Head of Legal Office

Legal Office

Short description of the position

The Head of Legal Office, reporting directly to Eurac Research Director, ensures the integrated oversight of Eurac Research's legal, contractual and litigation-related activities. Together with the Legal Office team, the role supports the Institutes, research centers and internal administrative departments (internal client) in addressing legal matters in the fields of civil law, digital law, data protection, intellectual property, administrative law and, where relevant, criminal law, safeguarding the interests of the organization.

The function operates with a proactive and solution-oriented approach, translating the regulatory framework into clear, sustainable and operationally applicable guidance to support organizational decisions and the development of institutional and research activities.

In this context, the Head of Legal Office contributes to the informed management of legal and reputational risks by identifying viable approaches that are consistent with the regulatory framework and aligned with the organisation’s objectives.

Tasks

1. Contract management and legal advice

Legal advice to Institutes, research centers and internal services in the relevant areas, including the drafting of legal opinions and support in implementing the applicable legal requirements. Coordination and supervision of the drafting, review and negotiation of different types of contracts, including for example:

• Non-disclosure agreements.
• Cooperation agreements and MoUs;
• Funding agreements for doctoral programs with Italian and international universities and research centers.
• Visiting and internship agreements (legal review).
• Lease agreements and loan-for-use agreements (including equipment, etc.).
• Intellectual Property matters (e.g. copyright);
• Commissioned research contracts, research services and subcontracts.
• Licenses of use and general terms of service.

Finalization of legal documents of various kinds (e.g. reports, reminders, claims in insolvency proceedings, debt recovery).

The function is oriented towards the internal client and translates legal constraints into concrete and implementable solutions, in compliance with the applicable regulatory framework.

2. Data protection

• Implementation of the obligations arising from national and international data protection regulations.
• Drafting of contracts and related documents in the field of privacy and data protection.
• Coordination and cooperation with the external DPO.
• Support for internal audits.

3. Litigation management and relations with external counsels

• Supervision of litigation matters.
• Coordination with external legal counsel.
• Debt recovery activities.

4. People management and organization of the Function

• Coordination and supervision of the Legal Office team.
• Planning of activities and monitoring of workloads.
• Performance evaluation and development of team members.
• Budget management.
• Process and legal workflow optimization.

Requirements

1. Essential requirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent pre-Bologna degree in Law.
• At least 8-10 years of qualified professional experience in comparable research organizations, research institutions or universities.
• Preferred qualification: admission to the legal profession
• Experience in civil law, intellectual property, digital law, data protection and administrative law.
• Experience in litigation management and in coordinating external legal counsel.
• Excellent command of Italian and German; a good command of English is desirable.

2. Technical competences

• Ability to draft and negotiate complex contracts.
• Budget management skills.
• Familiarity with digital tools, the MS Office package and document management systems.

3. Transversal competences and leadership

• Strategic vision and internal client orientation.
• Strong strategic and proactive mindset, with the ability to anticipate the needs of internal clients and propose concrete, sustainable and compliant solutions, avoiding purely conservative or formalistic approaches.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective team management.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills.
• High level of confidentiality and professional integrity.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage complex priorities.
• Continuous and autonomous updating on legal and case-law developments within the areas of responsibility, with the ability to anticipate relevant changes and translate them promptly into operational guidance for the internal client.
• Openness to change and organizational innovation.

We offer

• Full-time position for 1 year with the possibility of a permanent role if both parties are satisfied
• International working environment
• Employee benefits package (e.g. childcare contributions, meal vouchers, supplementary health fund, etc.)
• Strong emphasis on work-life balance
• Access to Eurac Research’s wide range of scientific and cultural facilities and events
• A tailored onboarding plan will be prepared and coordinated by Human Resources in order to support an effective start in the role and a rapid alignment with Eurac Research’s strategic objectives and organizational processes.

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