(Part-Time) Legal Counsel - Commercial Contracts (EMEA)

Legal Counsel - Commercial Contracts (EMEA) (part-time)

3 days per week 

Location: Amsterdam, hybrid

DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, our 4,000+ specialists deliver growth invention services across Brand & Media, Experience, Commerce, CRM, and Technology & Data. We’re 50|50 tech and marketing, partner-led, and first to move. Clients include Google, Lufthansa, Meta, eBay, and OpenAI. We have been certified B Corp and Climate Neutral since 2021.

JOB PURPOSE

This role is part of our Legal Team at DEPT®, a group of collaborative, pragmatic and business-focused legal professionals that will feel like friends in no time. You will collaborate with stakeholders that will challenge and inspire you, in the environment of a leading international agency with the energy of a dynamic local team. We trust and value creative freedom and autonomy. 

As Legal Counsel – Commercial Contract (EMEA), you will support DEPT®’s business across EMEA, with a focus on drafting, reviewing and negotiating a broad range of commercial agreements. 

As we currently do not have German language capabilities within the Legal Team, strong German language skills (written and spoken) are essential. You will support German-speaking stakeholders and handle German language contracts and negotiations where required. 

You will act as a pragmatic business partner, balancing legal risk with commercial objectives. 

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts, including client service agreements (e.g. MSAs, SOWs, SLAs), supplier contracts, and licensing agreements (IP, AI, software, cloud and technology-related agreements)
• Provide clear, pragmatic legal advice to business stakeholders across EMEA on commercial law matters
• Act as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders, helping them navigate legal risks in a fast-paced environment
• Support the development and improvement of contract templates, policies, playbooks and legal workflows
• Deliver legal training to business teams on key legal topics (e.g. contracting, risk, AI, data)
• Partner with business and operational teams to identify and mitigate legal risks while achieving commercial objectives
• Stay informed about relevant developments in law and industry-specific regulations in the EMEA region, including GDPR, IP, digital services, AI and other technology-related legal developments
• Collaborate closely with the wider global Legal Team to ensure consistency and knowledge sharing across all regions

WHAT YOU BRING:

• Fully qualified lawyer (preferably NL, Germany or another European jurisdiction) or equivalent in-house experience 
• 3-5 years’ experience in commercial and contract law at a law firm and/or in-house role
• Fluent German (written and spoken) and fluent English required
• Familiarity with German and Swiss law is a plus 
• Experience in (digital) marketing, advertising and/or technology services is preferred
• Experience in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts in a services-based environment is a plus
• Working knowledge of key regulatory frameworks relevant to digital marketing and technology services, including GDPR, the EU AI Act, and preferably advertising/marketing regulations applicable in the DACH region

• Pragmatic, business-oriented mindset with the ability to balance legal risk and commercial needs
• Comfortable making risk-based decisions in an in-house environment 
• Able to work independently while collaborating effectively within an international Legal Team
• Exceptional analytical skills and attention to detail
• Confident communicator who can advise non-legal stakeholders clearly, practically and commercially
• A proactive team player who thrives in a fast-paced, international environment and embraces a dynamic, evolving business landscape

WE OFFER

• A flexible, hybrid working policy (2-3 days from the office, depending on location) and the opportunity to work from abroad for 13 weeks a year. 
• 24 vacation days per year and the possibility to buy an unlimited number of extra vacation days.
• DEPT®/YOU Learning Menu and DEPT®/YOU Special Programs. Develop your skills with courses and programs tailored to your needs.
• Stay happy and healthy with a contribution to your health through the OpenUp platform, gym and wellness discounts, and healthy lunches at the office.
• Get a discount on your lease bike and ride in style. You can also enjoy hassle free-commutes with an NS Business Card. 
• A reputation for doing good. DEPT® has been a Certified B Corp® since 2021, has been named a Great Place To Work since 2022 in the Netherlands and named ‘Agency of the Year’ at both The Lovies and The Webby Awards.
• Awesome clients. Whether big, small, local or global — at DEPT® you’ll get the opportunity to work with all of them. And we celebrate all of our successes together!
• You can discover even more employee benefits here.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION 

At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives.

Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine.

We also encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.

Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our efforts here.