International legal counsel

Van Oord; Rotterdam; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel allowance

Home working allowance

32 holidays

Variable bonus

Pension scheme

Collective health insurance

Job summary

Van Oord is seeking a (Senior) Legal Counsel International Projects to advise tendering, operations, project, procurement and logistics teams on complex offshore construction contracts. You will draft, review and negotiate FIDIC and LOGIC forms, translate legal risk into practical commercial guidance, and support project delivery in a dynamic offshore environment.

You'll collaborate with global colleagues, navigate weather-related and regulatory challenges, and help manage claims and disputes to

Qualifications

• 4+ years of post-qualification construction law experience.
• UK or common law background preferred.
• Experience in the maritime/offshore energy or offshore construction sector.
• Experience with major contract forms used in offshore construction (FIDIC & LOGIC).
• Strong commercial awareness; decisive and solution-oriented.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate offshore construction contracts including FIDIC/LOGIC.
• Advise on contractual risk allocation, weather exposure, delays and complex maritime operations.
• Support tendering, project, operations, procurement and logistics teams with practical legal guidance.
• Manage claims and disputes to protect Van Oord's commercial interests.

Skills

Construction law

Offshore experience

Contracting & negotiating

Commercial mindset

Communication & teamwork

Job description

THE POSITION

As (Senior) Legal Counsel International Projects, you are a trusted legal adviser to our tendering, operations, project, procurement and logistics teams. You provide pragmatic, commercially sound legal advice throughout the lifecycle of international offshore construction projects.

You will work on a broad range of construction, transportation, installation and maritime service contracts, while contributing to the successful delivery of projects in a complex and dynamic offshore environment.

YOUR IMPACT

• Advise on contracts and risk allocation

  Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of offshore construction contracts, including bespoke agreements, FIDIC and LOGIC standard forms, transport & installation contracts and offshore support, maintenance and repair agreements. You advise on contractual risk allocation, including weather exposure, delays and complex maritime operations.

• Support projects and commercial teams

  Act as a trusted legal partner to tendering, project, operations, procurement and logistics teams, translating complex legal issues into clear, practical and commercially viable solutions.

• Advise on insurance, safety and environmental matters

  Provide general legal guidance, in close cooperation with our insurance department, on construction-related insurance matters including CAR, P&I, Hull & Machinery (H&M) and offshore project insurance. You also advise on offshore safety and environmental regulatory frameworks relevant to marine construction, transport, installation, maintenance and repair activities.

• Manage claims and disputes

  Proactively support project-related claims and disputes, helping determine the right strategy to achieve successful outcomes while protecting Van Oord's commercial interests and maintaining key business relationships.

About You

• Construction law expertise

  You have at least 4 years of post-qualification experience and solid experience in construction law. A UK or common law background is preferred.

• Offshore and maritime experience

  Experience in the maritime, offshore energy or offshore construction sector is highly valued. You understand the contractual and operational realities of working with vessels and complex marine operations.

• Contracting and negotiation skills

  You have experience with major contract forms used in the offshore construction sector, including FIDIC and LOGIC, and are confident drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex commercial agreements.

• Commercial and strategic mindset

  You combine strong legal knowledge with excellent commercial awareness. You are decisive, solution-oriented and able to remain calm and effective when dealing with high-risk or time-critical situations.

• Strong communicator and team player

  You have excellent written and spoken English communication skills and work effectively with diverse stakeholders. You demonstrate strong critical thinking, self-awareness and the ability to constructively challenge and debate within project and tender teams.

WE OFFER

• A salary that matches your responsibilities and experience
• Attractive travel allowance (€0.31 per km) and home working allowance (€2.45 per day)
• 32 holidays (of which a maximum of 7 are collective)
• Variable bonus, partly dependent on company results
• Attractive pension scheme
• Option for collective health insurance (Van Oord pays for your supplementary package)
• Extensive development opportunities, including a comprehensive online academy via Goodhabitz
• Communities to join, such as Young Van Oord, Van Oord Women, and the Van Oord staff association
• Various events and sports activities, such as skiing, sailing weekends, cycling, and motorcycling tours