporate Governance and Finance

For legal professionals who view corporate law not just as a compliance function but as a strategic lever for business growth, the Senior Legal Counsel, Governance & Finance position at Huhtamaki represents an exceptional opportunity. Based at the global headquarters in Espoo, Finland, this high-impact role places you at the intersection of legal expertise, corporate governance, and financial strategy. Huhtamaki, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions, is known for its commitment to innovation, responsibility, and protecting food, people, and the planet. This role is not just another in-house counsel job—it is a chance to shape governance frameworks, support financing transactions, and influence decision-making at the highest levels of a multinational corporation.

The job posting has been live for less than a day, already attracting 27 applicants, which signals both the desirability of the role and the competitive nature of the market. If you are a seasoned legal professional with a background in securities law, corporate governance, and finance-related legal work, this could be your next career-defining move.

The Strategic Importance of Governance & Finance Legal Roles

In today's volatile business environment, the role of a governance and finance lawyer has never been more critical. Companies face escalating regulatory scrutiny, shareholder activism, and complex cross-border financing arrangements. A senior legal counsel focusing on governance and finance acts as both a guardian and an enabler—ensuring that the company complies with legal obligations while also facilitating capital flows, M&A activities, and corporate restructuring. At Huhtamaki, this role is embedded within the Global Legal team, working closely with senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders. This is not a behind-the-scenes document review position; it is a role where your advice directly impacts the company's strategic direction.

“We are looking for a Senior Legal Counsel, Governance & Finance to join our Global Legal team in a high-impact role at the heart of Huhtamaki. Working closely with senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders, you will help shape our corporate governance framework, support financing and treasury activities, and provide pragmatic legal advice on a wide range of matters critical to the company's success.”

This description from the job posting underscores the dual nature of the role: technical legal mastery combined with commercial pragmatism. You are expected to translate complex legal requirements into practical advice that business leaders can act upon. That is the hallmark of a truly senior legal professional.

What You'll Actually Do: Breaking Down the Responsibilities

The responsibilities listed in the job posting offer a glimpse into the day-to-day realities of this role. Let's break them down:

Advising on Securities and Company Law

Huhtamaki is a listed company, which means you will be advising on company law, securities law, disclosure obligations, and other applicable regulations relevant to a publicly traded entity. This includes everything from insider management processes to General Meeting procedures. If you have experience with stock exchange regulations and investor communications, this part of the role will feel familiar yet challenging due to the global scale of operations.

Subsidiary Management and Governance Reporting

You will be responsible for the subsidiary management framework, which includes overseeing multiple legal entities across various jurisdictions. This involves maintaining statutory compliance, managing board governance, and ensuring that governance reporting is accurate and timely. For a company with operations in over 40 countries, this is a complex matrix that requires meticulous attention to detail and an ability to coordinate with local counsel.

Supporting Financing Transactions and Treasury Activities

Finance is the lifeblood of any global corporation, and you will be at the center of it. You will draft, review, and negotiate financing agreements, support treasury activities, and provide legal support on M&A, restructuring, and corporate reorganization projects. This is where your commercial acumen will really shine, as you balance legal rigor with the company's financial goals.

Developing Governance Policies and Procedures

Beyond day-to-day advice, you will also be tasked with maintaining, developing, and advising on governance policies and internal procedures. This is a proactive role where you are expected to identify gaps and implement best practices. It is not enough to react to regulatory changes; you must anticipate them.

The Ideal Candidate: More Than Just a Legal Expert

The job posting is clear that the ideal candidate must have a Master of Laws (LL.M. or equivalent) and at least 7 years of relevant legal experience from a law firm or listed company in an international context. But the requirements go beyond these basic qualifications. The role demands a professional with:

• Deep legal knowledge in company law, securities regulation, corporate governance, and treasury-related matters.
• Strong business acumen to turn legal concepts into practical, value-adding advice.
• Independence and collaboration—the ability to work autonomously while also engaging with senior management, auditors, and external advisors.
• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills, which are essential when dealing with complex financing agreements.
• A structured, solution-oriented mindset with strong attention to detail.
• Fluency in Finnish and English—a critical requirement given the company's Finnish headquarters and global reach.
• Digital fluency, including experience leveraging AI-based tools to enhance legal work and improve efficiency. This is a forward-thinking signal from Huhtamaki that they value innovation within their legal function.

