Senior Associate International Construction Contracts sector focused law firm

Steve Skills | Niche Recruitment Agency; Antwerpen; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Unknown Belgian law firm is seeking a Senior Associate to join its Antwerp Construction practice, focusing on contract drafting, negotiation and project follow-up for international industrial projects.

You will work with FIDIC and NEC contracts, advise throughout project lifecycles, and take increasing responsibility within the first year while mentoring junior lawyers.

Qualifications

• Belgian Master of Laws with 5 to 8 years of relevant professional experience in construction law.
• Strong experience with international and industrial construction contracts.
• Thorough and practical knowledge of both FIDIC and NEC contracts.
• Excellent command of Dutch and English; knowledge of French is an asset.
• Strong contractual drafting and negotiation skills.
• Pragmatic and commercially minded, with the confidence to take a clear and assertive position when required.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate construction contracts for international and industrial projects.
• Advise on and work with FIDIC and NEC contracts as part of complex construction projects.
• Follow projects throughout their lifecycle, from the pre-construction phase through execution and completion.
• Provide day-to-day legal advice to clients on contractual, construction and project-related matters.
• Identify contractual risks and translate complex legal issues into practical and commercially workable solutions.
• Independently manage increasingly complex files, with the expectation of taking ownership of your own matters within the first year.
• Work closely with the partner and junior lawyers and provide guidance and support to less experienced colleagues.
• Contribute to the knowledge and development of the Construction practice through seminars, legal publications or presentations where appropriate.
• Occasionally travel abroad for conferences and professional events, with international exposure across European markets.

Skills

Dutch language

English language

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Client relationship development

Education

Master of Laws (Belgian)

Tools

FIDIC contracts

NEC contracts

Job description

Wanted: Senior Associate International Construction Contracts sector focused law firm

The opportunity in a nutshell

• Join a specialised Construction practice in Antwerp, advising on complex international and industrial construction projects.
• Focus almost exclusively on contract drafting, negotiation and project follow-up rather than litigation.
• 5 to 8 years of experience in construction law, with solid knowledge of both FIDIC and NEC contracts.
• Take on increasing responsibility within a close-knit team, with the expectation of managing files independently within your first year.

Your function

Our client is an established Belgian law firm with a strong reputation in specialised legal services, combining in-depth expertise with a practical and solution-oriented approach. The Construction practice advises clients throughout the lifecycle of complex national and international construction projects, with a strong focus on contractual matters.

As a Senior Associate, you will join a team of around six professionals and work closely with the partner and junior lawyers. This is a predominantly advisory role: approximately 99% of your work will focus on contract drafting, negotiation and project follow-up, giving you the opportunity to develop a strong position as a trusted legal adviser to clients.

• Draft, review and negotiate construction contracts for international and industrial projects.
• Advise on and work with FIDIC and NEC contracts as part of complex construction projects.
• Follow projects throughout their lifecycle, from the pre-construction phase through execution and completion.
• Provide day-to-day legal advice to clients on contractual, construction and project-related matters.
• Identify contractual risks and translate complex legal issues into practical and commercially workable solutions.
• Independently manage increasingly complex files, with the expectation of taking ownership of your own matters within the first year.
• Work closely with the partner and junior lawyers and provide guidance and support to less experienced colleagues.
• Contribute to the knowledge and development of the Construction practice through seminars, legal publications or presentations where appropriate.
• Occasionally travel abroad for conferences and professional events, with international exposure across European markets.

Your profile

• Belgian Master of Laws with 5 to 8 years of relevant professional experience in construction law.
• Strong experience with international and industrial construction contracts.
• Thorough and practical knowledge of both FIDIC and NEC contracts.
• Excellent command of Dutch and English; knowledge of French is an asset.
• Strong contractual drafting and negotiation skills.
• Pragmatic and commercially minded, with the confidence to take a clear and assertive position when required.
• Able to manage complex matters independently and take responsibility for client files.
• Natural team player who enjoys guiding and mentoring junior lawyers.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and a natural instinct for developing strong client relationships and identifying opportunities.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where autonomy, initiative and quality are expected.

What's in it for you

This role offers the opportunity to become a key member of a specialised Construction practice at a point where your experience can have a real impact. You will work on sophisticated international and industrial projects while taking substantial responsibility for your own matters and helping to guide junior colleagues. The role is predominantly advisory and contractual, allowing you to focus on the areas where your construction expertise can create the most value. International exposure, knowledge-sharing and professional development further contribute to a varied and challenging practice.

About our client

Our client is an established Belgian law firm with offices in Antwerp and Brussels, combining broad legal capabilities with strong specialist expertise. The firm is known for providing practical and solution-oriented legal assistance tailored to the specific needs of its clients.

The Construction practice is a close-knit team working on sophisticated projects for clients operating in an international and industrial environment. The Antwerp office forms the heart of the team, with collaboration, knowledge-sharing and the development of junior lawyers playing an important role in the practice.