Legal Manager at Axians Belgium

Axians Belgium; Merelbeke; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meal vouchers

Company car

Flexible benefits

Training programs

Premiums

Job summary

Axians Belgium in Merelbeke, Belgium seeks a Legal Manager to lead its in-house legal function. The candidate will drive strategic governance, risk management, and complex contract negotiations within a fast-paced technology and consultancy environment.

The role requires a Master in Law with corporate law specialization and at least five years of relevant experience, including public procurement. Fluency in Dutch, French, and English is essential.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Law with specialization in corporate law, or equivalent experience.
• At least 5 years of relevant corporate legal experience.
• Strong expertise in contract law, corporate law, and public procurement.
• Knowledge of compliance, risk management, dispute management, and corporate housekeeping.
• Fluency in Dutch, French, and English.

Responsibilities

• Lead the legal function with strategic governance and risk management.
• Oversee contract negotiations, vendor agreements, and multi-party delivery contracts.
• Collaborate with management, procurement, sales, and delivery teams.
• Ensure data privacy compliance and regulatory adherence within the VINCI Energies ecosystem.
• Provide strategic business partner support in the IT consultancy context.

Skills

Negotiation

Contract Mgmt

Corporate law

Data privacy

Compliance

Public procurement

Education

Master in Law

Job description

This opportunity was posted more than 30 days ago and no application deadline was provided. You can explore active listings below.

Legal Manager at Axians Belgium

A

Organising Institution / Firm

Axians Belgium

Not Specified by Organiser

Not Specified

Master's degree in Law with specialization in corporate law or equivalent experience; at least 5 years of relevant experience in a corporate legal or law firm environment; strong expertise in contract law, corporate law, and public procurement; knowledge of compliance, risk management, dispute management, and corporate housekeeping; interest in purchasing; excellent communication skills with a pragmatic, solution-oriented mindset; fluency in Dutch, French, and English.

Job

Full Opportunity Brief

For legal professionals with a passion for the fast-paced world of technology and consultancy, a new and compelling career opportunity has emerged at the crossroads of law, business, and digital innovation. Axians Belgium, a key player in the IT and telecommunications sector and part of the powerhouse VINCI Energies group, is actively seeking a highly skilled Legal Manager to join its team in Merelbeke, Flemish Region, Belgium. This is not merely another in-house counsel posting; it is a strategic leadership role that places the successful candidate at the heart of commercial negotiations, corporate governance, data privacy, and compliance within one of Europe's most dynamic technology ecosystems. For those eyeing a meaningful step up in their legal career, the Axians Legal Manager vacancy offers a rare combination of strategic influence, operational diversity, and the backing of a multinational infrastructure giant.

Why This In-House Legal Manager Vacancy Demands Attention

In an era where digital transformation is rewriting the rules of every industry, the role of the legal department has shifted from a purely protective function to a strategic business partner. Axians Belgium, as a specialist in ICT solutions and digital infrastructure, operates in an environment where innovation, digitalization, and customer centricity are not just buzzwords but the core drivers of every project. For a Legal Manager, this means navigating complex vendor agreements, multi-party delivery contracts, data protection intricacies, and public procurement rules on a daily basis. The position is designed for a legal professional who is not satisfied with simply drafting clauses but who wants to influence the strategic direction of a company. The legal team at Axians is embedded with the directive, procurement, sales, and delivery teams, making this role ideal for someone who thrives in a collaborative, high-stakes business environment.

The very nature of the company's parent group, VINCI Energies, adds another layer of prestige and challenge. VINCI Energies is a global leader in energy and communication infrastructure solutions, operating in over 50 countries with a decentralized business model that empowers local entities like Axians Belgium. For a Legal Manager, this means the opportunity to interact with a wide ecosystem of colleagues, legal counterparts, and business leaders across different countries and cultures, all while being anchored in the picturesque town of Merelbeke. The role is not just about applying legal knowledge; it is about becoming a trusted advisor who can translate legal complexities into business-relevant solutions, ensuring the organization remains compliant, secure, and contractually strong in a fiercely competitive digital market.

Decoding the Axians Legal Manager Profile

Based on the detailed job posting, the responsibilities of the Legal Manager at Axians Belgium are multifaceted and carry a strong managerial component. Beyond being the guardian of legal policy, the role includes leading the legal team, which signals a position of leadership and mentorship. The successful candidate will be the go-to person for all legal risk assessments, corporate housekeeping, and governance questions. The job description specifically highlights the need to work closely with directie (management), procurement, sales, delivery teams, and external partners, making it a highly cross-functional and collaborative role.

