Senior Legal Contract Manager

At Thales in Hengelo, the Senior Legal Contract Manager for the F126 project provides legal expertise and contract management for high-value and complex (sub)contracts and partnerships for the German Navy F126 frigates, one of the largest-scale projects of Thales Nederland.

About the Team

The Legal Contracts & Compliance team of Thales in the Netherlands consists of about 25 people based in Hengelo and Huizen: legal counsels, legal contract managers and trade compliance professionals, who are all dedicated to their jobs and the Thales organization and frequently travel all over the world.

The Legal Contracts & Compliance team protects and ensures the legal interests of Thales Nederland and deals with complex legal issues and contractual matters. Activities include assisting the capture team with the drafting and negotiation of contracts and the subsequent execution of those contracts in the project team, often within a culturally and politically challenging environment. There is a strong focus on continuous learning and improvement, with much responsibility given to individual team members.

About your future job

As Senior Legal Contract Manager for the F126 project at Thales, your main mission is to provide legal expertise and contract management that enables the company to uphold its rights and obligations under the high-value and complex (sub)contracts and partnership for the German Navy F126 frigates. Throughout the project lifecycle, you work closely with senior project management, including project management of Thales Germany, to ensure legal and contractual compliance, identify and mitigate contractual risks, and oversee the proper and timely execution of the contract.

You also manage relationships and negotiations with the prime contractor, the customer and partners, support resolution of disputes when necessary, and help ensure project objectives are achieved within contractual frameworks. The Senior Legal Contract Manager for the F126 project reports (in)directly to the VP Legal Contract & Compliance of Thales Nederland as well as to the Project Director F126.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that the commitments made under the contracts, projects, and partnerships, including major subcontracts, secure the interests of the company or entity concerned.
• Ensure compliance with all the requirements of the Group Compliance program.
• Set up the means allowing effective management of contractual commitments related to bids, projects and partnerships for which you are responsible.
• Supervise the contract management team dedicated to the relevant bids and projects while ensuring the best level of service.
• Manage any pre-litigation situations related to the projects and partnerships for which you are responsible, in liaison with the Group’s Legal Litigation Department and, if applicable, the VP of the Global Business Unit, the Country or the Region concerned.
• Provide the Group’s Legal Department with the assistance it requires in case of litigation.
• Participate in the optimization of profitability and cash flow of projects, based on contractual opportunities and risks, notably through proactive risk management.

In the bid phase (if applicable)

• Analyze the calls for tenders and prepare the non-technical response elements, in accordance with the processes and instructions in force.
• Participate in reviews.
• Participate in the drafting and negotiation of contracts, subcontracts and, where applicable, agreements with partners.

In the project phase

• Ensure, in collaboration with the project team, the management of contractual commitments in accordance with current processes and instructions.
• Contribute to defining, with the project team, a risk and opportunity management strategy for the entire contractual chain.
• Regularly participate in project reviews, including those related to risks and opportunities, and propose action plans if necessary.
• Analyze the claims of customers and, where applicable, partners, deal with these and ensure follow-up.
• Prepare official or sensitive mails and other useful elements for the pre-litigation file.
• Serve as a point of contact for any matter relating to the execution of contractual commitments.

About you

• Approximately 10 years in the legal or contract management department of an international company.
• Master’s degree in Law.
• Excellent command of business and legal English and preferably German.
• Ability to manage complex situations and contractual structures.
• Strong experience in drafting and negotiating complex contracts and managing the execution of such contracts.
• Excellent attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Commercial awareness and a business-oriented mindset.
• Proven experience and ability to work effectively within and with German cultures and environments.
• Proactive and able to take the initiative in a coordinating role.
• Experience in coordinating and managing cross-functional teams.
• Ability to effectively manage and influence internal and external stakeholders, also in difficult and challenging environments.
• Good analytical and synthesis skills, including business, financial and technical aspects of projects, coupled with a real ability to mitigate risks and propose creative solutions in a complex environment.

Thales offers

• Join a diverse, inclusive and international team in a high-tech, innovative environment where a wide range of perspectives and experiences are genuinely valued.
• Enjoy strong support for personal and professional development, whether you are aiming for technical depth, commercial growth, international experience or leadership, with opportunities tailored to your goals and potential.
• Collaborate with colleagues from over 68 countries in a culture built on equality, respect and shared learning.
• Work in a modern, accessible office with flexible hours, hybrid working conditions, support for work-life balance, and adaptability to suit your personal circumstances.
• Benefit from 40 vacation days per year, a competitive salary and the freedom to customize your employment package, including options such as internet reimbursement, corporate fitness, bike plan, union contributions or relocation support.
• Your ideas and initiative are truly welcome, and you will have the freedom to shape your role to add value and make meaningful contributions.

Security requirements

In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in The Netherlands, and employment and/or education history. This role also requires security clearance, which may lead to further evidence being requested.