Senior Legal Counsel – Thales Nederland

Our Client

Thales Nederland is the subsidiary of the French multinational Thales Group that designs, develops and manufactures electrical systems as well as devices and equipment for the aerospace, defense, transportation and security sectors. Thales Nederland is primarily involved in naval defense systems such as sensors, radars and combat management systems. Other areas of business include air defense, cyber defense, digital identity, communications and cryogenic cooling systems.

The company is one of the biggest high-tech employers in the field of safety and security. In the Netherlands, where 2,250 employees (out of 80,000 employees worldwide) are based, it is located in Amersfoort, Breda, Delft, Eindhoven, Huizen, Hengelo (Dutch HQ) and Rotterdam.

The Dutch entity is supported by a legal team of approximately 20 lawyers, contract managers and trade compliance professionals, the majority of the team is based in Hengelo. All dedicated to their jobs and the organization. Due to retirement of one of the senior legal counsel Thales is currently seeking to recruit for a Senior Legal Counsel (0,8-1 fte/hybrid) for the team based in Hengelo and open for travelling all over the world to assist the business in entering into agreements.

The Position

As a Senior Legal Counsel you will be involved in dealing with complex legal issues. Main part of the work will be working on drafting, negotiation and closing (international) contracts in an often culturally and politically challenging environment. Above, you may be the specialist within the broader team on certain legal topics, such as procurement or compliance.

As the counterparts are based all over the world, travelling, both within Europe as well as globally, will be an important aspect of the job. In this position you will report to the Director Legal & Contracts.

The Profile

It goes without saying that you have a (EU) Master Degree in law combined with at least 7 years of working experience within a law firm and/or as a legal counsel, contracting specialist in multinational company, having outstanding experience in drafting, negotiation and closure of international complex contracts. You avail of up-to-date legal knowledge. You excel in an international and challenging environment where you, besides the legal aspects, also understand technical, financial and commercial aspects of a contract.

You are able to plan and organize activities yourself, you can set priorities. Activities are often driven by the customer’s time schedule which may change on a daily basis. Being flexible and continuously monitor and adapt priorities is of utmost importance.

Furthermore, you have a strong, independent personality, are solution-focused, a team player and able to manage different stakeholders. You can set priorities and have a good command (oral and written) of Dutch and English.

The Offer

What’s in it for you?

• a great and fun team in a high-tech, innovative international organization
• (international) opportunities for growth in various roles
• 40 days paid leave per year, travel expenses, flexible benefits à la carte package with options like purchase/sale of leave hours, internet costs, bicycle plan, company fitness
• option to building a living in the beautiful surroundings of Overijssel/Twente, relocation costs (partially) paid
• nice workplace in a modern building where good work-life balance is valued, so is flexibility – hybdrid workplace (60% at the office in Hengelo)

A Dutch passport is a prerequisite due to the contracts with the Dutch government that often are “Dutch eyes only”.