Imagine a career where you directly contribute to keeping the world moving. At Vopak, the world's leading independent tank storage company, we are the vital link in the global supply chain, ensuring the safe, efficient, and increasingly sustainable flow of essential products. From the energy that powers our lives to the food that nourishes a growing planet, and the chemicals that drive innovation, your work here will have a tangible global impact.
The world is changing rapidly. The energy transition is reshaping industries, the global population is expanding, and new technologies are creating unprecedented possibilities. This isn't just a job; it's an opportunity to be at the forefront of these exciting developments and play a key role in shaping the future.
Vopak Belgium is seeking an experienced and proactive Freelance Senior Legal Counsel to provide dedicated legal support for the exciting commercial & business development projects, mainly at Vopak Energy Park Antwerp (“VEPA”).
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the energy transition by facilitating new infrastructure and solutions for sustainable energy carriers and chemical products. The ideal candidate will be a key sparring partner to the business and will play an integral role in driving forward critical projects.
Vopak Energy Park Antwerp: Vopak acquired a former refinery site on May 10th, 2023, gaining access to a strategic concession in the northern Antwerp port area. We are discussing the development of a new green energy hub with the Port of Antwerp Bruges. The site spans approximately 105 hectares and has deep-sea, river, road, and rail access, as well as pipeline connections to Northwest Europe for propylene, ethylene, CO2, and hydrogen transport.
Key Responsibilities:
Contract Drafting & Negotiation: Provide comprehensive legal support in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide range of commercial agreements, including LOIs, MOUs, and other customer contracts essential for VEPA’s business development initiatives.
Strategic Sparring Partner: Act as a trusted legal advisor and sparring partner to the business development team, providing strategic insights and practical legal guidance on project structuring, risks, and opportunities.
Active Participation: Proactively participate in negotiations with customers and internal team meetings, offering legal expertise and contributing to the successful progression of projects.
Energy Transition Focus: Specifically support projects related to the storage and handling of new energy carriers and commodities, with a strong emphasis on initiatives driving the energy transition (e.g., hydrogen, ammonia, CO2 infrastructure, sustainable fuels & feedstocks).
Legal Compliance Oversight: Monitor and guide legal compliance for Vopak Belgium entities, including Board of Directors matters, and handle other ad-hoc legal requests as needed on-site.
Availability:
Available to work 24 hours a week (exact hours to be discussed).
Starting date as soon as possible.
Length of assignment to be discussed (minimum of 6 months), with flexibility from Vopak's side for potential extension of a minimum of 6 months at a time.
Required Skills & Experience:
Demonstrable experience as a Senior Legal Counsel, ideally with a background in the energy, infrastructure, or chemicals sector.
Minimum of 10 years experience
Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree, preferably with a specialization in corporate law and a strong understanding of environmental law principles.
Demonstrable expertise in drafting and negotiating complex commercial contracts (LOIs, MOUs, customer agreements).
Strong understanding of legal frameworks relevant to business development projects in the context of large-scale industrial and energy infrastructure.
Experience or strong interest in the energy transition, including new energies and sustainable feedstocks.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Proactive, solution-oriented, and able to work independently within a dynamic project environment.
Proficiency in Dutch (Flemish) and English (written and spoken) is essential, French is a plus.
Experience working as a freelancer is highly desirable.
Organisation of team/role:
You will report directly to the Commercial & Business Development Director Belgium
The role is set-up as a stand-alone legal role within the Business Development team of Vopak Belgium.
Close coordination with the Global Legal team, which is located in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Location:
Vopak Energy Park Antwerp, Belgium, with some flexibility for remote work as agreed.
Compensation:
Salary/rate to be negotiated based on experience and expertise.
