Commercial Legal Counsel (EMEA) - 3-4 Month Assignment (GVA)

Michael Page; Genf; On-site; CHF 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Michael Page (Switzerland) is seeking an interim Commercial Legal Counsel to support the business across the EMEA region for an initial 3–4 month period. You will draft, review and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements while advising on contract risks.

You will collaborate with procurement, IT, marketing and operations, ensuring compliance with European regulatory requirements and multi-jurisdictional issues.

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer with 3–5 years of post-qualification experience in commercial contracts.
• Experience supporting multi-jurisdictional operations in Europe/EMEA.
• Fluency in French and English required.
• Available immediately or on short notice.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements.
• Provide risk-based legal guidance to internal stakeholders.
• Support B2B/B2C commercial, procurement, IT, marketing, and operations.
• Ensure compliance with European consumer laws and cross-border requirements.

Skills

Commercial contracts

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Drafting

French language

English language

Education

Law degree

Job description

• Commercial Legal Counsel with 3-5+ PQE in contracts and EMEA legal matters.
• Lead contract negotiations across Europe.

About Our Client

Our client is a well-established international company operating across the EMEA region through a combination of direct-to-consumer and business-to-business channels.

The organisation markets and distributes its products through physical retail networks, e-commerce platforms, distributors, wholesalers and various commercial partners. With operations spanning multiple jurisdictions, the legal team provides pragmatic and business-oriented support across a broad range of contractual, commercial and regulatory matters.

To support the legal department during a period of increased activity, our client is looking to appoint an experienced Legal Counsel on an interim basis for approximately 3 to 4 months.

Job Description

Reporting to the Legal Director, you will provide day-to-day legal support on a broad range of commercial and contractual matters across the EMEA region.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating a wide variety of commercial agreements.
• Advising internal stakeholders on contract-related risks and legal issues.
• Supporting commercial, procurement, IT, digital, marketing and operational teams on legal matters.
• Reviewing and negotiating distribution, reseller, agency and other channel partner agreements.
• Drafting and negotiating service agreements covering areas such as marketing, digital services, consulting, logistics, technology and software.
• Reviewing supplier, purchasing and procurement contracts.
• Supporting legal matters relating to both B2B and B2C activities.
• Advising on consumer law matters in relation to retail and e-commerce activities across Europe.
• Ensuring contractual documentation complies with applicable European legal and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinating with various internal and external stakeholders across multiple jurisdictions.
• Contributing to the management of legal templates and contract processes.

The Successful Applicant

• Law degree from a recognised university.
• Qualified lawyer or in-house legal counsel with at least 3 to 5 years of relevant post-qualification experience.
• Strong background in commercial contracts and general business law.
• Proven experience supporting multi-jurisdictional operations within Europe or the broader EMEA region.
• Experience drafting and negotiating a wide range of commercial agreements independently.
• Exposure to consumer law and retail/e-commerce environments would be highly advantageous.
• Experience supporting both B2B and B2C business models is preferred.
• Ability to balance legal risks with commercial realities and provide pragmatic business-focused advice.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Fluent French and English are essential.
• French at native or near-native level (C2 preferred).
• English at professional working proficiency level (minimum C1).
• Immediately available or available at short notice.

What's on Offer

• 3 to 4-month temporary assignment with immediate impact.
• Opportunity to join an international organisation operating across numerous EMEA markets.
• Broad exposure to commercial, contractual, consumer law and cross-border legal matters.
• Dynamic and collaborative legal environment.
• High level of interaction with senior business stakeholders.
• International working environment.
• Possibility of extension depending on business needs.