Overview
Senior Lawyer Jobs in Utrecht, Netherlands at SageBeans RPO
Title: Senior Lawyer
Company: SageBeans RPO
Location: Utrecht, Netherlands
About the Company
As a Medior Environmental Law Lawyer, you will make an important contribution to the development, safety and liveability. You will work on complex permit applications, enforcement cases and legally challenging files with significant social and administrative impact. You will join the Legal Affairs and Advisory team, part of the Permits, Supervision and Enforcement (VTH) department. This is a team of dedicated professionals providing high-quality legal support and advice. Together, you ensure that decisions are legally sound and practical to implement.
About the Role
Your Role As a Medior Environmental Law Lawyer, you will act as an important legal sparring partner within the organisation. You will support the Built Environment Permits (VGO) and Built Environment Supervision and Enforcement (THBO) teams with complex and politically/administratively sensitive matters. You will advise on permit applications, draft complex legal decisions and handle cases that may create legal precedent. You will combine strong legal expertise with administrative sensitivity and a solution-oriented approach. You will also contribute to the wider team by sharing knowledge, coaching colleagues and reviewing decisions from a legal perspective.
Responsibilities
- Advise senior case managers and coordinators on complex permit applications.
- Draft legal responses to objections/comments in complex and politically sensitive cases.
- Draft complex refusals of permit applications.
- Prepare and draft enforcement decisions, including:
-Orders subject to a penalty for non-compliance
-Administrative enforcement orders
-Administrative fines
- Review official reports and findings for legal soundness, proportionality and effectiveness.
- Handle complex and politically sensitive cases that may have precedent-setting implications.
- Support appeal and higher appeal proceedings.
- Coordinate with the objections department on legal matters.
- Provide input for policy changes, regulations and legal texts.
- Assess new policies for legal feasibility and practical implementation.
- Act as a subject-matter contact for fellow lawyers.
- Contribute to knowledge sharing, peer review and legal quality assurance.
Work Environment
You will work within the Legal Affairs and Advisory team of the VTH department. The team supports the Built Environment Permits and Built Environment Supervision and Enforcement departments with a wide range of legal matters. The working environment is professional, energetic and solution-oriented. You will work closely with lawyers, permit officers, inspectors and other specialists who are committed to maintaining a safe and liveable city.
Qualifications
- A completed university-level (WO) law degree.
- Extensive experience as a lawyer within the field of Permits, Supervision and Enforcement (VTH).
- Knowledge of environmental/planning law (Omgevingsrecht) and administrative law.
- Experience handling complex permit, objection and enforcement procedures.
- Experience dealing with politically/administratively sensitive cases.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience coaching colleagues and sharing knowledge.
Required Skills
- Legally strong with solid subject-matter expertise.
- Analytical and able to carefully balance different interests.
- Decisive and solution-oriented.
- An effective communicator at different organisational levels.
- A natural sparring partner for colleagues and management.
- Collaborative and collegial.
- Politically/administratively sensitive and aware of the wider organisational environment.
- Able to explain complex legal matters clearly and understandably.
Important Working Arrangements
Hybrid working is possible. The team generally works at least 50% of the time from the office. During the onboarding period, you are expected to be in the office at least four days per week. Attendance is expected for important meetings and events. You must be able to be present at the office before 09:00 when required.