This translated excerpt from the job posting confirms that the ideal candidate must be a commercial lawyer at heart, comfortable with negotiations and proactive risk management. The role demands a pragmatic, solution-oriented mindset, which is a recurring theme in high-performing in-house legal teams. In addition, the responsibilities extend to compliance, risk management, dispute management, and even an interest in purchasing—an often-overlooked area that is vital when drafting and negotiating procurement agreements. The diversity of responsibilities ensures that no two days will be the same, offering continuous intellectual stimulation and professional growth.

What Axians Is Looking For: The Five Pillar Eligibility Checklist

• Academic Foundation: A Master's degree in Law (Master in de Rechten) with a specialization in corporate law, or an equivalent level of expertise gained through experience. This reflects the need for a deep theoretical grounding in legal principles, especially in the corporate and commercial domains.
• Professional Experience: A minimum of five years of relevant experience in a corporate legal department or as a lawyer in a reputable law firm. This ensures that the candidate has already navigated complex legal scenarios and developed a sound professional judgment.
• Technical Expertise: Strong knowledge of contract law, corporate law, and public procurement rules. These are the technical cornerstones of the role, essential for structuring deals and mitigating legal risks in a public-private project environment.
• Risk and Compliance Acumen: Proficiency in compliance, risk management, dispute management, and corporate housekeeping. The Legal Manager is expected to be the internal authority on these matters, ensuring the company operates within legal boundaries and maintains robust governance practices.
• Languages and Soft Skills: Fluency in Dutch, French, and English, coupled with excellent communication skills and a pragmatic, solution-oriented mindset. These are critical for interacting with a multilingual workforce, external partners, and international stakeholders, while also fostering a collaborative internal culture.

Significantly, the posting also mentions an 'interest in aankoop' (purchasing). This is not a core responsibility but indicates that the Legal Manager will support procurement operations and must be willing to develop an understanding of supply chain dynamics. This holistic approach to legal management reflects the evolving nature of in-house roles, where legal professionals are expected to understand the entire business lifecycle.

Career Trajectory: From Legal Manager to Strategic Legal Leadership

The Axians Legal Manager role is not a terminal destination; it is a launching pad. The company explicitly promotes 'clear career paths with future perspective and growth opportunities.' For a legal professional, this could mean progressing to a senior Legal Counsel position, a European Legal Director role, or even transitioning into broader business leadership. The exposure to multiple legal domains (contracts, corporate, procurement, compliance) combined with a seat at the strategic table makes this a powerful curriculum for any aspiring General Counsel.

Working in Belgium's Flemish Region, a hub for technology companies, also provides enriching networking opportunities with peers in other multinational firms. Additionally, the VINCI Energies ecosystem offers cross-border projects and secondment possibilities, potentially opening doors to international career paths. The benefits package provided by Axians further underscores the company's commitment to employee wellbeing, including an attractive salary, meal vouchers, premiums, flexibility, company car, extra-legal benefits, and extensive training programs. The emphasis on knowledge sharing, sport, culture, and family activities indicates a work environment that values work-life balance—a crucial element for sustained long-term performance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the primary focus of the Axians Legal Manager role?

The primary focus is to lead the legal function in a strategic capacity, overseeing legal policy, managing legal risks, and providing support on complex legal matters in a commercial IT consultancy context. The role is heavily involved in contract negotiations, corporate governance, compliance, and collaboration with various business units, ensuring the organization operates in a compliant and contractually strong manner.

2. How much work experience is required to be considered for this job?

The job posting specifies a minimum of five years of relevant experience in a corporate legal environment or a law firm. Additionally, a Master's degree in Law with a specialization in corporate law, or equivalent experience, is required. This experience threshold ensures that candidates have the maturity and practical knowledge to handle complex legal issues independently.

3. Is fluency in all three languages—Dutch, French, and English—mandatory?

Yes, the job posting explicitly requires fluency in Dutch, French, and English. This is essential for the role due to Belgium's multilingual business environment and the need to communicate with international stakeholders within the VINCI Energies group. Candidates who do not meet this language requirement will likely be at a significant disadvantage.

4. What is the best way to increase my chances of being hired for this position?

Given that there is no specific deadline, the best approach is to apply as soon as possible. Tailor your CV to highlight commercial negotiation, contract management, and corporate law experience, and indicate your multilingual fluency. Beyond the formal application, engage with Laura Siau on LinkedIn with a concise, professional message that explains your interest. Also, explore any potential referrers within the Axians or VINCI Energies network, as referrals are known to increase your chances by 2x.