Legal Counsel (Befristete Mutterschaftsvertretung) – Hapimag, Steinhausen, Zug

Why Hapimag’s Maternity Cover Role Is More Than a Temporary Stopgap

For many legal professionals, a fixed-term contract might initially appear as a mere bridge between permanent roles. But when the position is with Hapimag—a Swiss-based holiday property sharing community that owns 56 resorts and more than 5,000 apartments across Europe—the opportunity carries far greater strategic weight. Hapimag is not a faceless corporation; it is a community-driven enterprise where the legal team operates as a strategic partner ensuring that holiday experiences remain seamless and legally sound. The maternity cover role for a Legal Counsel in Steinhausen, Zug, is therefore a deep immersion into international corporate law, contract management, construction law, and regulatory compliance, all within the vibrant travel and leisure sector.

This is not a role for passive lawyers. Hapimag’s own description makes clear that the legal department sees itself as an enabler of business goals, translating complex legal frameworks into intuitive, legally secure processes for guests and employees alike. For an ambitious legal professional, this means gaining hands-on exposure to high-stakes decision-making, cross-border legal issues, and the practical application of law in a commercial setting—all while enjoying a high degree of autonomy.

“Wir verstehen uns als strategische Partner, die das Urlaubserlebnis unserer Aktionäre und Mitglieder durch rechtliche Exzellenz und pragmatische Lösungen sicherstellen.”

This sentence from the job posting captures the essence of modern in-house legal work: law is not an abstract discipline but a tool for enabling business while mitigating risk. For someone looking to build a career as an in-house counsel, this fixed-term role is an ideal launching pad.

Inside the Role: A Day in the Life of Hapimag’s Legal Counsel

The job responsibilities are deliberately broad, reflecting the multifunctional nature of in-house legal work at a mid-sized international group. You will not be siloed into one narrow practice area. Instead, you will act as a business partner to operational departments and various international group companies, advising on all legal aspects that arise in day-to-day operations.

The core tasks include:

• Contract Management: Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating agreements, particularly order contracts, works contracts, and IT contracts. This is the bread-and-butter of corporate legal work and requires precision, commercial awareness, and negotiation skill.
• Focus Areas: Handling legal cases in corporate law, contract law, and private construction law. Hapimag owns and operates resorts, so construction and property-related legal issues are naturally significant.
• Compliance & Regulatory: Conducting regulatory assessments for Switzerland and Hapimag’s markets, especially in financial market law and consumer protection. This adds a layer of complexity that will appeal to lawyers interested in regulatory affairs.
• Coordination: Managing relationships with external law firms across borders, which develops your ability to supervise outside counsel and manage budgets.

The contract runs from September 2026 to the end of May 2027, with a workload of 80–100%. This structure offers flexibility for individuals who may have family commitments or wish to pursue parallel academic interests. But make no mistake: the intensity of the work is comparable to a permanent role, and the learning curve is steep.

Who Should Apply? Unpacking the Swiss Legal Profile

Hapimag is looking for a lawyer with a completed Swiss law degree (Master of Law / lic. iur.) or an equivalent qualification. In the Swiss legal market, the classic path involves a law degree from a Swiss university, followed by practical training and possibly a bar exam (Anwaltspatent). While the bar admission is not strictly mandatory, it is 'ideally' expected, which signals that candidates with a strong academic background but practical in-house experience are also welcome.

The experience requirement is set at 3–5 years, either in-house or in a law firm. This is a crucial sweet spot: you are not a junior who needs constant supervision, but you are also not a veteran who may be overqualified for a fixed-term assignment. If you have spent those years handling contracts and corporate matters, you will find this role perfectly aligned with your skill set.

Language proficiency is non-negotiable: stylistically secure German and English at C1 level. In Switzerland, German is the working language for many corporate legal teams, and English is essential for dealing with international group companies and external counsels. Additional languages, such as French or Italian, are a plus—given Hapimag’s European footprint.

The job posting also mentions a preference for candidates with knowledge of construction and corporate law. If you have handled real estate or construction matters—even as part of a broader practice—you should emphasise this in your application. Similarly, experience with AI tools like Gemini or ChatGPT is listed as a plus, reflecting the modern, forward-thinking culture of the legal department.

