Legal Counsel

AWL Careers | Some things we don’t automate

Do you want to further develop your legal talents in a dynamic and international environment? This is your chance!

You hold a Master’s degree in Law and have at least 4 years of work experience, preferably in commercial law or as an in-house lawyer within an international, complex, and dynamic organisation;

You are fluent in Dutch and English, both written and spoken; knowledge of German and Spanish is a plus;

You are eager to learn, confident, and able to quickly absorb new information;

You are willing to travel occasionally for work, including internationally;

You are available at least 32 hours per week at our sustainable headquarters in Harderwijk; partial remote working is possible.

A pleasant and varied working environment within a collegial and ambitious international organisation, while retaining all the characteristics of a family business;

A versatile role with plenty of flexibility and autonomy;

A gross monthly salary between €5.500 and €7.800 for a 40-hour week (depending on education and experience), complemented by excellent secondary benefits such as 27 vacation days and 13 ATV days;

Extensive opportunities for personal development through our AWL Academy with over 50 training programmes, and participation in our wellness programme, “Boost Your Life”;

The chance to actively contribute as a lawyer in negotiation processes and take initiative.

As a Legal Counsel at AWL, you are at the heart of an organisation that is a global leader as a (robot) system integrator in the automotive, metal processing, and logistics sectors. You work in an international, high-tech environment where innovation plays a key role. As Legal Counsel, you contribute to the company’s success by, for example, identifying risks and devising practical solutions.

As a Legal Counsel at AWL, no two days are alike. The modern office encourages spontaneous interactions, which happen frequently. This gives you plenty of contact with colleagues from various disciplines and exposes you to a wide range of activities. You switch between reviewing a sales contract, analysing an NDA, conducting negotiations, and contributing to legal strategies that respond to market developments.

Drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and maintaining commercial contracts with our clients, suppliers, and other chain partners;

Ensuring compliance with internal company policies, national and international laws and regulations, including export control, privacy legislation, and anti-corruption provisions;

Identifying and mitigating legal risks associated with international activities (risk management);

Advising the board and management and fostering legal awareness;

Protecting the company’s intellectual property rights, particularly in international markets;

Maintaining and advising on corporate housekeeping;

Drafting and keeping procedures up to date in line with laws and regulations;

Maintaining external contacts with lawyers and legal professionals;

Monitoring legal deadlines and providing support across all areas;

Providing legal training for our colleagues.

In this role, you report hierarchically to the Chief Executive Officer and functionally to an interim Senior Legal Counsel, who will guide and support you during the initial period of your employment. This is a unique opportunity to join a company where (personal) development is embedded in the company’s DNA.

Over a cup of coffee, you discuss the legal aspects of a new client contract with a Sales colleague. Earlier that morning, questions came in from different time zones, for example regarding a quotation from China. You assess the risks and propose practical solutions. Next, you review an NDA for a new collaboration and align the terms of a supplier contract with Procurement. In between, you advise a project manager on a tender and switch quickly between tasks, keeping the main points and details clearly in perspective.

You liaise with an external lawyer regarding a dispute with an overseas supplier. Afterwards, you update internal procedures in line with new laws and regulations.

After a lunch walk with colleagues, you continue drafting a framework agreement. You then discuss a complex case with the interim Legal Counsel to arrive at an appropriate solution.

Colleagues from the US and Mexico join online. You receive questions about sanctions law and contractual risks, prioritise them, and address the most urgent matters immediately.

The day has flown by! You wrap up your tasks and shut down your laptop, leaving the office with a sense of satisfaction.

Maintaining legal documentation and procedures

AWL stands out for its commitment to being a good employer, with ‘caring for others’ at its core. Learning from one another and collaborating on innovative high-tech solutions are central to our approach. Colleagues are engaged, and there is ample opportunity for personal and professional development. This creates a dynamic environment where opportunities and ideas are embraced. We believe in our people! Down-to-earth and straightforward, at AWL you work in an international setting with passionate professionals. With offices in the Netherlands (HQ), Czech Republic, China, Mexico, the United States, and the United Kingdom, we work hard and together with over 700 colleagues to deliver global productivity for our customers.

For job-related questions about this role, please contact Brand van ’t Hof, Chief Executive Officer, or Jurgen Kappert, interim Senior Legal Counsel, at [staat bij de werkgever]. For questions about the application process, contact Priya Jhorai, Corporate Recruiter, at [staat bij de werkgever]. Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.