Notably, the posting emphasizes commercial pragmatism. You are not being hired to say “no” to transactions; you are being hired to find legally sound ways to say “yes.” This mindset is what differentiates a senior counsel from a junior lawyer.

Why Huhtamaki? Sustainability Meets Global Legal Practice

Huhtamaki is not just any multinational—it is a company with a clear mission: to make all packaging recyclable, reusable, or compostable. The company's focus on sustainability is not a marketing slogan; it is embedded in every aspect of the business. As a legal counsel, you will be part of a team that supports innovative, sustainable solutions while also navigating the regulatory complexities of the packaging industry. This adds a meaningful dimension to your work. You are not just protecting the company from legal risk; you are also contributing to a global mission of environmental sustainability.

“Enjoy a career, packaged with care, whilst helping protect food, people and the planet. We are a key global provider of sustainable packaging solutions. We’re on a mission to make all packaging recyclable, reusable, or compostable.”

The company offers a supportive environment focused on development, responsible employment, and inclusion. For legal professionals, this means opportunities to grow, to take on challenging projects, and to work with diverse teams across the globe. The role is based in Espoo, Finland, a vibrant city known for its innovation ecosystem, with easy access to Helsinki and a high quality of life.

How to Position Yourself for This Role (and Others Like It)

If this role resonates with you, it is essential to prepare a candidacy that highlights both your legal expertise and your commercial impact. Here are some actionable strategies:

• Tailor your CV to showcase experience with listed companies, governance frameworks, and financing transactions. Use metrics where possible—for example, “negotiated €150M credit facility” or “managed governance for 20+ subsidiaries.”
• Prepare for behavioral questions that probe how you handled conflicts between legal compliance and business goals. Have a story ready that demonstrates your ability to find pragmatic solutions.
• Brush up on AI in legal work. Huhtamaki specifically asks for skills in leveraging digital and AI-based tools. Mention any specific tools you have used (e.g., Kira, Luminance, or even Microsoft Copilot) and how they improved your workflow.
• Highlight your Finnish language skills if you have them, as this is a hard requirement for the role.
• Research Huhtamaki's governance structure and recent annual reports. Being able to speak confidently about their board structure, subsidiary footprint, or sustainability initiatives will set you apart.

Remember that this role is not just about legal knowledge—it is about strategic partnership. In your cover letter or application, emphasize how you have previously advised on financing, treasury, or governance matters to help drive business outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the application deadline for the Senior Legal Counsel position?

The job posting does not specify an application deadline. We recommend applying as soon as possible, as roles like this often fill quickly once a strong candidate is found. The posting was made on LinkedIn within the last 24 hours, so early application is advantageous.

2. Is fluency in Finnish mandatory, or can English alone suffice?

The job posting explicitly states that fluent written and spoken Finnish and English are required. This is mandatory because the role involves working closely with Finnish regulatory bodies, internal stakeholders, and possibly Finnish-language documents. International candidates without Finnish language skills are unlikely to be considered.

3. What are the key skills needed to succeed in this governance and finance role?

Beyond the formal qualifications, the role requires a combination of deep legal expertise in securities and corporate law, strong commercial awareness, excellent negotiation and drafting skills, and the ability to work independently yet collaboratively. Additionally, being comfortable with AI-based legal tools is becoming increasingly important to Huhtamaki’s legal team.

4. Can this role lead to career advancement within Huhtamaki?

Yes. Huhtamaki emphasizes development opportunities and invests in fostering an environment where talent can thrive. Senior lawyers within the company often progress to leadership roles in the legal function or move into broader business management positions. Working at the headquarters provides high visibility with senior leadership, which can significantly accelerate career growth.

If you are ready to take on a role that combines legal excellence with strategic impact, this Senior Legal Counsel position at Huhtamaki deserves your serious consideration. The intersection of governance, finance, and sustainability is where modern corporate law is heading—and being at that frontier is an opportunity few lawyers get to experience.