Senior Legal Counsel Europe

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Job Summary

Shape the Legal Backbone of International Water Projects

We are seeking a pragmatic and experienced Senior Legal Counsel to support our European operations

In this role, you will be based in Milan a t Unidro office, a key engineering entity within Nijhuis Saur Industries. Reporting directly to the Director Legal & Compliance at the headquarter in the Netherlands. You will be part of the global Legal & Compliance team and act as a trusted business partner to local management and regional leadership.

You will provide hands-on legal support across multiple jurisdictions (primarily Italy, UK, Finland, Poland and potentially France), with a strong focus on project-based business, commercial contracting and operational support. You will be closely involved throughout the full lifecycle of projects, from bid phase to execution.

Job Description:

Commercial & Projects

• Provide practical, business-oriented legal advice to local management and operational teams

• Support project teams during pre-bid and bidding phases, including:

  • Reviewing and negotiating NDAs, teaming and cooperation agreements

  • Analysing tender documentation and identifying legal risks

• Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of contracts, including:

  • EPC (e.g. FIDIC or NEC), construction, O&M and services agreements

  • Supply and partnership agreements

• Support project execution by:

  • Advising on contract performance and amendments

  • Managing claims and contract-related disputes

Disputes & Risk Management

• Manage pre-contractual and contractual claims and disputes

• Coordinate and instruct external counsel where needed

• Ensure proactive legal risk identification and mitigation across jurisdictions

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations and internal policies

• Support and monitor implementation of group ethics and compliance procedures

• Promote a strong culture of integrity and ethical business conduct

Corporate, M&A & Strategic Support

• Support M&A transactions and partnerships from a legal perspective (as relevant)

• Provide assistance on integration of acquired entities and post-closing matters

• Support corporate governance processes, including intercompany arrangements

Legal Operations & Collaboration

• Contribute to the development and implementation of legal templates, tools and best practices

• Support knowledge sharing within the Legal & Compliance team

• Act as an interface between headquarter and local business teams

Job Requirements:

• Qualified lawyer with approximately 5–7 years of relevant experience (law firm and/or in-house)

• Strong experience in international commercial contracts and project-based environments (e.g. EPC, infrastructure, industrial projects)

• Experience in multi-jurisdictional environments and decentralized organizations

• Exposure to claims management, compliance and ideally M&A or corporate matters

• Pragmatic, solution-oriented and hands-on mindset

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to act as a trusted business partner

• Able to manage multiple priorities and work independently

• Language proficiency in English and Italian, additional European languages (e.g. French, Spanish) are a plus

Working for us means

• Broad, end-to-end involvement in international projects

• High exposure to business and decision-making

• Combination of commercial, project, compliance and strategic work

• Truly international scope within a growing organization

• You will receive annual salary in the range of €80,000 – €95,000 gross per year + performance bonus and comprehensive ben