Legal Counsel Global Contracts

Salary : between 114.408 - 143.010 CHF or 72.851 - 91.063 EUR or 49.314 - 61.642 GBP

Job Type: Full-Time

Permanent

Location: Switzerland, The Netherlands or The United Kingdom 

Hybrid working opportunity 

About the IB

If you're looking to work for a global organisation with a meaningful mission, and with colleagues all over the world, then the International Baccalaureate® (IB) may have the ideal opportunity for you! The International Baccalaureate provides world-class educational services to over 5,500 schools across 159 countries. A career at IB is not just a job; it’s an opportunity to work with an innovative world leader in education services and contribute to our 50-year mission of creating a better and more peaceful world. Apply now to join our global organisation where we empower our employees to thrive and make a difference.

Under general direction and with considerable latitude for independent judgment and action, the Legal Counsel Contracts:

• Advises the organization’s internal and external stakeholders on a broad array of complex contractual matters arising out of its academic programs and business activities across regions. 

• Provides daily support to staff and external stakeholders by drafting, reviewing and negotiating a wide range of contracts, from the complex to the more business-as-usual. 

• Assists in the continuous improvement of the contract management framework of the organization, using the contract management system to maintain the Legal and Compliance department’s database of contracts. 

• Reviews and updates the IB’s existing contractual templates based on stakeholder and business needs and keeping templates current with legal developments, as well as assisting with creating new templates as needed. 

• Provides additional stakeholder focused support with matters of any kind that arise within the Legal & Compliance department where required and appropriate.

• Works as part of a small legal team to advise the organization on a broad array of contractual matters, including drafting, reviewing and negotiating contracts, such as service provider agreements, non-disclosure agreements, cooperation agreements, framework agreements, MoUs and amendments, with vendors, schools, districts, governments, etc., across the IB’s regions. 

• Ensures a high level of professional customer service by responding daily to questions/issues related to contract matters and providing support to staff and external stakeholders. Supports operational teams by delivering practical, timely, and legally sound advice.

• Advises internal stakeholders on contractual rights, obligations, and risk exposure. Ensures contracts are consistent with the organization’s mandate, internal regulations, and applicable law. Conducts review, research and drafting necessary to execute the various agreements.

• Contributes to the development and maintenance of contract templates and internal contract-related policies. Performs the necessary review, research and drafting required to keep templates and guidelines up to date.

• Supports continuous improvement of contracting processes and workflows. Advises and supports stakeholders with the process for initiating legal review of contracts, as well as the execution and signing of contracts in accordance with the IB’s internal rules and procedures.

• Assists with developing and delivering training or guidance on contracting and legal risk awareness to internal stakeholders. Assists with communicating with internal stakeholders to obtain feedback and information to improve contract management.

• Manages the storing of the organization’s contracts, templates and guidelines using the Legal Department’s online document management system.

• Other general legal support:  assists in other areas of the Legal Department when requested and possible, such as compliance, corporate housekeeping, privacy and data protection and intellectual property matters. Works closely as part of a small legal team to ensure that all matters are handled in accordance with the relevant policies and agreed timescales, and issues/ delays/ risks are identified and escalated promptly.

• A law degree (LLB, JD) from a recognized University and a Master’s degree (LLM) with specialisation in business or contract’s law or a license to practice/admission to bar in a relevant jurisdiction.

• Between 7 to 10 years of experience working as in-house legal counsel or in-house experience combined with law-firm experience.

• Areas of expertise:

  • required: commercial contract law and negotiation, international transactions;

  • strongly desirable: Swiss or English law experience, compliance, privacy and data protection, intellectual property and/or contract database management systems,

• Business sector experience: any, but education and/or technology preferred. 

• Experience working in or with international organizations, NGOs, or multinational entities is an asset.

• Fluent in English and working knowledge of Spanish required.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, excellent time management skills, flexible with ability to work around multiple deadlines and changing priorities; organized with good attention to detail; strong ability to communicate legal and compliance concepts clearly to non-lawyers and to provide practical, actionable advice to business and internal stakeholders; open personality with the ability to work with people from different backgrounds and cultures and with stakeholders at all levels of the organization. 

• Proven commitment to client/stakeholder service, interest in NGO/non-profit organizations, good business judgment and effective presentation skills.

• Must be adept at balancing risk and opportunity, creative problem solving, collaborating with lawyers and non-lawyers, and working with stakeholders to drive business decisions.

• Ability to work autonomously as well as part of a small legal team.

• Flexible in terms of working hours and able to handle work in multiple time zones with offices in Singapore and Washington DC.

• Proficient IT skills, including the full Microsoft Office suite, in particular Microsoft Word, Excel and Copilot.

In addition to your salary, we offer an attractive range of benefits including: (will vary by region)

• employer pension contribution
• Enhanced family friendly benefits
• 25 Days annual leave, plus public holidays, with the choice to buy up to 5 days additional annual leave 
• Life assurance 
• Flexible working hours 
• Excellent continuous professional development
• 1.5-2.5% Flexible benefits allowance
•  

Applications will be accepted until 5 April 2026.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement: We are committed to building a working environment that values respect, diversity, and compassion. The International Baccalaureate is proud to be an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified applicants.