Head of Legal (F/M)

Job description

VINCI Highways won the BR-040 tolled highway concession in Brazil between Belo Horizonte and Cristalina. The 30-year concession contract includes the expansion, financing, operation and maintenance of the BR-040 highway in Brazil, connecting the cities of Cristalina, in the state of Goiás, and Belo Horizonte, capital of Minas Gerias. The newly created company will have to be staffed with 650 employees before January 31st 2025.

VINCI Highways is now looking to hire an excellent Head of Legal & Compliance (F/M) for the Concessionária da Rodovia Belo-Horizonte – Cristalina (the “Concessionaire”).

The successful candidate will be responsible for all legal & compliance matters of the Concessionaire to ensure that the company operates in compliance with law at all times and protect the firm from unnecessary legal, contractual and regulatory risk.

The candidate will report to the CEO of the Concessionaire and will work in close cooperation with VINCI Concessions’ legal and compliance departments based in France.

• Maintaining responsibility for and managing all aspects of the legal and compliance function related to the activities of the Concessionaire;

• Provide expert and strategic advice to the senior management team on all relevant legal, regulatory, and compliance matters relevant to the business of the Concessionaire;

• Support the Concessionaire’s other internal functions on all legal and contractual matters, providing direction and counsel regarding compliance with all applicable laws and regulations,

• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of contracts, including construction contracts, O&M contracts, service contracts, purchase contracts, etc;

• Develop and implement appropriate standards, procedures and documentation, incl. as regards contract drafting and management; 

• Acting as company secretary, including keeping minutes of the meetings of the governing bodies of the Concessionaire, maintaining the Concessionaire’s corporate records, be responsible for registering any corporate acts before public bodies as required;

• Advise on the strategy and manage claims, disputes, litigation and administrative procedures, including those relating to regulatory. construction, tax and employment/labor law matters;

• Selection and management of external legal advisors;   

• Collaborate closely with internal teams (finance, construction and operations) to ensure the Concessionaire’s internal legal function supports the Concessionaire’s operational and strategic goals;

• Stay informed on relevant legal, regulatory, and industry developments to anticipate and manage potential legal and regulatory risks;

• Ensure that ethical, data protection & corporate governance policies are implemented and maintained in accordance with both VINCI Highways’ standards and Brazilian requirements;

• Responsible for all insurance matters, including contracting and renewing insurance policies in line with Concessionaire’s insurance program,...

Desired profile

• Law degree; qualification before a Brazilian Bar; postgraduate qualifications would be an advantage.
• Minimum of 10 years of legal experience, ideally within the infrastructure, construction concession, or public-private partnership sectors
• Deep knowledge of Brazilian legal frameworks applicable to the infrastructure sector, including public & private laws, labor law , and corporate law.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to advise and influence senior leadership. 
• Strong leadership capabilities, with experience in managing cross-functional teams and complex legal projects.
• Languages: Fluency in Portuguese and English (written and spoken) is mandatory.

About VINCI Highways

VINCI Highways, filiale de VINCI Concessions, est un leader des concessions, opérations et services de mobilité routière. VINCI Highways conçoit, finance, construit et opère des autoroutes, réseaux urbains, ponts, tunnels et services routiers digitaux sur un réseau de 3 360 km dans 15 pays. VINCI Highways met à profit son savoir-faire pour garantir les meilleurs standards de performance et de sécurité et assurer une expérience positive aux automobilistes.