Head of Legal

KOTUG International; Zuid-Holland; On-site; EUR 140,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

KOTUG International in Rotterdam seeks a Head of Legal / Senior Legal Counsel to lead the Legal Department and partner with the Executive Board on governance, risk, and strategic transactions. You will advise on corporate law, contracts, and compliance across international operations, while guiding a team to align legal strategy with business goals.

This role requires a Master in Dutch Law, 10–15 years of international experience, and fluency in Dutch and English.

Qualifications

• 10–15 years of international legal experience as attorney-at-law or in-house counsel.
• Extensive experience with international commercial contracts, corporate law, and commercial transactions.
• Experience with M&A, joint ventures, and corporate governance is highly desirable.
• Proven leadership ability to coach and develop a legal team.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and further develop the Legal Department.
• Advise the Executive Board, management team, and shareholders on governance, risk, and compliance.
• Lead complex contract negotiations with clients, suppliers, and financial partners.
• Provide legal support for mergers, acquisitions, divestments, and strategic transactions.
• Manage claims, disputes, and engagement with external counsel.
• Develop, implement, and monitor legal policies, procedures, and compliance programs.
• Support international business development and cross-border negotiations.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Contract negotiation

M&A experience

Stakeholder management

Dutch-English fluency

Education

Master degree in Dutch Law

Job description

Ready to take the lead on legal matters in an international maritime environment?

KOTUG International is looking for a Head of Legal / Senior Legal Counsel to join our Rotterdam office.

If you’re an experienced legal professional who enjoys being close to the business and involved where key decisions are made, this could be your next move.

About KOTUG International

KOTUG is a leading international towage and maritime company with roots dating back to 1911. Family-owned and headquartered in Rotterdam, we combine maritime heritage with an innovation-led, sustainable approach to delivering solutions for clients worldwide.

Purpose of the Job

Responsible for managing the Legal Department while handling complex legal and strategic, commercial matters in an international business environment. You will advise senior management on legal risks, corporate governance, strategic transactions, and contractual matters, ensuring that KOTUG's business objectives are supported by sound legal and commercial judgment.

Responsibilities

Health, Safety, Environment & Quality assurance (HSEQ):

• Keep actively up to date with HSEQ manual and procedures.
• Ensure safe and healthy execution of activities own department and contractors.
• In case of doubts or anything is unclear, speak up/communicate or ask for a time out.
• Ensure integration HSEQ philosophy and policy and corrective measures in policies and daily practice.

Legal

• Lead, manage, and further develop the Legal Department.
• Serve as a strategic legal advisor to the Executive Board, management team, and shareholders.
• Advise on corporate governance, corporate law matters, and compliance-related issues.
• Lead complex contract negotiations with clients, suppliers, joint venture partners, and financial institutions.
• Provide legal support for mergers and acquisitions, divestments, joint ventures, and other strategic transactions.
• Manage claims, disputes, litigation matters, and external legal counsel.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and commercial risks across the organization.
• Develop, implement, and monitor legal policies, procedures, and compliance programs.
• Support international business development and operational teams in commercial projects and negotiations.

Who are we looking for?

Qualifications:

• Master degree in Dutch Law (or equivalent legal qualification)
• Minimum of 10 to 15 years of relevant experience as an attorney-at-law and/or in-house counsel within an international environment.
• Extensive experience in international commercial contracts, corporate law, and commercial transactions.
• Experience with M&A transactions, joint ventures, and corporate governance is highly desirable.
• Proven leadership experience with the ability to lead, coach, and develop a legal team.

Excels at defining the strategic direction for one or more organisational units and translating that direction into an effective organization. Achieves results by providing direction in a socially complex environment, applying strategic insight, the necessary leadership skills and energy.

• HSEQ Awareness & Ownership Takes overall responsibility for integrating and embedding HSEQ principles into strategy, decision-making, and organisational culture.
• Communication Skills Communicates clearly and directionally on strategic matters and conveys complex messages effectively to diverse audiences.
• Stakeholder Management Builds and maintains strategic relationships and effectively aligns diverse stakeholder interests with organisational objectives.
• Strategic Develops and translates a long-term vision into concrete strategic choices and organization-wide initiatives.
• Leadership Provides inspiring leadership, sets direction and drives results while creating the conditions for an effective and agile organization.
• Risk Management Identifies and manages strategic risks and makes well-considered decisions to safeguard continuity and sustainable growth.
• Delegation & Empowerment Delegates responsibilities effectively and fosters ownership and decision-making at the appropriate levels within the organization.
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to translate legal risks into practical business solutions.
• Excellent command of both Dutch and English, spoken and written.
• Proactive, self-driven, and capable of operating as a trusted advisor at Board and shareholder level.