In-House Counsel

We are on behalf of a leading Chinese automaker expanding globally. They’re seeking an In-House Counsel to build legal frameworks from the ground up and deal with daily legal matters.

Responsibilities

Contract Management & Commercial Law:

• Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on a wide range of commercial agreements, including but not limited to: sales and distribution agreements, customer and vendor contracts, service agreements, marketing and partnership agreements, and confidentiality (NDA) agreements.
• Develop, standardize, and maintain local contract templates in line with global legal standards and local law requirements.
• Advise the sales and procurement teams on contractual rights, obligations, and risks.

Compliance & Regulatory:

• Monitor, interpret, and ensure compliance with laws and regulations relevant to our business in the Netherlands and Belgium (e.g., competition law, data privacy (GDPR/GDPR Implementation Acts), consumer protection, advertising standards, and sector-specific regulations).
• Develop and implement local compliance policies, training programs, and procedures in alignment with the group's global compliance framework.
• Manage and act as a key point of contact for data privacy matters in the region, liaising with the Group Data Protection Officer as required.
• Support the subsidiary directors in fulfilling their corporate governance and statutory obligations under Dutch and Belgian law.

Dispute Resolution & Risk Management:

• Manage and oversee pre-litigation disputes, litigation, and arbitration in coordination with external counsel and the global legal team.
• Develop strategies to minimize legal risks and provide practical risk-based advice to the business.
• Conduct legal research on novel issues affecting the business in the region.

General Legal Support:

• Provide timely, clear, and pragmatic legal advice to internal stakeholders regularly or from time to time.
• Advise on employment law matters in close coordination with the HR department and external counsel when necessary.
• Manage and instruct external law firms effectively and within budget.
• Collaborate effectively with the global legal, compliance, and finance teams.

Qualifications & Experience

• Capable of using Dutch as the main language for daily legal work and communication
• Master’s degree in Dutch Law from a recognized university.
• An additional qualification in Belgian law is a significant advantage.
• Proven experience in Dutch commercial law and contract negotiation. Experience with Belgian law is highly desirable.
• Solid understanding of the GDPR and its national implementations in the Netherlands and Belgium.
• 3-5 years of experience in the automotive industry is an advantage