Head of Legal

Strategic legal leadership role with broad autonomy Opportunity to shape legal governance and support company growth About Our Client Our client is seeking a business-oriented Senior Legal Counsel to serve as General Counsel Belgium. In this pivotal role, you will act as the company's primary legal authority, guiding strategic decisions and supporting operations across multiple domains. You will collaborate closely with executives and cross‑functional teams to anticipate risks, review opportunities, and ensure corporate and regulatory compliance. The role requires a pragmatic mindset, strong autonomy, and the ability to manage a wide scope of responsibilities, including contract negotiation, corporate governance, regulatory follow‑up, dispute management, and data protection. You will also shape internal legal processes and contribute to the company's development within a dynamic, evolving regulatory environment, particularly in areas such as AI governance and digital regulation. Job Description Legal Advisory & Risk Management Act as the primary point of contact for all internal legal questions. Provide clear guidance on commercial, corporate, regulatory, employment, data protection, and related matters. Anticipate risks and recommend mitigation strategies aligned with business objectives. Draft internal legal policies and governance guidelines. Contract Management Draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts (customer, vendor, NDAs, licensing, partnerships). Develop and maintain contract templates, including AI, data processing, model training, and automated decision‑making clauses. Implement an efficient contract management process. Corporate & Regulatory Compliance Ensure compliance with Belgian law, EU regulations, and internal group policies. Manage corporate housekeeping (board minutes, shareholder registers, annual filings). Monitor regulatory developments, particularly in AI, data, and digital regulation, and advise leadership proactively. Employment & HR Support Provide guidance on Belgian labor law. Offer ad hoc legal support to HR. Data Protection & AI Oversee GDPR and AI regulatory compliance. Draft and review data processing agreements and privacy documentation. Support privacy‑by‑design initiatives. Dispute Management Handle pre‑litigation and settlement discussions. Coordinate external counsel for litigation or specialized matters. Manage escalations with insurers, authorities, and regulators. External Counsel & Stakeholder Management Select and manage external law firms. Optimize legal spending and external support. Represent the company in strategic negotiations and meetings. The Successful Applicant Belgian Master's in Law Degree. At least 5 years of relevant experience. Strong expertise in Belgian commercial, corporate, and employment law. Proven ability to independently manage a broad legal scope (solo legal counsel). Fluent in Dutch, French and English. Experience in an international or fast‑paced environment. Knowledge of GDPR and EU regulatory frameworks. Strong negotiation and communication skills. Ability to translate complex legal questions into actionable business advice. High autonomy, pragmatism, and initiative. Experience in mergers or corporate structuring is an asset. What's on Offer A strategic leadership role with significant autonomy, impact, and exposure to executive decision‑making. You will shape the legal function locally, work with international stakeholders, and contribute directly to business development within a growing and dynamic regulatory environment. Competitive compensation and opportunities for professional growth are included. Permanent contract only - No freelance / independent #J-18808-Ljbffr