(Part-Time) Legal Counsel - Commercial Contracts (EMEA)

Join DEPT®’s Legal Team as a part-time Legal Counsel focused on Commercial Contracts across EMEA. You will work with a collaborative, pragmatic and business-focused team, supporting the business with drafting, reviewing and negotiating a broad range of commercial agreements.

Strong German language skills are essential, as you will support German-speaking stakeholders and handle German language contracts and negotiations where required. You will act as a pragmatic business partner, balancing legal risk with commercial objectives.

Job purpose

This role is part of our Legal Team at DEPT®, a group of collaborative, pragmatic and business-focused legal professionals that will feel like friends in no time. You will collaborate with stakeholders that will challenge and inspire you, in the environment of a leading international agency with the energy of a dynamic local team. We trust and value creative freedom and autonomy.

What you’ll do

• Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts, including client service agreements (e.g. MSAs, SOWs, SLAs), supplier contracts, and licensing agreements (IP, AI, software, cloud and technology-related agreements)
• Provide clear, pragmatic legal advice to business stakeholders across EMEA on commercial law matters
• Act as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders, helping them navigate legal risks in a fast-paced environment
• Support the development and improvement of contract templates, policies, playbooks and legal workflows
• Deliver legal training to business teams on key legal topics (e.g. contracting, risk, AI, data)
• Partner with business and operational teams to identify and mitigate legal risks while achieving commercial objectives
• Stay informed about relevant developments in law and industry-specific regulations in the EMEA region, including GDPR, IP, digital services, AI and other technology-related legal developments
• Collaborate closely with the wider global Legal Team to ensure consistency and knowledge sharing across all regions

What you bring

• Fully qualified lawyer (preferably NL, Germany or another European jurisdiction) or equivalent in-house experience
• 3-5 years’ experience in commercial and contract law at a law firm and/or in-house role
• Fluent German (written and spoken) and fluent English required
• Familiarity with German and Swiss law is a plus
• Experience in digital marketing, advertising and/or technology services is preferred
• Experience in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts in a services-based environment is a plus
• Working knowledge of key regulatory frameworks relevant to digital marketing and technology services, including GDPR, the EU AI Act, and preferably advertising/marketing regulations applicable in the DACH region
• Pragmatic, business-oriented mindset with the ability to balance legal risk and commercial needs
• Comfortable making risk-based decisions in an in-house environment
• Able to work independently while collaborating effectively within an international Legal Team
• Exceptional analytical skills and attention to detail
• Confident communicator who can advise non-legal stakeholders clearly, practically and commercially
• A proactive team player who thrives in a fast-paced, international environment and embraces a dynamic, evolving business landscape

We offer

• A flexible, hybrid working policy (2-3 days from the office, depending on location) and the opportunity to work from abroad for 13 weeks a year
• 24 vacation days per year and the possibility to buy an unlimited number of extra vacation days
• DEPT®/YOU Learning Menu and DEPT®/YOU Special Programs, with courses and programs tailored to your needs
• A contribution to your health through the OpenUp platform, gym and wellness discounts, and healthy lunches at the office
• A discount on your lease bike and hassle-free commutes with an NS Business Card
• DEPT® has been a Certified B Corp® since 2021 and has been named a Great Place To Work since 2022 in the Netherlands
• The opportunity to work with a wide range of clients, from local to global, and celebrate successes together