General Secretary/Chief of Staff

Jobat; Leuven; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Our client, a Belgian market leader, seeks a Secretary General/Chief of Staff with a solid legal background and strong operational mindset to partner with the CEO and management team. The role blends strategic governance with hands-on execution across cross‑functional areas.

You will review contracts, oversee compliance, and advise on governance issues while coordinating internal projects and liaising with external partners. A helicopter view with hands-on pragmatism is essential.

Qualifications

• Background as a lawyer, in-house counsel, or legal professional with an operational mindset.
• Ability to move between strategic topics and day‑to‑day execution.
• Experience ensuring regulatory and corporate compliance is essential.

Responsibilities

• Governance, Legal & Compliance: ensure compliance with regulations, internal policies and corporate obligations.
• Operational Coordination & Business Support: organize meetings, monitor action plans and drive accountability.
• Process Improvement & Organizational Excellence: bring structure and clarity to internal operations and controls.
• HR, Administration & Corporate Support: assist HR administration and handle sensitive information discretely.
• Finance & Corporate Administration: oversee invoicing, reporting and coordination with accountants.
• External Stakeholder Management: coordinate relationships with accountants, IT providers, insurers and partners.

Skills

Governance

Legal

Compliance

Operations

Job description

Our client is the Belgian market leader in its sector, with a strong ambition to accelerate its international expansion.

While recognized as a leading player in its industry, the company has maintained the agility, entrepreneurial spirit, and close-knit culture of an SME. With a team of approximately 20 professionals, success relies on individuals who combine ownership, initiative, and a willingness to contribute beyond the boundaries of a traditional job description.

To support its continued growth and strengthen its internal organization, the company is looking for a Secretary General/Chief of Staff with a solid legal background and a strong operational mindset.

Jobomschrijving

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Secretary General acts as a trusted partner to the management team, ensuring that the company operates efficiently, compliantly, and in a structured manner.

The role is ideally suited for someone with a background as a lawyer, in‑house counsel, or legal professional, who enjoys combining legal rigor with operational involvement. You will be expected to move seamlessly between strategic, cross‑functional topics and day‑to‑day execution.

One hour you may be reviewing an important contractual matter, overseeing compliance obligations, or advising management on governance issues; the next, you may be coordinating an internal project, improving a process, organising follow‑up on key decisions, or liaising with external partners.

We are looking for an individual who combines a helicopter view with a hands‑on mentality, who is equally comfortable thinking strategically and executing pragmatically.

Key Responsibilities

Governance, Legal & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations, internal policies, and corporate obligations.
• Support management in assessing legal and operational risks.
• Maintain a pragmatic and business‑oriented approach to legal matters.

Operational Coordination & Business Support

• Organize internal meetings, monitor action plans, and drive accountability.
• Assist the CEO and management team with strategic and operational priorities.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration across teams and external stakeholders.

Process Improvement & Organizational Excellence

• Bring structure, clarity, and consistency to internal operations.
• Review and improve processes, workflows, and internal controls.
• Ensure that priorities are translated into tangible actions and results.

HR, Administration & Corporate Support

• Support HR administration, onboarding processes, and internal policies.
• Handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Contribute to a positive, efficient, and well‑organized working environment.

Finance & Corporate Administration

• Oversee administrative aspects of invoicing, reporting, and operational follow‑up.
• Coordinate with external accountants and financial advisors.
• Ensure that recurring administrative and financial processes are properly managed and monitored.

External Stakeholder Management

• Coordinate relationships with external accountants, IT providers, insurers, and other professional partners.
• Ensure that external support functions are properly managed and aligned with business needs.