Paralegal

IBJ-IJE; Oost-Vlaanderen; On-site; EUR 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Flexible working hours

Possibility to work from home 2 days/week

International environment with growth opportunities

Job summary

IBJ-IJE in Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium is seeking a Group Paralegal to support corporate governance, legal documentation, and compliance functions within the legal team. Responsibilities include maintaining corporate records and assisting with corporate transactions.

The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor's degree in Law, is fluent in Dutch and English, and has strong organizational skills. The role offers a competitive salary, flexible working conditions, and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), SharePoint, and Teams.
• Fluency in Dutch and English, proficiency in French or other European languages is a plus.
• Prior relevant experience in an in‑house legal department or law firm is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Support corporate governance processes including annual shareholder meetings.
• Maintain corporate records and draft corporate documentation.
• Coordinate corporate due diligence requests and manage data rooms.

Skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Fluent in Dutch

Fluent in English

Excellent organisational skills

Familiarity with legal technology tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Law or equivalent

Tools

Document management systems

Contract management platforms

Data room tools

Job description

As Group Paralegal, you will be an essential member of Ontex’s Group Legal & Compliance Team in Aalst. You will provide comprehensive paralegal and legal administrative support across corporate governance, corporate transactions, compliance administration, and legal operations. You will report directly to the Group General Counsel.

• Co‑owning and managing key corporate governance processes, including the preparation and review of selected sections of our Integrated Annual Report, the preparation of the annual shareholders’ meeting of Ontex Group NV, and Board and shareholders’ meetings of group subsidiaries.
• Maintaining and keeping up to date all corporate records, including shareholder registers, corporate governance overviews, corporate officer appointments, and powers of attorney across the group, and drafting recurring corporate documentation such as board and general meeting minutes, resolutions, and other corporate filings.
• Supporting the legal team on corporate and financial transactions by coordinating corporate due diligence requests, managing data rooms, supporting transaction and project management (including action list follow‑up and closing mechanics), and liaising with external counsel, banks, notaries, and directors of group companies.
• Supporting contract management activities, including maintaining contract databases, tracking key contract dates and renewal deadlines, and conducting first‑line reviews of recurring agreements (including NDAs and standard commercial agreements) against internal standard positions and approved templates, leveraging legal AI tools to enhance efficiency and consistency.
• Providing administrative and organisational support for the group‑wide compliance function, including assisting with the maintenance of compliance policies and procedures, supporting compliance monitoring and reporting activities, and coordinating key compliance processes such as the internal whistleblowing system and the third‑party screening tool.
• Supporting legal operations initiatives, including the implementation and management of legal technology tools (e.g., contract management systems, data room platforms, AI tools), management of external counsel billing and matter tracking, and contributing to the continuous optimisation of legal and compliance processes and workflows.
• Providing ad hoc legal and administrative support to the General Counsel and Legal & Compliance team members as required, including support on strategic projects, regulatory enquiries, and other matters as they arise.

Who are we looking for?

• A Bachelor’s degree in Law or Law Practice, or equivalent qualification.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), SharePoint, and Teams.
• Familiarity with legal technology tools (document management systems, contract management platforms, data room tools) and willingness to learn and adopt AI and other emerging legal technology tools.
• Fluent in Dutch and in English (written and verbal). Proficiency in French or other European languages is a plus.
• Prior relevant experience in an in‑house legal department or law firm is a strong plus.
• Prior experience with corporate governance processes (including organisation of board and general meetings) and/or supporting corporate or financial transactions (including due diligence, KYC processes, and closing mechanics) is a plus. Experience in a listed company environment is preferred.
• Excellent organisational skills with strong attention to detail and accuracy and a hands‑on, can‑do attitude with a pragmatic approach to problem‑solving.
• Unwavering commitment to ethical conduct and professional integrity, with the ability to handle highly confidential information discreetly. A genuine eagerness to learn and develop, both in terms of legal management and legal expertise.

What do we offer?

• A competitive salary package and benefits
• Flexible working hours and the possibility to work from home 2 days per week
• An international, listed environment with ample opportunities to grow
• A high degree of autonomy and exposure to stakeholders of all levels
• An environment where diversity, equity and inclusion are part of the company culture