Legal Counsel – In-house Advisor

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Legal Counsel to become the central legal point of contact for essenscia, the Belgian federation for the chemical and life‑sciences industry. The role combines strategic advice with hands‑on execution across a wide range of regulatory and commercial matters.

Key responsibilities

• Advise management, colleagues and member companies on diverse legal issues, translating complex legislation into practical solutions.
• Oversee the association’s legal governance, including articles of association and general meetings.
• Draft, review and negotiate contracts with partners, suppliers and other stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with antitrust, data‑protection and other relevant regulations while establishing sound internal processes.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and assess their impact on the federation and its members.
• Represent essenscia in working groups of Cefic, VBO/FEB, Voka and AKT.

Required profile

• Master’s degree in Law with at least five years of experience as an in‑house counsel, lawyer or legal adviser.
• Broad legal background and ability to work independently, set priorities and take ownership of files.
• Willingness to develop expertise in energy, climate and other industry‑specific legislation.
• Fluent in Dutch and French, with a good command of English.
• Clear communication style, focused on practical, solution‑oriented advice.

What we offer

• Full‑time permanent contract with a competitive salary package.
• Hospitalisation insurance for you and your family, group insurance and meal vouchers.
• Choice of a company car or full reimbursement of public‑transport commuting costs.
• Hybrid working arrangements and 31 days of annual leave for full‑time employees.
• Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional development and expertise growth.