Our client, a Brussels-based international services company, is currently looking for a Freelance General Counsel for a period of 7 months with a start begin May.
The Freelance General Counsel’s key responsibilities will include:
1) Employment Law & HR Support:
- The ideal candidate will be required to have deep expertise in Belgian employment law and compliance, with the ability to oversee and provide strategic legal advice on HR-related and regulatory matters in France, Germany and the UK. That would include contracts, terminations, compensation, benefits, and workplace policies.
- Support cross-border employment issues, such as secondments, remote work, and employee mobility.
- As an employer’s representative of the works council, attend the weekly works council meetings and support interactions with trade unions and works councils, particularly in Belgium and other relevant jurisdictions.
- Handle litigation and disputes related to labor law, including negotiations with trade unions and works councils and advise on employee disputes, grievances, and litigation, managing external counsel where necessary.
2) Compliance & Regulatory Oversight
- Ensure compliance with employment regulations, anti-corruption laws, whistleblower protections, and GDPR, by improving existing or developing new corporate compliance programs.
- Conduct and oversee internal investigations related to employment and compliance matters.
- Provide training to HR and leadership teams on regulatory obligations and best practices.
3) Corporate & Commercial Legal Advisory
- Support M&A due diligence and integration from a corporate law, employment and compliance perspective.
- Assist in negotiating and drafting complex commercial and employment-related agreements, including executive contracts and consultancy arrangements.
- Monitor and assess legal developments in Belgium, France, Germany, and the UK, adapting contract templates, policies and processes accordingly.
The key qualifications required for this Freelance General Counsel job:
- Law degree from an accredited Belgian or other EU university and practical experience ideally from both law firm and in-house roles.
- Proven ability to work autonomously and advise C-level executives on complex legal matters.
- Deep expertise in Belgian employment law & compliance; experience in France, Germany, and the UK is essential and having worked in international organizations will be an asset.
- Strong background in HR-related litigation, regulatory compliance, and internal investigations.
- Ability to work independently and provide business-oriented legal advice in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency in English, French and Dutch are a plus.
If you are an Interim Manager eager to take on this challenging assignment as General Counsel, send us your resume today.
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