Paralegal Corporate and Governance - EMEA Strategic Functions

Job purpose:

We are seeking an experienced Paralegal Professional to join our legal department based at our headquarters in Belgium. The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of legal principles, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to manage various tasks in a fast-paced environment. As Paralegal: Corporate and Governance, you will coordinate corporate matters and formalities in relation to the preparation and conduct of the meetings of the Board of Directors and shareholders of Bridgestone Europe, Middle East & Africa (BSEMEA) as well as provide support on Belgian related corporate matters to the subsidiaries of BSEMEA, under the supervision of internal BSEMEA lawyers. 

What we offer you:

You will be part of a dynamic, diverse and international team of Strategic Functions legal professionals.  Reporting to the Legal and Compliance Director responsible for Strategic Function, you will have direct access to the Legal Leadership Team in a department of over 40 lawyers across EMEA.  And you will be able to tap into a global legal community of over 200 lawyers and compliance professionals across the world, offering plenty of training, coaching and personal development opportunities.

You will further have exposure to our EMEA Management and Supervisory Boards, as primary advisor on Belgian Corporate law matters. With your seat in our brand new, modern offices in BSEMIA’s headquarters in Zaventem, Belgium, you will sit in the heart of a successful international business with over 20.000 teammates in 30+ countries across our region. Also, we offer flex working up to 3 days per week.

Your main responsibilities:

• Ensure compliance with all corporate formalities for all Bridgestone entities in Belgium including, but not limited to, preparing materials for board meetings, drafting and filing company decisions and resolutions, legal representative nominations and dismissals, reviewing powers of attorneys and other corporate documents and providing training to the legal representatives and directors of BSEMIA entities.

• Effectively direct and educate the Shared Service Center resources and department legal coordinator with respect to corporate formalities activities including activities required by branches and subsidiary entities in the EMEA sales region.

• Effectively use the company’s software platforms to support corporate governance efforts.

• Participate in special projects and initiatives as assigned by the Legal and Compliance Director: Strategic Functions

• Work closely with the Strategic Function teammates to provide general administrative support

• Draft correspondence and amendments to documents; work closely with Counsels and business units to respond to any requests, preparing documentation and managing files

• Maintain all legal files and retrieve archived files/information as requested

• Manage all legal correspondence at Belgian Headquarters to ensure timely response, appropriate prioritization and attention by Strategic Function legal team

• Accurately follow complex processes for handling legal matters in a compliant manner

What we expect from you:

• Minimum 5 years of demonstrated corporate experience in a multinational or professional business environment.

• Fluency in English and Dutch and the ability to communicate professionally in French is a plus.

• Good knowledge of Belgian corporate law and regulations.

• Strong understanding of legal concepts and terminology, with the ability to conduct legal research and analysis independently.

• Strong time management skills. 

• Strong oral and written English communication skills, including grammar and composition.

• Excellent PC skills with advanced level skills in all Microsoft Office applications (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook Mail) and previous demonstrated experience navigating the Internet effectively.

• Demonstrated experience working on multiple projects with more than one team member simultaneously, adjusting to changing priorities and follow through on all assignments.

• Must be able to maintain security of highly confidential information—discretion and confidentiality required.

• Must be able to work self-directed with an ability to multi-task.

• Must be willing and able to flex work hours periodically based on business needs.

• Integrity: Must accept and adhere to high ethical, moral, and personal values in decisions, communications, actions, and when dealing with others.

Our Behaviors:

• Agility – to work in a matrix and complex environment where change happens at a rapid pace.

• Courage – to share ideas, think out of the box.

• Ownership – to see the bigger picture and take ownership by thinking and acting beyond the role.