Lead Legal Counsel EMEA

dsm-firmenich; Maastricht; On-site; EUR 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unique career paths

Collaborative international teams

Continuous learning opportunities

Job summary

dsm-firmenich is seeking a Lead Counsel EMEA based in Maastricht, Netherlands. You will act as the key legal partner to regional business leadership, balancing legal risk and business ambition while ensuring compliance in a complex regulatory environment.

This role requires proven experience as a senior legal advisor and skills in managing disputes, compliance, and regulatory topics. Offering a competitive salary and a supportive company culture, dsm-firmenich emphasizes inclusivity and growth.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a senior legal advisor in an international, commercial environment.
• Strong ability to balance legal risk with business needs in complex situations.
• Experience in managing disputes, compliance frameworks and regulatory topics.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary legal advisor to EMEA business and functional leadership.
• Lead and oversee legal support for commercial contracts, strategic initiatives.
• Identify, assess, and manage legal, regulatory and compliance risks.

Skills

Senior legal advisor experience

Balancing legal risk and business needs

Dispute management

Compliance frameworks management

Influencing senior stakeholders

Team leadership

Job description

About the Role

As Lead Counsel EMEA, you act as the key legal partner to our regional business leadership, shaping critical commercial and strategic decisions across the region. You will balance legal risk with business ambition, ensuring compliant, pragmatic and high‑impact solutions in a complex regulatory environment.

Salary range: 110,000 EUR - 150,000 EUR base/year/gross

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the primary legal advisor to EMEA business and functional leadership
• Lead and oversee legal support for commercial contracts, strategic initiatives, and complex negotiations
• Identify, assess, and manage legal, regulatory and compliance risks across EMEA operations
• Oversee disputes, claims, and litigation matters, including management of external counsel
• Ensure effective implementation of governance, compliance and ethics frameworks across the region
• Drive continuous improvement in legal processes, delivering efficient and business‑oriented legal support

What We Offer

• Unique career paths across Animal Nutrition & Health – explore what drives you
• A science‑led company combining innovation, sustainability, and global impact
• A position with strong regional visibility and strategic influence
• Collaborative and supportive international teams
• Opportunities for continuous learning and leadership development
• A culture that empowers ownership, accountability and growth

What You Bring

• Proven experience as a senior legal advisor in an international, commercial environment
• Strong ability to balance legal risk with business needs in complex situations
• Experience in managing disputes, compliance frameworks and regulatory topics
• Confidence working with senior stakeholders and influencing decision‑making
• Structured, pragmatic and solution‑oriented mindset
• Leadership experience, including team development and external counsel management

About Animal Nutrition & Health

This role is part of the Essential Products Company as one of the two standalone entities created from Animal Nutrition & Health as part of the divestment to CVC capital. Its mandate is to become the global leader for essential nutritional and aroma ingredients, built on large‑scale, efficient, high‑quality production.

To apply, please visit our career portal.

For further information, please contact Vanessa Kolm, Talent Acquisition Business Partner, [e-mail].

Inclusion, Belonging and Equal Opportunity Statement

At dsm‑firmenich, we believe being a force for good starts with the way we treat each other. When people feel supported, included, and free to be themselves, they do their best work – and that’s exactly the kind of culture we’re building. A place where opportunity is truly equal, authenticity is celebrated, and everyone has the chance to grow, contribute, and feel they belong.

We’re proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer, and we’re serious about making our hiring process as fair and inclusive as possible. From inclusive language and diverse interview panels to thoughtful sourcing, we’re committed to reflecting the world we serve.

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds — no matter your gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or anything else that makes you, you.

And if you have a disability or need any support through the application process, we’re here to help – just let us know what you need, and we’ll do everything we can to make it work.

Agency Statement

We’re managing this search directly at dsm‑firmenich. If you’re applying as an individual, we’d love to hear from you. We’re not accepting agency submissions or proposals involving fees or commissions for this role.