Junior Legal Counsel

About the role

Jan De Nul Group delivers complex projects worldwide in dredging, offshore energy, infrastructure and environmental remediation. To support our continued growth, we are looking for a Junior Legal Counsel to strengthen our legal team in Aalst.

As a Junior Legal Counsel, you will have the opportunity to develop a broad legal profile within an international and project-driven organisation. You will not be assigned to one specific business unit, but will work on a wide variety of matters across Dredging Solutions, Procurement and the Technical Department, among others.

You will join an experienced Legal team and work closely with colleagues across the business. This will give you the opportunity to quickly gain insight into the legal, commercial, technical and operational aspects of our activities.

What you’ll do

As a Junior Legal Counsel, you will support the business on a wide range of legal and contractual matters. You will be involved in different stages of a project or collaboration, from tendering and contract formation to execution, claims and potential disputes.

Your main tasks and responsibilities include:

• Contracts and contract analysis: you analyse, draft and review a wide range of commercial contracts, including construction contracts, subcontracting agreements, engineering contracts, cooperation agreements and other commercial arrangements.
• Tenders and procurement: you support the legal analysis of tender documents and identify legal and contractual risks and opportunities. You contribute to finding ways to mitigate these risks.
• Procurement: you support the Procurement organisation on contractual and legal matters and work on agreements with suppliers, partners and subcontractors.
• Project support: you advise project, tender and procurement teams during the preparation and execution of projects and contracts.
• Legal risk analysis: you assess new assignments and collaborations from a legal and contractual perspective and translate your analysis into practical and workable advice.
• Claims and disputes: you support the management of claims and disputes, both in an amicable context and in cooperation with external lawyers or other legal partners.
• Cooperation agreements: you work on joint ventures, partnerships and other forms of collaboration.
• Legal updates: you monitor relevant developments in legislation and regulations and translate them into practical implications for the organisation.

You will have the opportunity to gradually specialise in areas that match your interests and strengths. However, the starting point is a broad legal role with a great deal of variety and exposure to different activities within Jan De Nul Group.

You will work closely with a wide range of stakeholders across the organisation. This will not only allow you to develop your legal expertise, but also to build a strong understanding of how complex international projects are delivered from a commercial and operational perspective.

What do you need?

You hold a Master’s degree in Law and have a strong interest in contract law, commercial law, construction law and/or public procurement. A first professional experience as a lawyer, in-house legal counsel or in another relevant legal environment is an asset, but certainly not a requirement. More important is your ambition to develop further as an in-house legal counsel and to apply your legal knowledge in a practical and commercial context.

You are analytically strong and able to translate complex legal matters into clear, pragmatic and workable advice. You work accurately and in a structured manner, while also being proactive and solution-oriented. You feel comfortable in an environment where legal, commercial and operational interests come together and enjoy working with different stakeholders across the organisation.

You are able to independently take ownership of files and responsibilities, while knowing when consultation with colleagues or external legal partners is appropriate. You are curious and eager to broaden your legal knowledge. Experience with international contracts, construction law, procurement or public procurement is an advantage.

You have excellent written and spoken Dutch, English and French. Knowledge of Spanish is an additional asset.

Why working for us

Working at Jan De Nul means contributing to solutions for some of the world's biggest challenges: from the energy transition and rising sea levels to smart mobility. It means learning every day and working together with colleagues to improve quality of life worldwide for generations to come.

What we offer

• A permanent training and development programme through our JDN Academy.
• The opportunity to exercise at work through our FIT programme.
• A permanent contract with 42 paid days of leave (20 statutory holidays, 12 ADV days and 10 public holidays).
• A healthy work-life balance, including flexible working hours and occasional working from home.
• A competitive salary with a 13th month and double holiday pay, including:
  • Meal vouchers and eco vouchers.
  • The possibility to participate in the Flex Reward programme, including bicycle and car leasing, with a fuel card or charging card in Belgium.
  • Public transport allowance and bicycle allowance.
  • Group and hospitalisation insurance.
  • The option of an iPhone with subscription.
  • Various employee discounts.

The world is what you make of it

Jan De Nul shapes water and land worldwide. We are driving the transition towards renewable energy through offshore energy infrastructure. We focus on nature-inclusive dredging solutions to build ports and protect our coastline. We develop innovative construction projects for smart mobility and sustainable buildings. And we redevelop our planet by giving contaminated sites a new purpose.

At Jan De Nul, the world is what you make of it.

Jan De Nul Group promotes diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not tolerate discrimination.

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