For our client, a global trading company with worldwide offices and yearly sales of CHF 7 billion headquartered in the Zurich Area we are looking for a Senior Legal Counsel reporting to the Top Management of the company.

Key Responsibilities

• Enable Management to take informed business decisions.
• Identify creative and practical legal solutions to support and meet business needs.
• Draft, review, negotiate and structure commercial agreements associated with trading activities, such as sales and purchase agreements, book-out, circle out and swap agreements, sales agency as well as consultancy agreements.
• Provide legal advice and compliance guidance in all commercial areas, such as antitrust and competition law compliance, export control, sanction and embargo compliance, anti-bribery compliance, product liability matters as well as data privacy.
• Provide legal interpretation of contractual obligations, assist in the negotiation and resolution of claims, including drafting and negotiation settlement agreements.
• Manage international litigation and arbitration cases.
• Provide legal advice and support to different groups within the company, primarily in the areas of trade finance, human resources, regulatory matters as well as environmental, health and safety.
• Draft, review and negotiate confidentiality and joint venture agreements as well as Lols and MoUs.
• Oversee the corporate maintenance of legal entities.
• Retain, direct, instruct and supervise external counsel and other professional advisors.
• Prepare and manage legal budgets, forecasts and accruals.

Key Qualifications

• Law degree from a reputable University with at least 10 years PQE.
• At least 5 years of experience in a similar function with an international trading company or working with a reputable law firm focusing on contract and international trade law.
• Prior experience as a lawyer from a major law firm is a plus.
• Admitted to the Bar in Switzerland or an EU Member State is a plus.
• Fluency (written and verbal) in English is required. Knowledge of German and other languages is a plus.
• Swiss working permit.

Key Competencies

• Strong analytical skills and a broad knowledge of international trade and corporate law.
• Working knowledge of trade finance, human resources, regulatory and environmental law issues.
• Excellent business judgment skills and ability to apply business solutions to legal problems
• Self motivated, energetic, passionate with a positive mindset.
• Well organized and able to independently manage and prioritize a changing workload and meet deadlines.
• Superior written communication and drafting skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal communication and negotiation skills.
• Proven team player