General Secretary/Chief of Staff

Michael Page; Vlaams-Brabant; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Michael Page and Our client, a Belgian market leader, seek a Secretary General/Chief of Staff with a law background and strong operational mindset. You will report to the CEO and ensure compliant, efficient, and structured company operations while balancing strategic oversight with day-to-day execution.

You will bridge governance, legal, HR, finance, and external stakeholder activities, coordinating cross-functional priorities in a 20-person SME.

Qualifications

• Holds a Master's degree in Law.
• Has approximately 5 years of professional experience, ideally as a lawyer, in-house counsel, legal advisor, or similar.
• Possesses a strong legal foundation with interest in governance, compliance, and corporate organization.
• Combines analytical rigor with a pragmatic, solution-oriented mindset.
• Enjoys alternating between strategic thinking and operational execution.
• Is highly organized, detail-oriented, proactive, and capable of delivering high-quality work.

Responsibilities

• Governance, Legal & Compliance: Ensure compliance with regulations, internal policies, and corporate obligations; assess legal and operational risks; maintain a pragmatic, business-oriented approach to legal matters.
• Operational Coordination & Business Support: Organize internal meetings, monitor action plans, and drive accountability; assist CEO and management with strategic and operational priorities; facilitate cross-team communication.
• Process Improvement & Organizational Excellence: Bring structure and clarity to internal operations; review and improve processes, workflows, and internal controls; translate priorities into tangible actions.
• HR, Administration & Corporate Support: Support HR administration, onboarding processes, and internal policies; handle sensitive information discreetly; foster a positive and well-organized working environment.
• Finance & Corporate Administration: Oversee administrative invoicing, reporting and follow-up; coordinate with external accountants and financial advisors; ensure ongoing processes are managed.
• External Stakeholder Management: Coordinate relationships with external accountants, IT providers, insurers, and other professionals; align external support with business needs.

Skills

Governance

Compliance

Strategic thinking

Operational execution

Stakeholder management

Project coordination

Education

Master's degree in Law

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.

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, organizing 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.

Profiel

• Holds a Master's degree in Law.
• Has approximately 5 years of professional experience, ideally as a lawyer, in-house counsel, legal advisor, or in a similar role combining legal and business responsibilities.
• Possesses a strong legal foundation and an interest in governance, compliance, and corporate organization.
• Combines analytical rigor with a pragmatic, solution-oriented mindset.
• Enjoys alternating between strategic thinking and operational execution.
• Is highly organized, detail-oriented, and committed to delivering high-quality work.
• Is proactive and comfortable taking ownership without requiring constant supervision.
• Thrives in an SME environment where flexibility, initiative, and entrepreneurial spirit are essential.
• Understands that in a team of 20 people, everyone contributes beyond their title and is willing to step outside their comfort zone when needed.
• Is fluent in Dutch, and English. French is a plus.