How to Land This Role: CV and Interview Strategies

To stand out for a fixed-term maternity cover role, you need to demonstrate not only technical competence but also the ability to hit the ground running. Hapimag has stated that they will only consider direct applications with valid Swiss residence and work permits, so do not waste time if you do not already have the right to work in Switzerland. This requirement is non-negotiable and is designed to avoid the lengthy visa sponsorship process for a temporary cover.

Your CV should be tailored to emphasise:

• Transaction experience: list specific types of contracts you have drafted or negotiated, with particular attention to IT, works, and order agreements.
• Regulatory projects: highlight any exposure to financial market regulation, consumer protection, or compliance frameworks.
• Construction law: even if it was only part of your practice, show how you managed construction-related disputes or contracts.
• Language skills: clearly state your German and English proficiency levels, and mention any additional languages.
• Tech-savviness: if you have used AI tools to improve legal workflows, describe it concretely. For example, “Implemented ChatGPT to streamline contract review checklists, reducing review time by 20%.”

During the interview, expect questions that test your commercial judgment. Hapimag explicitly wants someone who can translate complex legal issues into practical, business-friendly solutions. Be prepared to discuss a time when you had to advise a non-legal stakeholder on a legal risk, or how you would handle a dispute with a contractor in a resort renovation project. Also expect questions on collaboration: the role requires coordinating with external lawyers across countries, so demonstrate your cross-cultural communication skills.

“Sicheres Urteilsvermögen und Fähigkeit, komplexe juristische Sachverhalte in praxisorientierte und businessnahe Lösungen zu übersetzen.”

This line from the posting is the key to the interview. Use your examples to show you are not just a legal technician but a pragmatic problem-solver.

The Bigger Picture: In-House vs. Law Firm Career Trajectory

Taking a fixed-term in-house role can be a strategic career move for lawyers coming from private practice. It allows you to experience the client-side perspective without making a permanent commitment. You will learn how legal advice is received by business operators, how to manage external counsel, and how to align legal strategy with corporate objectives. At the end of nine months, you will have concrete examples of 'business partnering' to add to your CV—something that is highly attractive to future employers, whether in-house or in a law firm.

For lawyers who are already in-house, this role offers a chance to work in the travel and leisure industry, which has unique regulatory and contractual challenges. Hapimag offers hybrid working with up to 40% home office, plus the unusual perk of occasionally working from one of its holiday resorts. That benefit alone is a conversation starter and a reflection of the company’s values.

Moreover, this position sits at 'Management' level on LinkedIn, which indicates that you will have significant responsibility. Even though it is a temporary cover, the experience of running a busy legal practice independently is invaluable. You will be trusted to manage legal cases without hand-holding, and your success can lead to strong references or even future openings within the Hapimag group. The company is also actively hiring for a permanent Legal Counsel focusing on data protection, as seen in their recent postings—so a strong performance in this role could open doors.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need a Swiss bar exam to apply for the Hapimag Legal Counsel position?

No, the Swiss bar exam (Anwaltspatent) is not listed as a mandatory requirement. Hapimag asks for a completed Swiss law degree (Master of Law or lic. iur.) or a comparable qualification, and a bar admission is described as 'ideal'. Practical experience of 3–5 years is more important, so candidates with strong in-house experience but no formal bar admission can apply.

2. Is the role open to lawyers who do not currently have a Swiss work permit?

No. The job posting explicitly states that only direct applications with a valid Swiss residence and work permit will be considered. This is because the position is a fixed-term maternity cover, and the employer does not intend to sponsor a work visa. Therefore, you must have existing permission to work in Switzerland at the time of application.

3. What are the main legal practice areas I should highlight in my application?

You should highlight contract drafting and negotiation, especially in the areas of works contracts, IT contracts, and order agreements. Knowledge of corporate law and private construction law is specifically mentioned as an advantage. Additionally, any experience with regulatory assessments, financial market law, or consumer protection will strengthen your candidacy.

4. How can I apply and what is the application deadline?

The original application link is not specified in the publicly available job posting, but candidates are directed to fill out the website form on Hapimag’s careers page. It is recommended to visit Hapimag’s official careers website or LinkedIn page for the direct application link. The deadline is also not specified, so you should apply as soon as possible—job listings indicate that the position was posted recently and encourages early applications.