Legal counsel Aviation/Transport industry

• Opportunity to work with a key player in the aviation leasing and MRO community
• An international and dynamic environment with highly motivated professionals

Our client is a thriving company and they are growing fast. They are a subsidiary of a leading German engine manufacturer and a globally active maintenance provider for commercial aircraft engines. They specialize in short and medium-term engine leasing. Their service offering also includes asset management and technical consulting services.

They are looking for a (Sr.) legal counsel to become part of their dedicated expert team for the office in Amsterdam (Zuid As).

They're on an exciting journey – growing fast and breaking new ground every day. They're part of the AE Group, benefiting from the backing and stability of a global industry leader with German roots, while maintaining the mindset and energy of a start-up scaling in Amsterdam. Quick decisions, low hierarchy, no politics – just great people working together to make things happen.

They believe there are no limits when it comes to achieving goals. You'll have plenty of opportunities to grow – in your role and beyond. They encourage curiosity, fresh ideas, and personal development because when their people grow, their business grows too.

The team is made up of over 27 nationalities, and the leaders come from all around the world. They're proud of how diverse they are, but even prouder of how aligned they are – one team with one vision: to lead with humility, willpower, and a shared passion for excellence.

Your tasks as a legal counsel:

• Negotiate, draft, and manage aviation leasing and trading transactions involving airlines, lessors, and OEMs.
• Provide timely, high-quality legal support across all business areas, ensuring legal risks are identified, assessed, and mitigated in compliance with applicable laws.
• Serve as the primary legal point of contact, understanding business operations and translating legal requirements into practical, actionable advice.
• Review, draft, negotiate, and approve a wide variety of commercial agreements.
• Lead and mentor junior legal counsels and team members, fostering a collaborative environment and sharing knowledge to enhance the overall capability of the legal team.
• Advise management and business teams on corporate, commercial, and regulatory matters, ensuring adherence to internal policies and external legal requirements.
• Identify legal risks and proactively propose mitigation measures, contract enhancements, or process improvements to minimize exposure.
• Manage disputes, claims, and litigation matters, coordinating with external counsel, insurers, and internal stakeholders.
• Support compliance initiatives, including adherence to the Code of Conduct, awareness of sanctions and export control, data protection (GDPR), and other regulatory requirements relevant to the aviation and leasing sectors.
• Monitor developments in Dutch and EU legislation pertinent and proactively advise management on legal implications and necessary actions.
• Assist with corporate governance matters, including board resolutions, shareholder documentation, powers of attorney, and internal policies.
• Act as a legal advisor to the Managing Director and leadership team on day-to-day legal issues, maintaining a pragmatic and business-oriented approach.
• Collaborate with Group Legal to ensure alignment with group standards, templates, and legal positions while addressing specific needs.
• Provide legal support for internal projects, ensuring timely and compliant implementation.
• Maintain accurate legal documentation, contract repositories, and legal records in accordance with internal standards.

• 7+ years of relevant legal experience, preferably within the aviation or transport industry.
• Prior experience with high-value transactions involving leasing companies or airlines is highly desirable.
• Master's degree in Law, with a focus on international trade or commercial law.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with business stakeholders, providing pragmatic, solution-oriented legal advice.

• An international and dynamic environment with highly motivated professionals.
• The opportunity to work with a key player in the aviation leasing and MRO community.
• A positive and entrepreneurial mindset within the team.
• A prime office location in Amsterdam, with easy access to Schiphol Airport and the city centre.
• A steep learning curve that fosters personal and professional development.