Group Legal Counsel

ABOUT THE JOB AND ABOUT THE TEAM:

We are seeking a Senior Group Legal Counsel to handle all direct and indirect legal matters of the Vlisco Group. Ensuring that statutory regulations are properly applied and observed.

In addition, you are responsible for identifying and responding to changes in legislation, and proactively advising the Vlisco Group on the (potential) impact on its business, including any necessary measures or solutions. You ensure that you oversee all compliance reporting of the Vlisco Group – which is Private equity held - and assist were applicable and necessary.

In this role you will report directly to the CEO and be an essential part of the Management Team. At the moment there is one direct report in the Netherlands and one additional functional report within our African Subsidiaries.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:

Intellectual property/brand protection

• Implementing legal procedures and advising on the use and protection of the company's intellectual property rights;
• Coordinating the approval, registration, and protection of trademarks and designs to ensure cost-effective intellectual property management;
• Developing and following up on the global Vlisco Brand protection strategy;
• Drafting and managing legal agreements and international contracts related to intellectual and industrial property, including licensing, software development, distribution, and collaboration agreements;
• Combating counterfeit/imitation products and the improper use of brand names by undertaking legal procedures.

Company secretary

• Ensure efficient company administration by guaranteeing compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, and implementing board decisions. Serve as company secretary for both the Supervisory and Executive Boards;
• Oversee governance structures, corporate conduct, board, shareholder, and trustee meetings. Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and listing requirements, liaise with external bodies, manage employee benefits, contracts, risk, and property administration;
• Act as the primary advisor on business conduct, offering legal advice on conflicts of interest, financial reports, and supporting strategy and corporate planning.

Strategy and policy

• Formulate and implement the corporate legal framework, strategy, and annual legal plans;
• Develop and professionalize all legal activities within the Vlisco Group;
• Translate strategic business principles into actionable annual plans and projects to achieve business objectives;
• Assessing and limiting risks to the company on the basis of which well-considered decisions will be made by the Executive boards;
• Helping to shape the long-term vision and business strategy of the Vlisco Group;
• Initiating, maintaining and challenging the companies risk register and preparing decisions / actions to be taken by the Executive Board;
• Analyzing long-term needs, identifying key success factors, and determining necessary changes.

Serving the legal interests of the business

• Serving the legal interests of the Vlisco Group, based on the policy guidelines of the Executive Board;
• Establishment, acquisition, liquidation, and legal administration of companies and their parts;
• The procedures for the appointment and discharge of the executive boards of these companies;
• Negotiating and effectuating agreements, amending and/or evaluating contracts;
• Mediation in conflict situations with third parties, effectuation of legal settlements, etc.;
• (Mandatory) publication of company figures, for example, for the purposes of debenture loans, emissions, trade registers and the legal validation of their contents;
• Developing structures and procedures for consultation, accountability, and legal frameworks within and between companies;
• The delegation of procuration, power of attorney and other forms of (external) signatory powers to employees and possible other third parties who may be bound in this sense to the concern.

Drafting legal documents

• Acquiring essential information, analyzing and identifying the consequences/conclusions/agreements ensuing from the aforementioned activities with respect to contracts, procedures, articles of association, legal correspondence, etc. Participation in negotiations and negotiating on behalf of the concern with respect to these activities;
• Collecting, managing and filing all legally relevant company documents for administrative purposes;
• Supervising the correct implementation of procedures contained in these documents and/or those prescribed by law;
• Reviewing the current legal status of the company and its parts to see if formal rules, guidelines, procedures, contracts, and statutes align with the actual situation.

Stakeholder management

• Play a supportive role in all aspects related to contract management and HR matters.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

• Academic qualifications / Master’s degree in Law;
• Knowledge of contract and intellectual property law;
• > 10 years’ relevant work experience, preferably in an international environment:
• You are fluent in English and Dutch. Proficiency in French is an advantage;
• Ability to manage various stakeholders, both internal and external;
• You have a hands-on mentality and the right mindset;
• Good project management skills;
• A team player with good communication and leadership skills;
• Willing to further develop broadly with a natural curious mindset.

IN RETURN WE OFFER YOU:

You can find the benefits of Vlisco on the page ‘’HOME’’