The Head of Legal and Risk ensures Sustainability, Equity and Diversity Fund’s compliance with legal and regulatory standards across all operations, grant-making, and public benefit investing. The role works with the team to establish effective risk management in highly complex operating environment. This role develops and implements legal, compliance and risk management frameworks to meet jurisdictional requirements, manages risk assessment and due diligence for grantees and funders, and supports integration of compliance into daily activities.
The job requires occasional international travel (~10%).
Reporting to the Chief of Operations.
Location: The Netherlands. Candidates must have the independent and legal right to live and work in the Netherlands. Candidates based in the Netherlands are expected to work hybrid from their home office, and SED Fund office in The Hague.
Key Responsibilities Strategic Legal Advisory- Act as the primary legal expert in Dutch charity regulations.
- Ensure adherence to relevant laws in all active jurisdictions, ensuring alignment with SED Fund’s values and funder requirements.
- Communicate legal risks and opportunities to the team, supporting SED Fund’s cross-border activities and strategic objectives.
- Develop and implement legal and compliance frameworks for grant-making and public benefit investing.
- Advise on the due diligence framework.
- Advise on governance structures, proactively addressing legal obligations and best practices to protect organisational reputation and compliance.
- Advise HR on employment law matters, including drafting and reviewing contract and related policies.
- Lead ongoing compliance and risk management activities.
- Develop, implement, and update comprehensive risk and compliance policies leveraging external counsel as needed for complex issues.
- Monitor regulatory changes and integrate new compliance requirements into organisational practices, supporting adaptation across stakeholders.
- Proactively identify and address legal, reputational, and operational risks to reinforce organisational resilience.
- Supervise operational procedures and essential documentation across jurisdictions to maintain continuity.
- Collaborate with all teams within SED Fund to develop risk mitigation strategies in challenging environments.
- Contribute to drafting, reviewing, and negotiation of funding, consultancy, grant, and partnership templates agreements.
- Oversee legal dispute and litigation management, ensuring effective resolution should any legal challenges arise.
- Maintain strategic relationships with external legal advisors, regulatory bodies, and compliance experts in key countries where we operate.
- Collaborate with partners on legal and compliance issues impacting organisational structure and operations.
- Maintain close working relationships within SED Fund.
- Support complex employment law matters across jurisdictions by coordinating with the Employer of Record.
- Contribute to board governance by preparing materials on legal and compliance topics and delivering presentations to key stakeholders.
- Evaluate and provide guidance on SED Fund’s internal policies to ensure compliance with applicable laws and adherence to governance best practices.
- Develop, manage, and update legal reference materials, templates, and guidance documents for internal use.
The successful candidate must possess the following:
Please note the following criteria offers an aspirational view of our ideal candidate profile; however, we encourage applications from candidates with a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, especially those from underrepresented groups.
- Bachelor of Law required; advanced degree or certification preferred.
- Minimum 8 years’ legal experience (contract, non-profit, regulatory compliance preferred).
- Expertise in non-profit, international, or philanthropic law across jurisdictions.
- Knowledge in Dutch non-profit law, ANBI matters (Belastingdienst), and Dutch Civil Code Book 2 (foundations).
- Proven success with in international and multicultural settings.
- Experience with GDPR, cross-border data transfers, and privacy impact assessments.
- Knowledge of Dutch AML regulations.
- Cross-functional compliance, governance, and risk project experience.
- Fluent in English and Dutch (minimum C1 level, written and spoken).
- Displays values of Trust, Collaboration, Diversity, Solutions-orientated and Ambition.
- Skilled in negotiation and contract drafting, ensuring organisational interests in strategic deals.
- Experienced in handling legal matters across multiple jurisdictions.
- Recognised expertise in nonprofit legal and compliance issues.
- Team-oriented with strong interpersonal skills for working at all levels and with external partners.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.
- Strong written and verbal communication, able to influence effectively.
- Effective networker, collaborating with diverse stakeholders internationally.
We offer a 1-year fixed term contract with the intention to renew. The annual salary band for this position is between €131,000 and €145,000 (including 8% holiday allowance paid in May and 13th month paid in November) depending on candidate’s experience and internal equity. Candidates with outstanding experience will be appointed at the higher end of the band. The organisation also offers a generous benefits package in line with local standards (several monthly allowances, flexibility to work, Learning and Development budget, access to Open Up etc). This will be a full-time (40 hours/week) hybrid role and will require considerable time flexibility to support and collaborate with staff and stakeholders in multiple time zones.
Equal Opportunity EmployerThe SED Fund values diversity and encourages applications from people of all backgrounds. We provide equal employment opportunities regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, identity, marital status, origin, race, religion, or sexual orientation.
If you are excited by this job opportunity and you meet the job requirements, please click Apply to apply for the position.
Deadline for applications: Sunday 3rd May 2026.
#J-18808-Ljbffr€131000 - €145000 monthly