Senior Legal Counsel / SME (all gender) at ALPLA Group

Senior Legal Counsel / SME (all gender) at ALPLA Group A Wenn Sie eine Bewerbung abschicken möchten, klicken Sie bitte auf die Schaltfläche "Bewerben", nachdem Sie die gesamte Beschreibung gelesen haben. ALPLA Group Primary Location/Place/Mode Completed degree in law, business law or comparable; bar exam or 2nd state exam advantageous; several years of professional experience in a legal environment, preferably in an international company; strong commercial understanding and interest in industrial contexts; structured, pragmatic and solution-oriented working style; high personal responsibility, commitment and team-oriented attitude; excellent German and English skills (min. B2/C1), additional foreign languages advantageous; ability to communicate complex legal issues clearly and develop practical solutions. If you have been following the trajectory of in-house legal careers in Europe, you already know that the role of a Senior Legal Counsel is no longer confined to reviewing contracts in a back office. It has evolved into a strategic, business-critical function that sits at the intersection of law, risk management, and corporate growth. The current opening at ALPLA Group in Hard, Vorarlberg, Austria is a textbook example of this transformation. This is not merely a job posting; it is an invitation to join a global industrial leader in packaging and plastics - an industry that touches every corner of modern life. For legal professionals who crave autonomy, international exposure, and a tangible impact on business decisions, this role offers a rare combination of responsibility and career acceleration. Why This Senior Legal Counsel Role Stands Out in Austria's Corporate Legal Market ALPLA Group is not a household name like Microsoft or Google, but within the world of packaging and plastic manufacturing, it is a heavyweight. The company designs and produces packaging solutions, bottles, caps, and injection-molded parts for clients across food, beverage, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Operating in more than 40 countries, ALPLA's legal team must navigate a labyrinth of contract law, data protection regulations, cross-border trade rules, and compliance frameworks. The job description for this Senior Legal Counsel / SME position explicitly mentions tasks such as advising on DSGVO/GDPR, negotiating international contracts, and coordinating with external law firms - winds that tell you this is not a routine legal role. It is a strategic partnership with the business. A single legal misstep in cross-border manufacturing can cost millions in fines and reputational damage. That is why global players like ALPLA invest heavily in senior legal talent who can think beyond the black letter of the law. This role reports directly to the Head of Legal and carries a high degree of Eigenverantwortung (personal responsibility). You are expected to independently manage projects, train internal teams, and act as the go-to legal expert for multiple business units. In a company with flat hierarchies and short decision-making paths, your advice will reach the C-suite quickly. This is exactly the kind of environment where a senior lawyer can build a stellar career reputation. The Strategic Duties: More Than Just Contract Review Many lawyers entering in-house roles expect to draft and review contracts—and that is certainly part of the job. But ALPLA’s description outlines a much broader mandate. Here are the core responsibilities you will own: Collaborative leadership: Working hand-in-hand with the Head of Legal to shape the legal strategy of the group. Cross-border legal advisory: Advising on national and international legal issues, including contract law, GDPR compliance, and risk analysis. Negotiation and drafting: Taking lead on internal and external contracts, from commercial agreements to complex joint ventures. Compliance oversight: Monitoring compliance with legal standards and ensuring that business operations stay within legal boundaries. Training and education: Designing and delivering internal training sessions to raise legal awareness across the company. Project management: Steering legal projects that have company-wide relevance, often requiring coordination across time zones. External coordination: Managing relationships with external counsel, consultants, and regulatory bodies. These tasks demand a lawyer who is comfortable with ambiguity and capable of providing pragmatic, business-oriented solutions. The job posting explicitly asks for a structured, solution-oriented approach and the ability to make complex legal issues understandable to non-lawyers. This is the essence of modern in-house counsel: you are not just telling the business what the law says; you are telling them how to achieve their goals legally. Who Should Apply? Navigating the Qualification Maze Let’s be blunt: this is a senior role, and the requirements reflect that. The ideal candidate will likely have five to ten years of legal experience, preferably in an international corporate environment. A completed law degree is mandatory, but ALPLA also accepts degrees in business law (Wirtschaftsrecht) or comparable qualifications. A full Anwaltsprüfung (bar exam) or the German/Austrian 2. Staatsexamen is a plus, though not essential - particularly if your CV demonstrates meaningful experience in a multinational setting. xecpmvz Language skills are critical: excellent German and English (at least B2/C1) are required. In a company headquartered #J-18808-Ljbffr