Legal Counsel - Central Europe

We are looking for a Legal Counsel to support our business in the Airports and Distribution domains, mainly across the Benelux and DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). In this role, you will act as a trusted legal advisor, supporting both customer-facing and supplier-related activities throughout the project lifecycle.

Your Responsibilities

As Legal Counsel - Central Europe, you will:

• Provide pragmatic, solution-oriented legal advice to the business for projects in Benelux and DACH.
• Draft, review, comment on, and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts, both on the customer and supplier side.
• Support and advise on tender and bid processes, including identification and mitigation of legal risks.
• Guide and support the internal approval process, ensuring compliance with Vanderlande’s governance and policies.
• Collaborate closely with business stakeholders, including Sales, Project Management, Procurement, and Finance, to achieve balanced commercial and legal outcomes.
• Deliver legal input throughout the project lifecycle, from bid stage to contract execution and project delivery, in close co-operation with Contract Management and Project Management.
• Provide training and guidance to business teams on legal topics, contract management, and risk awareness.
• Act as the subject matter expert for the worldwide corporate insurance program.

Your profile

• Law degree (Master’s or equivalent).
• Minimum 7 years of professional experience, ideally in an international corporate environment or leading law firm.
• Proven experience in project business, preferably in engineering, infrastructure, logistics, or comparable industries.
• Strong experience in contract drafting and negotiation of complex commercial agreements.
• Sound understanding of risk assessment and mitigation in project environments.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills with a pragmatic, business-oriented mindset.
• Ability to work in a dynamic, international environment and manage multiple stakeholders.
• Team-oriented, proactive, and committed personality.
• Occasional travel will be required.
• Strong English skills, written and spoken; preferably fluent in German and Dutch.

What do we offer?

• 40 vacation days (20 statutory days and a flexible budget worth 20 days).
• Lease car allowance.
• Flexible working hours.
• A hybrid workplace with 40% working from home and 60% in the office.
• A Health & Wellbeing budget worth €300 per calendar year.
• Commuting allowance, including full reimbursement of travel by public transport.
• Working from home allowance.
• Collective pension scheme and discount on additional health insurance.
• On-site company health centres with a gym, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists.
• Vanderlande Academy and training facilities to boost your skills.
• A variety of Vanderlande Network communities and initiatives.
• A great company restaurant and coffee bar with barista.

Background screening

For this position it is possible that a background screening will be conducted. This screening can include checks such as verification of identity, qualifications, or other relevant records, which may include criminal background or sanctions list checks, in accordance with our internal policies and applicable laws. Any job offer may be extended under the condition that the screening does not give reason to reconsider the hiring decision. Candidates will always be informed about the process and their rights before any screening is initiated.