Head of Legal

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Legal Director is the primary advisor on all legal matters, guiding company policy to reflect legislative changes and statutory compliance, whilst performing duties as a generalist.

Furthermore, the Legal Director will be involved on legal processes related to the acquisition or divestments of PBSA assets. The company will rely on the Legal Director’s expertise and judgement to help protect the interests of its customers, shareholders, and employees, and to further company mission and goals.

KEY TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES (include but are not limited to)

Legal advisory & operations

· Give accurate and timely counsel to executives in a variety of legal topics (labour law, tenancy law, health & safety, partnerships, international ventures, financing, M&A, asset acquisitions and divestitures etc.).

· Collaborate with management to devise efficient and effective legal strategies.

· Manage third-party counsels and vendors, communicate and negotiate with external parties, creating relations of trust.

· Oversee the cross-jurisdictional corporate structure, including providing oversight of the tax framework incorporate or set up legal entities and register companies.

· Maintain current knowledge of alterations in legislation; prepare overviews on changes of laws impacting the Company’s portfolio or set up and provide guidance how to mitigate any such impact.

· Understand and advise based on respective tenancy laws in different European jurisdictions.

· Provide corporate secretarial oversight and operational support in a generalist capacity.

· Oversee specialists or local legal counsel in respective jurisdictions.

Deal/Transaction Support

· Engage and oversee legal specialists during a transaction; collaborate with external legal counsels to draft transaction and legal agreements .

· Oversee and ensure compliance with legal requirements related to multi-jurisdictional investments.

· Prepare a legal profile of the Company and its desired portfolio, enabling management to communicate with external parties (regulators, external counsel, public authority etc.); prepare overview of properties available for sale and corresponding to the legal profile of the Company.

· Identify and resolve legal issues or disputes that may arise during the transaction processes.

· Manage legal documentation and filings required for regulatory approvals and closing of the transaction.

Contract and Project Management

· Ensure contracts are drafted, reviewed and executed in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

· Offer proactive and hands-on project management support for legal matters involving third-party engagements.

Corporate Governance

· Ensure the company’s compliance with corporate governance standards and regulations specific to the applicable jurisdictions and international best practice.

· Develop and manage corporate governance policies, guidelines, and best practices to ensure compliance and risk management.

Regulatory & Compliance

· Specify internal governance policies, including whistleblower and GDPR; conduct regular assessment of corporate governance practices and procedures to identify areas for improvement and mitigate risks.

· Maintain a record of company legal documents; manage intellectual properties and statutory filings.

Team Leadership

· Motivate and inspire team member(s) and colleagues; foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative work environment in which team members can perform and develop to the best of their abilities.

· Establish performance goals and objectives for team members, conduct regular performance evaluations, and provide constructive feedback to support their professional growth and development.

· Uphold ethical standards and promote compliance with organizational policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements among team members.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

· Master’s degree in Law in an relevant jurisdiction.

EXPERIENCE

· Minimum of 8 year experience as a qualified Real Estate lawyer of which at least 4 years at a blue chip law firm with ideally pan-European experience.

· Preferably a background in European Real Estate investment and divestment alongside generalist operational experience.

· Experience in working with large institutional investors such as REPE, insurance/pension fund clients.

· Preferably tenancy law experience in more than one EU country.

· Comfortable with complex structuring of multi-jurisdictional investments as well as the more day to day requirements of an operational business.

· Hands-on Project Management approach supported as appropriate by experienced external counsel.

· Strong skills in drafting and reviewing development, lease and other commercial agreements.

· Excellent spoken and written (business) English skills. Dutch, German, Spanish, French or Italian language skills are a nice extra.

KEY PERSONAL SKILLS & TRAITS

· Project Management: The ability to effectively manage legal projects from conception to completion. The capable of managing multiple legal projects simultaneously, ensuring they stay on track, meet deadlines, and achieve desired outcomes.

· Leadership and Collaboration: The skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams, manage legal professionals in various jurisdictions, and build positive working relationships internally and externally.

· Communication & negotiation skills: Excellent communication skills to effectively convey complex legal concepts and provide accurate and timely legal counsel to executives and colleagues, as well as negotiate and communicate effectively with external parties, regulators, external counsel, and public authorities to build trust and maintain relationships.

· Problem-Solving Skills: The ability to analyze legal issues, identify viable solutions, and make informed decisions that protect the company's interests while minimizing risk.

· Attention to Detail: Meticulous attention to detail when drafting contracts, reviewing legal documents, and conducting due diligence to ensure accuracy and completeness.

· Adaptability and Resilience: The capacity to adapt to changing legal landscapes, handle high-pressure situations, and remain resilient in the face of legal challenges or disputes.