Analyst Legal Counsel - Global Procurement

Analyst Legal Counsel - Global Procurement

Location: Madrid Hybrid

Reporting to: Senior Legal Counsel - Global Procurement

About Swissport

We are a global leader in sustainable and responsible airport services provision, renowned for our unwavering commitment to safety, operational excellence, and exceptional service, shaping a future where air travel thrives on reliability, efficiency, and experience.

In 2023, with the support of more than 60,000 colleagues, Swissport provided best-in-class airport ground services for some 232 million airline passengers and handled roughly 4.7 million tons of air freight at 115 cargo centres. Across a global network that is unparalleled in the industry, Swissport served airlines at 286 airports in 44 countries across six continents.

The culture of Swissport is shaped by our corporate values, which guide our actions and decision-making processes. These values are at the core of our culture, shaping our business and underpinning our commitment to measuring our impact. They capture the essence of who we are at Swissport and help us deliver value across the entire company.

"Show You Care" underlines that our actions are perceived and valued from the perspective of the people around us. So, whatever we do, we do it purposefully and consciously, taking in the perspective of our colleagues, customers, and passengers.

“Doing the right things” means that we do the things that are valuable to our colleagues, customers, and passengers. We are trained to do this safely and trusted to do the right thing in any given situation.

"Win as a Team" highlights the importance of teamwork. Either we win as a team, or we fall as individuals. Together, we can surpass ourselves and handle any situation.

These values capture the essence of who we are and our unwavering commitment to excellence, and give actionable guidance for individual behaviour of employees, leaders, and executives, serving as a compass for how to act and deliver.

Job Summary

The role will support Global Procurement function by reviewing, drafting, and advising on procurement and commercial contracts across Swissport’s international operations. Working under the guidance of the Senior Legal Counsel, Global Procurement, this role contributes to the delivery of high-quality legal and contract management services to Swissport Procurement Department.

The successful candidate will help ensure that procurement contracts are negotiated and executed in accordance with Swissport’s policies and procedures, support compliance with corporate legal initiatives, and assist regional lawyers with contractual and legal matters related to procurement.

Job Responsibilities:

• Contract Review and Legal Advice
  • Review and draft global and regional procurement contracts and related legal documentation under the supervision of the Senior Legal Counsel, Global Procurement.
  • Provide day-to-day legal advice to Procurement Managers and relevant stakeholders on contractual matters, risk identification, and risk mitigation strategies.
  • Assist in the review and negotiation of procurement contracts with suppliers, ensuring alignment with Swissport’s policies, procedures, and commercial objectives.
  • Support the analysis of legal and contractual issues, including matters related to data privacy laws and regulations, and escalate complex questions as appropriate.
  • Draft legal documents, including notifications and legal letters, in connection with contract administration and pre-litigation matters.
  • Support procurement-related contracts for the Lounges Division, including construction agreements, design contracts, and other project-related documentation during business development projects.

• Contract Management and Compliance
  • Assist with the maintenance and administration of the Global Procurement Contract Database, ensuring that all agreements are accurately recorded and stored.
  • Support monitoring and compliance activities within the Procurement Department, helping to ensure adherence to internal policies, processes, and procedures.
  • Contribute to the development and updating of standard contract templates and playbooks, ensuring they can be used efficiently across regions.
  • Help track third-party spend coverage under formal agreements and support initiatives to improve contract coverage across Swissport’s global operations.
  • Support the implementation/enhancement of Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) tools including process mapping, user testing, and adoption initiatives.
  • Support the standardization of legal frameworks and processes across the Legal Department.
  • Knowledge Sharing and Training Support
  • Assist in preparing, maintaining, and disseminating legal documents, guidance materials, and information related to procurement contracts.
  • Support the preparation and delivery of training sessions on procurement contracts, legal issues, and internal policies and procedures to procurement and business teams.
  • Contribute to knowledge-sharing initiatives that promote compliance and improve contract management skills across the organization.
  • Provide updates to Procurement and Lounges organization on relevant legislative and jurisprudential developments across Europe (i.e. ESG and other).

• Coordination and Collaboration
  • Work closely with Procurement Managers and internal stakeholders on contractual and legal matters related to procurement activities.
  • Support the Senior Legal Counsel in coordinating with regional lawyers who provide procurement legal support in various jurisdictions.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including procurement, finance, and compliance, to ensure cohesive and compliant contract processes.
  • Support the identification and follow-up of external legal counsel engaged on complex matters and litigation.

Qualifications and Competencies:

• Education and Experience
  • Bachelor and Master’s degree in Law (or equivalent qualification recognized in the relevant jurisdiction). An EU or Swiss law qualification (civil law, contract law, international law) is considered an advantage.
  • 3–5 years of relevant legal experience, preferably including experience in a corporate legal department or law firm advising on procurement, commercial contracts, or supply chain matters.
  • Experience working in an international, multicultural environment is highly desirable.

• Technical Skills
  • Solid understanding of legal and contractual issues arising in procurement, including familiarity with data privacy laws and regulations.
  • Ability to understand legal concepts and translate them into practical guidance and training materials for non-legal audiences.
  • B2C (business-to-consumer) contracts and consumer-facing commercial arrangements is desirable as well for ad hoc support to Legal Department.
  • Familiarity with AI tools, legal technology platforms, and contract management systems (including CLM databases), with the ability to leverage these tools to enhance efficiency and quality of legal work.
  • Proficient in standard IT tools, including MS Word, Excel, Teams, and PowerPoint.

• Personal Competencies
  • High level of energy, proactive, hands-on approach, and excellent organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize effectively, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in legal work.
  • Effective communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively within multicultural and cross-functional teams.
  • Business-oriented mindset with a proactive, solution-oriented approach and willingness to learn and develop professionally.
  • Results-oriented and service-driven approach to supporting internal clients.

• Languages
  • Fluent spoken and written business English (including legal and commercial terminology) is required (C2).
  • Proficiency in Spanish is highly desirable given the Madrid location.
  • Additional languages are considered an advantage.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent.  It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent.  Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.