Legal Counsel

S[&]T; Delft; On-site; EUR 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

S[&]T is seeking an experienced Legal Counsel to establish and develop our legal function as Head of Legal. You will be the trusted advisor to the Executive Board, guiding strategic decisions while managing legal risk across the Netherlands, Italy and Norway.

This is a chance to build the function from the ground up and shape how legal supports international growth. Ideal candidates bring at least 5 years of relevant experience, a Master’s in Law, and a pragmatic, business-focused mindset with

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Law and 5+ years of relevant legal experience.
• Experience drafting and negotiating commercial contracts.
• Strong stakeholder management and advisory capabilities to the Exec. leadership.
• Fluency in both Dutch and English (written and spoken).
• Experience with government contracting, Defence, Space, High-Tech, R&D or M&A is a strong advantage.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary legal advisor to the Executive Board and senior leadership.
• Establish, develop and professionalise the legal function across the organisation.
• Advise on commercial, corporate, regulatory and compliance matters within an international business environment.
• Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements and customer contracts.
• Coordinate legal matters across offices in the Netherlands, Italy and Norway.
• Manage relationships with external law firms and specialist legal advisors.
• Support strategic initiatives including acquisitions, international expansion and new business opportunities.

Skills

Legal experience

Contract negotiation

Stakeholder management

Independent working

Dutch/English bilingual

Education

Master's degree in Law

Job description

At S[&]T, we develop advanced technologies that help shape the future of Space, Defence and Security. From satellite missions to AI-driven software and high-tech systems, our solutions support customers operating in some of the world's most demanding and highly regulated environments.

As our organisation continues to grow internationally, we're looking for an experienced Legal Counsel to establish and develop our legal function.

Reporting directly to the executive board, you'll become the company's trusted legal advisor, working alongside senior leadership to support strategic decisions, manage legal risk and enable sustainable growth across our operations in the Netherlands, Italy and Norway.

This is far more than a traditional in-house legal role. It's an opportunity to build something from the ground up, shape legal strategy, influence business decisions and grow into the future Head of Legal.

If you're an entrepreneurial legal professional who enjoys combining strategic thinking with a practical, hands-on approach, we'd love to hear from you.

Unlike many in-house legal roles, you'll have the opportunity to build and shape the legal function from the ground up. Rather than joining an established legal department, you'll become the trusted legal advisor to the Executive Board, helping define how legal supports the continued international growth of the organisation.

Main Responsibilities

As Legal Counsel, you will:

• Serve as the primary legal advisor to the Executive Board and senior leadership.
• Establish, develop and professionalise the legal function across the organisation.
• Advise on commercial, corporate, regulatory and compliance matters within an international business environment.
• Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements, strategic partnerships and customer contracts.Identify legal risks and provide pragmatic solutions that support business growth.
• Develop legal policies, templates and governance processes that enable the organisation to scale efficiently.
• Coordinate legal matters across our offices in the Netherlands, Italy and Norway.
• Manage relationships with external law firms and specialist legaladvisors.
• Support strategic initiatives including acquisitions, international expansion and new business opportunities.

Requirements

We're looking for someone who enjoys taking ownership and helping shape an organisation during an exciting period of growth.

Ideally, you'll bring:

• A Master's degree in Law.
• At least 5 years of relevant legal experience, either in-house, within private practice, or a combination of both.
• Experience drafting and negotiating commercial contracts.
• A pragmatic, business-oriented mindset with excellent judgement.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and confidence advising executive leadership.
• The ability to work independently while building strong relationships across the business.
• Fluency in both Dutch and English, written and spoken.
• Experience with government contracting, Defence, Space, High-Tech, R&D or M&A is considered a strong advantage

What we offer

Joining S[&]T means becoming part of a growing international technology company where legal plays a strategic role in the organisation's future.

We offer:

• A unique opportunity to build and lead the legal function of an international technology company.
• Direct collaboration with the Executive Board and senior leadership.
• A clear growth path towards Head of Legal.
• The opportunity to work on innovative projects within the Space, Defence and High-Tech sectors.
• Significant autonomy, responsibility and influence.
• An international working environment with colleagues across multiple countries.
• A competitive salary and attractive benefits package.