Legal Counsel

De Smet Engineers & Contractors (DSEC) is a multidisciplinary engineering company and a general contractor which provides the industry with engineering studies (FEL1/2/3) and projects execution, from turnkey management (EPCM) to full turnkey construction (EPC).

DSEC has an established reputation as process integrator, specializing in the agro- and bio-industrial fields such as Sugars & Ethanol, VegOils & Derivatives, Bio-based industries & Fertilizers. It is a world-class provider of Engineering, Procurement and Construction services under a single point responsibility.

To support his legal Department, DSEC is looking for a Legal Counsel.

Role Overview

The Legal Counsel provides legal support to the General Counsel and business teams across multiple jurisdictions (Belgium, France, India). The role is responsible for supporting commercial activities, corporate governance, compliance, and dispute management while ensuring legal risks are appropriately identified and managed.

Working within an international engineering environment, the Legal Counsel serves as a trusted business partner, delivering practical and commercially focused legal advice that supports the organization's strategic and operational growth objectives.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

Commercial Contracting & Legal Support

• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage a broad range of commercial agreements, including Engineering Service agreements, Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) agreements, Purchasing agreements, subcontractor, licensing and technology, NDAs, consultancy, and framework agreements.
• Provide practical, risk-based legal advice to support commercial and operational decision-making.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and contractual risks.
• Develop and maintain contract templates, general terms and conditions, and contracting guidelines.
• Support contract lifecycle management and contractual compliance.

Legal Advisory & Business Partnering

• Act as a trusted legal advisor to stakeholders across the organization, including sales, operations, procurement, finance, and HR.
• Advise on commercial, corporate, employment, and regulatory matters.
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments relevant to the business and provide pragmatic recommendations.
• Translate complex legal concepts into clear, actionable business guidance.

Corporate Governance & Corporate Secretarial Support

• Support the General Counsel on corporate governance and company secretarial matters across multiple jurisdictions.
• Coordinate board and committee meetings, including agendas, materials, resolutions, and minutes.
• Maintain statutory records, corporate documentation, and regulatory filings, while liaising with authorities and registries.
• Support the incorporation, restructuring, and dissolution of legal entities.
• Monitor governance developments and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and ethical standards.
• Support compliance programs, audits, investigations, reviews, and training to mitigate compliance risks.

Dispute Resolution & Claims Management

• Support the management of contractual disputes, claims during project execution, and pre-litigation matters arising from business operations and projects.
• Monitor ongoing disputes and provide regular reporting to the General Counsel.
• Coordination with external counsel on litigation, arbitration and other dispute resolutions.
• Support the development of dispute resolution and risk mitigation measures

Legal Operations & Knowledge Management

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of legal processes, systems, and tools.
• Maintain legal documentation, templates, and knowledge resources.
• Promote legal awareness and best practices, provide internal training on various relevant legal topics throughout the organization.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master’s degree in Law (or equivalent).
• Min 3 years of experience in a law firm and/or in-house legal department.
• Experience in:
• Corporate law and governance
• Commercial contracts
• Experience in engineering, construction, or industrial sectors is preferred.
• Exposure to international and multi-jurisdictional environments is essential.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong drafting and negotiation skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Business-oriented mindset with pragmatic approach to risk.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• High level of integrity and professionalism.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Fluent in English and French, additional languages are an asset.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive and hands-on approach.
• Collaborative team player with the ability to work independently.
• Adaptable to a fast-paced, international environment.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

Why Join Us ?

• Opportunity to work on complex international projects in a growing engineering company.
• Broad exposure across legal domains.
• Collaborative environment with direct access to senior leadership.

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