Head of Legal

Marktplaats; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Marktplaats in Amsterdam seeks a senior lawyer to lead the Legal & Privacy function for the Benelux marketplaces. You will report to the CFO and partner with the Leadership Team to manage legal risk, governance and strategic decisions while aligning legal support with business priorities.

The role combines hands‑on leadership with advisory work on corporate matters, M&A, privacy, GDPR, and regulatory compliance, including EU platform rules.

Qualifications

• Dutch-qualified lawyer with 15+ years post-qualification experience.
• At least 5 years of people management experience.
• Expertise in corporate advisory, governance and complex restructurings.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and communication skills in Dutch and English.
• Experience with EU digital regulation (DSA, DMA) and data protection is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Legal & Privacy function across the Netherlands and Belgium.
• Own corporate matters: governance, boards, restructurings, commercial agreements.
• Oversee EU regulation, GDPR, compliance, anti-bribery, sanctions and risk.
• Partner with HR on works council matters and transformation initiatives.
• Advise on AI-driven products and governance frameworks.
• Lead the team, manage workload, priorities and budget.

Skills

Corporate law

M&A

Governance

Contract negotiations

Compliance

Privacy law

Employment law

Strategic advisory

Stakeholder management

Dutch & English fluency

Job description

About Marktplaats

Marktplaats is one of the Netherlands' leading online marketplaces, helping make commerce more sustainable by giving products an extended life. With over 2.1 million buyers and sellers visiting our platform every day, around 350,000 new listings added daily and users spending an average of 22 minutes per visit, we're building a platform that people use and trust. Every connection we enable helps people save money, earn money and reduce waste. As part of Adevinta, one of Europe's leading online classifieds groups, we're building products that make buying and selling second-hand products simpler, safer and better for everyone.

About Marktplaats

Marktplaats is one of the Netherlands' leading online marketplaces, helping make commerce more sustainable by giving products an extended life. With over 2.1 million buyers and sellers visiting our platform every day, around 350,000 new listings added daily and users spending an average of 22 minutes per visit, we're building a platform that people use and trust. Every connection we enable helps people save money, earn money and reduce waste. As part of Adevinta, one of Europe's leading online classifieds groups, we're building products that make buying and selling second-hand products simpler, safer and better for everyone.

This role sits within our Legal & Privacy function in our Amsterdam office, home to over 300 talented professionals, where cross-functional teams design, develop and scale the products that millions of users rely on every day across our Benelux marketplaces, Marktplaats and 2dehands/2ememain.

You will lead our Legal & Privacy team, reporting to the CFO. You will work closely with the Leadership Team and business stakeholders to manage legal risks, support commercial decisions and ensure strong governance across our Benelux marketplaces. This is a hands‑on leadership role where you will combine strategic advice with day‑to‑day legal matters, while improving how the legal function operates and supports the business.

What You Will Do

• Lead the Legal & Privacy function across the Netherlands and Belgium, setting priorities, managing the team and providing clear, practical legal advice to the CEO, CFO, Leadership Team and business stakeholders.
• Own corporate legal matters, including corporate governance, board and shareholder matters, restructurings and commercial agreements, while supporting M&A, due diligence, financing transactions and potential future exit preparation.
• Oversee legal, privacy and compliance matters across our marketplaces, including EU platform regulation (DSA, DMA, P2B), consumer protection, GDPR and ethical compliance, covering areas such as anti‑bribery, sanctions, conflicts of interest and compliance risk management.
• Partner with HR and business leadership on organizational changes, including Dutch Works Council matters, negotiations and legal support for transformation initiatives.
• Advise on legal aspects of AI‑driven products and business models, develop appropriate governance frameworks and improve legal processes through technology, AI and automation.
• Lead and develop the Legal & Privacy team, managing workload, priorities and performance, while owning the legal budget and external counsel relationships to ensure quality, efficiency and cost control.

The challenge

Building a legal function that keeps pace with a fast‑moving business, balancing regulatory requirements and legal risks with commercial priorities. Strengthening governance, simplifying processes and making better use of technology and external expertise, while supporting business transformation and delivering high‑quality legal advice with a lean team.

Who You Are

• A Dutch‑qualified lawyer with 15+ years of post‑qualification experience, with a strong background in corporate law, ideally gained in both top‑tier private practice and in‑house roles.
• At least 5 years of people management experience, with a proven ability to set clear direction, develop talent and build a high‑performing team, fostering ownership, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Strong expertise in corporate advisory, governance, M&A, complex restructurings and commercial contracts, with broad knowledge of compliance, privacy, employment law and regulatory matters.
• Commercially minded and pragmatic, with strong legal judgement and an entrepreneurial mindset, balancing legal risks with business opportunities and turning complex matters into clear, actionable advice.
• Confident and credible partner to senior leadership and shareholders, with the ability to influence decisions, challenge constructively and build strong relationships across the business.
• Proactive and ownership‑driven, able to anticipate challenges, take responsibility and deliver high‑quality results while managing competing priorities in a fast‑paced, changing environment.
• Hands‑on and collaborative, with strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, attention to detail and a forward‑looking mindset, including curiosity for technology, AI and evolving business models.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and communication skills, with fluency in Dutch and English.

Bonus Points

• Experience working in a private‑equity‑backed environment, digital marketplace or high‑growth technology company.
• Knowledge of EU digital platform regulation (DSA, DMA, P2B), GDPR and data protection law.
• Experience with ethical compliance frameworks (e.g. ISO 37301, IDW PS 980) and interacting with regulatory authorities.
• French language skills to support our Belgian operations.

This role is based out of our Amsterdam office. While we offer flexibility, we value in‑person collaboration and encourage our teams to spend regular time in the office.

Our DNA

Ownership: We take ownership, step in where needed and make things happen.

Engagement: We show up for each other, build meaningful connections, celebrate success and enjoy the ride together.

Customer Focus: We put our customers at the heart of our decisions, back our ideas with data and deliver value that makes a difference.

Execution: We move with purpose, challenge ideas respectfully, act with confidence and deliver at pace.

Curiosity: We ask questions, challenge the status quo, embrace learning and turn insights into better decisions.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Marktplaats is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status.