Principal Corporate Counsel - Environmental Sustainability (EMEA)

About the Role

The Regulatory Affairs team at Cisco forms part of the Legal department, bringing together lawyers, operational experts, program managers, engineers, and specialists focusing on privacy, global trade, cybersecurity, telecom, environmental sustainability, and other regulatory areas. This team supports interpreting, implementing, and influencing regulatory landscapes impacting Cisco’s business while partnering extensively across internal departments and external stakeholders.

Role Impact & Responsibilities

• Provide legal guidance on a range of environmental, product, and supply chain regulations applicable across the EMEA region, including ROHS, REACH, WEEE, PFAS, EPR, ESPR, CSRD, and the EU Batteries Regulation.
• Lead the development and oversight of Cisco's environmental compliance strategy by establishing internal policies, processes, and procedures to ensure adherence.
• Design and deliver training sessions and updates to internal teams on evolving regulatory requirements and compliance best practices.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional groups such as Sustainability, Supply Chain, Customer Experience, Refresh, Legal, Government Affairs, Engineering, and Workplace Resources to embed compliance into product design and business operations.
• Work with Government Affairs to influence regulatory frameworks positively and participate actively in relevant industry associations.
• Support responses to regulators and enforcement agencies alongside the Legal team as necessary.

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer (LLB, JD, or equivalent) authorized to practice in any EU country or the UK with more than seven years of experience post-qualification in sustainability or associated regulatory compliance.
• Extensive expertise in environmental sustainability laws and regulations pertinent to EMEA.
• Excellent English communication skills; proficiency in other European languages is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with diverse teams to formulate and implement effective compliance strategies.

Desired Experience

• Background in multinational corporations, especially in technology sectors, is strongly preferred.
• Experience engaging with regulatory agencies and active participation in industry forums.
• Competence in using AI-driven tools or intelligence platforms for risk analysis to improve compliance efficiency and risk mitigation.
• Strong verbal and written communication, time management, analytical reasoning, and process documentation capabilities.

Why Work with Cisco?

Cisco has been pioneering technology for four decades, connecting and protecting organizations globally in an AI-driven era. The company fosters a collaborative environment that promotes development and innovation on a worldwide scale. Joining Cisco means becoming part of a diverse team influencing technology's role across every industry and community worldwide.