Global Manager Legal

Enza Zaden; Enkhuizen; On-site; EUR 87,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car

Laptop and mobile phone

Overnight accommodation support

Annual bonus (15%)

Job summary

Enza Zaden is seeking a Global Manager Legal to develop and execute the company's global legal strategy, work with senior leadership, and manage risk across regions. You will lead a four-person legal team, optimize contracts, and advise on complex matters while ensuring strong commercial positioning.

You will represent Enza Zaden in external networks and collaborate with Corporate & Compliance, IP and Variety Protection.

Qualifications

• University degree in Dutch Law (LL.M., Civil Law).
• 12–15 years of international legal experience.
• Extensive knowledge of international commercial contracting, commercial law, and risk management.
• Strong business acumen to translate legal risks into business opportunities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management across cultures.
• Willingness to travel internationally.

Responsibilities

• Leading, coaching, and developing a legal team (4 FTE).
• Developing, implementing, and executing the global legal strategy and annual plans.
• Optimizing contract management across the organization.
• Identifying, managing, and mitigating legal risks globally, regionally, and locally.
• Participating in the Legal Management Team and collaborating with Corporate & Compliance, IP and Variety Protection and Registration.
• Hands-on leadership leading complex and strategically important matters.
• Advising senior leadership and the Board on legal and commercial issues.
• Representing Enza Zaden in external legal networks and industry groups.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Contract management

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Cross-cultural communication

Education

Master of Laws (Civil Law) – Dutch Law

Job description

Global Manager Legal

A strong legal organization enables the business to move forward with confidence, works closely with stakeholders, identifies opportunities and risks early, and provide timely guidance.

As Global Manager Legal, you will play a key role in developing and executing Enza Zaden’s global legal strategy. You will have the opportunity to further professionalize and future‑proof the Legal Team. In doing so, you will contribute to sustainable business growth, strong commercial positioning, and effective legal risk management across the company.

Make a difference as Global Manager Legal

As Global Manager Legal, you will be responsible for developing an effective legal strategy, optimizing contract management, and mitigating legal risks. In this role, you will work closely with the General Counsel, Board of Directors, international management teams, the Legal Department, your Legal Team and external legal advisors. You will be involved in complex international contracts, claims and litigation, compliance challenges, and strategic organizational issues.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading, coaching, and developing a team of legal professionals (4 FTE);
• Developing, implementing, and executing the global legal strategy and annual plans.
• Optimizing commercial contracts, contract processes, and contract management throughout the organization;
• Identifying, managing, and mitigating legal risks at global, regional, and local levels;
• Participating in the Legal Management Team in which you collaborate with the other teams of the Legal Department; Corporate & Compliance, IP and Variety Protection and Registration;
• This is a hands on leadership role where, alongside managing the legal team, you will personally lead and execute work on the most complex and strategically important legal matters;
• Advising senior leadership, management teams, and the Board of Directors on legal and commercial matters;
• Representing Enza Zaden in external legal networks, industry associations, and working groups.

What you bring as our future colleague

As Global Manager Legal, you combine strategic insight, leadership, and strong influencing skills. You can translate complex legal issues into practical and commercially sound solutions and can effectively engage stakeholders at all levels with your advice and vision. Building strong relationships comes naturally to you, and you know how to connect people and teams to achieve shared objectives.

In addition, you have:

• A completed university degree in Dutch Law (Master of Laws, Civil Law);
• At least 12 to 15 years of relevant experience in an international legal environment;
• Extensive knowledge of international commercial contracting, commercial law, and risk management;
• Strong business acumen, capable of navigating and prioritizing legal risks while identifying practical solutions that support and accelerate business opportunities;
• Strong leadership capabilities and experience in leading and developing teams;
• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills at senior management level and across cultures;
• Willingness to travel internationally and collaborate globally with colleagues and external partners.

Enza Zaden as your employer

Enza Zaden is an international family‑owned company that has been developing innovative vegetable varieties since 1938. Together with more than 3,300 colleagues worldwide, we work on vegetable seeds with better flavor, higher yields and strong resistances. We do this from our mission: “Breeding to feed the world.” Every day, more than 480 million people eat vegetables grown from our seeds, and that is something we are very proud of.

We are passionate about our work and care about one another. Good ideas are given room to grow and together we keep moving forward. This is how we continue to grow and innovate, both as a company and as colleagues.

What you can expect from us

We believe it is important that you can grow in your work and feel good about what you do. That is why we invest in your development, well-being, and job satisfaction. Through our Great to Grow development program, our focus on vitality, and activities that bring colleagues together, we create a work environment where you can keep learning and contribute with energy and enjoyment.

You can also count on:

• A position for 38 hours per week;
• A gross monthly salary between € 7,774.05 and € 11,105.78, based on a full‑time workweek of 38 hours and aligned with your knowledge and experience;
• 8.33% vacation allowance and an attractive annual bonus program of 15% of your annual salary, depending on your job level and company performance;
• 25 vacation days, the option to purchase additional vacation days, and one paid vitality day per year, with extra vacation days granted as you get older;
• A laptop and mobile phone provided by Enza Zaden;
• A company car;
• A contribution toward overnight accommodation costs if you live farther away from Enza Zaden. This program applies to employees working for Enza Zaden in the Netherlands whose one‑way commute exceeds 100 kilometers and 75 minutes;
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth through our Great to Grow development program, training courses, workshops, and e‑learning platform;
• Plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues outside of your daily work through social events organized by the Staff Association, as well as Young Enza networking events, inspiration sessions, and social gatherings. We also host an annual summer barbecue, Christmas market and New Year’s reception;
• A strong focus on your health and well‑being, including free fresh fruit, healthy lunch options at the office, a bike‑to‑work program, sports activities through enzActive, and mental well‑being support through OpenUp.

Let’s connect

An assessment is part of the application process. This role cannot be filled on an interim basis.

Do you have questions about the role or the application process? Please feel free to contact Sandra Hoeneveld, [e-mail]

Enza Zaden is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on background, identity, or personal characteristics.

Want to learn more about Enza Zaden? Visit our website.