In-House Legal Counsel & Governance Officer (all genders)

Our client, Vienna International School - Austria, seeks a

In-House Legal Counsel & Governance Officer (all genders)
Full-time (38.5 hours/week) - as soon as possible

Shape the Legal & Governance Landscape of a Leading International School

Are you an experienced legal professional looking to transition from a traditional law firm or corporate environment into a meaningful, dynamic, and truly international setting?

Vienna International School (VIS) is seeking an exceptional In-House Legal Counsel & Governance Officer. In this high-impact, senior-level role reporting directly to the Board of Governors, Director, and Business Manager, you will serve as our central legal authority. You will protect our institutional integrity, proactively manage legal risk, and help shape the operational policies that support over 1,400 students from around the globe.

Aufgaben

Your core responsibilities

• Strategic Legal Advisory: Provide practical, solutions-oriented legal counsel to the Senior Leadership Team and the Board of Governors on institutional decisions, policy interpretation, and regulatory compliance.
• Commercial Contract Management: Autonomously draft, review, and negotiate material corporate contracts, vendor agreements, and procurement frameworks.
• Data Protection & Forward-Looking Governance: Oversee institutional privacy (GDPR) frameworks, consent management, and establish cutting-edge compliance guidelines for AI-enabled technologies across the school.
• Institutional Governance & Statutes: Manage the Board Policy Manual, advise on Austrian association law (Vereinsrecht), and draft statutory amendments for the Board.
• HR Legal Safety Net: Provide senior, second-level internal legal reviews on complex employment law, works council matters, and sensitive HR disputes in close collaboration with our HR department.

Profil

Your profile

• Qualifications: A completed Austrian law degree (Mag. iur., LL.B., LL.M. or equivalent) with a strong, practical command of Austrian civil, contract, administrative, and association law.
• Experience: Minimum of 4 years of relevant professional legal experience (gained in a law firm, in-house function, public authority, or NGO/non-profit setting).
• Languages: Full professional proficiency in both written and spoken German and English; ability to draft precise legal documentation in both languages is a must.
• Mindset: A pragmatic, collaborative, and risk-aware problem solver who can easily translate complex legal requirements into clear operational guidelines for non-lawyers.

Wir bieten Are you ready to bring your legal expertise to a global community?

What our client offers

• Purpose & Impact: A meaningful, high-level role where your work directly safeguards a diverse, values-driven educational community.
• Work-Life Integration: A welcoming, stable, and highly professional school environment that offers a sustainable alternative to traditional billable-hour corporate cultures.
• Attractive Compensation: Attractive salary classified under Employment Group F of the collective agreement (KV für Angestellte im Handel), featuring a standard 30% school-specific overpayment (starting at a minimum of € 52,402.00 up to € 77,252.00 annual gross salary, with higher placement based on relevant years of experience).
• Holiday entitlement: 30 days annual leave + 4 additional all-staff school holidays
• Additional Benefits: 5% company top-up pension contribution, continuous professional development opportunities, and state-of-the-art campus facilities.

Apply now by sending your CV and cover letter in English via the online career portal from PMC until October 5 th , 2026 (resp. open until filled).

Please note that a valid residence title and work permit for Austria is required.

Vienna International School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment.

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