Senior Group Legal Counsel – HES International (on hold)

Company

HES International is Europe’s largest group multi-purpose bulk terminal operator. The company holds a unique independent position in the supply chain of bulk goods providing first class access to Europe’s deep draft terminals and seamlessly connecting these with inland distribution networks via pipeline, barge, truck and train.

HES is at the forefront of the energy transition, actively driving innovation and sustainability in the new-energies domain and pursuing the diversification of the bulk commodities that it stores and handles for her customers. The company is not just talking about the future, it is building it with a clear and exciting sustainability ambition through realizing tangible projects (e.g., sustainable construction material, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, biofuels, and various projects in repurposing thermal coal storage space). For more information visit; Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability | HES International.

HES (Haven en Scheepvaart) was founded in 1908 and continues to contribute to the world of tomorrow, in line with its company values Safety & Entrepreneurship, Respect & Integrity, Openness & Accountability. Ambition, reliability, and their ever-growing innovation capacity make HES a partner of choice for their international client base.

On behalf of HES International we seek to recruit an ambitious and hands-on Group Legal Counsel that is able to work independently and on a senior level.

Position

The agile Legal & Compliance team, which currently consists of the General Counsel, a Group Legal Counsel on equal seniority level and a Legal Support Officer, is responsible for the optimal Legal position for HES Group in a broad range of legal and compliance areas, ranging from commercial contracting to M&A, corporate and permitting matters, including managing support on regulatory issues for all operating companies (terminals).

The Senior Group Legal Counsel will be able to operate independently while having the opportunity to collaborate with his team members if desired. The legal team consists of highly empowered and business oriented senior lawyers with broad responsibilities who enjoy working in an international and fast-paced environment.

“Forget just reviewing contracts. At HES, in-house counsels are entrepreneurs at heart. We go beyond – empowering management and colleagues to mitigate risks through proactive guidance and assistance, turning legal expertise into the foundation for our success.” – Remco van der Veer, General Counsel

You will help to ensure that the HES Group companies comply with all relevant commercial and corporate legal, regulatory and permitting requirements.

Specific responsibilities within the Legal & Compliance team are:

• Commercial contracting: Drafting, negotiating, and reviewing commercial contracts, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
• M&A: overseeing and managing the legal aspects of all M&A activities, including but not limited to mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, divestitures, and other strategic transactions
• Legal risk management: identifying and mitigating potential legal risks associated with the group’s activities;
• Staying up-to-date: continuously monitoring changes in rules and regulations and advising management and business directors to take action accordingly;
• Acquisition and renewal: ensuring all permits for the group’s operations are obtained and renewed timely, such as regulatory requirements for operations, (project) construction, environment, health & safety, and data privacy;
• Liaising with authorities: communication with authorities to clarify requirements, troubleshoot issues, and smoothen permit application processes;
• Internal training: coordinating and conducting training sessions for employees on legal and regulatory matters.

Profile

You are a pro-active, entrepreneurial and hands-on legal business advisor, with a University Degree in (Dutch) Law and at least 6 years of experience in an international business environment. Law firm experience is considered a plus, as is additional experience with regulatory/permits processes.

Working in a team of 4 in a non-hierarchical and fast-paced organization that is backed by PE managed infrastructure funds, you will need to bring a flexible and down-to-earth personality and the capacity to work independently with many internal and external stakeholders. A solid safety mindset, following HES’ key company value as well as the industry’s regulatory requirements, is a non-negotiable.

You are fluent in English. Preferably also fluent in Dutch.

Offer

HES offers the ability to work at the Group office with magnificent view of the Rotterdam harbor. Short decision lines close to the Executive Board. Competitive salary and excellent benefits are part of the offer. You may be required to occasionally travel within Europe.