Senior Legal Counsel at Hilti España (Madrid)

Why This Senior Legal Counsel Role at Hilti Demands Your Attention

In the rapidly evolving world of construction and infrastructure, legal counsel has moved from a back-office function to a strategic business partner. The Senior Legal Counsel position at Hilti España is not just another in-house legal role—it is an invitation to operate at the intersection of law, innovation, and global business. Hilti, a global leader in construction technology with over 34,000 team members across 120 countries, is seeking a pragmatic and business-oriented lawyer to support its operations across Spain and Portugal. This role is designed for legal professionals who thrive in dynamic B2B environments and are ready to handle everything from routine commercial contracts to complex, high-stakes infrastructure projects.

“Acting as a trusted business partner, you will work at the heart of Hilti's business, supporting both routine operations and complex strategic projects.” — Hilti España

If you are considering a career move into international in-house legal work, this opportunity deserves a place at the top of your list. Below, we break down the role, the ideal candidate profile, and how you can position yourself to win this position.

Inside the Day-to-Day: More Than Just Contract Review

The job description paints a vivid picture of what a Senior Legal Counsel at Hilti actually does. It is not a role for someone who prefers the quiet predictability of a law firm library. Instead, you will be embedded in the commercial heartbeat of the organization. Your primary mission is to enable business while protecting Hilti from legal and compliance risks.

Commercial Contracts and Legal Support is the foundation. You will draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of B2B agreements—customer contracts, supplier agreements, and service contracts. You will also be responsible for developing and maintaining terms and conditions, templates, and legal playbooks. This requires a deep understanding of commercial law and the ability to draft clauses that are both legally sound and commercially practical.

• Tenders & Strategic Projects: You will support public and private tenders, RFQs, and RFPs. This means reviewing tender documentation, negotiating customer terms, and advising on framework agreements. The role specifically mentions projects in the energy, industrial, infrastructure, and data center sectors—so experience with large-scale capital projects is highly valuable.
• Disputes & Risk Management: When disputes arise, you will manage pre-litigation matters and coordinate external counsel. You will also play a proactive role in identifying and mitigating legal risks before they escalate.
• Compliance & Ethics: Hilti expects its legal team to champion compliance. You will support activities related to GDPR, competition law, business ethics, anti-harassment, trade compliance, and export controls. This is not just about knowing the rules; it is about creating a culture of compliance across the organization.
• Training & Stakeholder Management: The role requires you to deliver legal training to commercial and operational teams, helping them understand legal boundaries and make sound decisions. You will also build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, acting as a trusted advisor to business leaders.

In short, this is a role for a lawyer who is comfortable wearing multiple hats: contract negotiator, risk manager, compliance officer, and educator.

The Ideal Candidate: A Profile of Success

Hilti is not looking for a fresh graduate. The role demands a qualified lawyer with a Master's degree in Law and at least 5 years of experience in-house or in a law firm. But the experience itself is not enough—it must be the right kind of experience. The job description emphasizes exposure to B2B environments serving customers in construction, energy, industry, infrastructure, manufacturing, technical services, or large projects.

That is a tall order, but there is a reason for it. The legal challenges in these sectors are unique. You need to understand not just the law, but also the business models, supply chains, and risk profiles of large industrial projects. If you have negotiated EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) contracts, worked on framework agreements, or advised on data center projects, you will instantly stand out.

Language skills are non-negotiable. While the role is based in Madrid, the working language is English. You must be fluent in English to collaborate with legal colleagues across Europe and to handle global contracts. Spanish is likely essential for day-to-day operations in Spain and Portugal, though the posting does not explicitly state it—but it is heavily implied given the location.

On the personal side, Hilti is looking for someone who is pragmatic, solution-oriented, and commercially minded. The ability to translate complex legal concepts into practical business guidance is key. You must be autonomous, proactive, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. This is not a role for someone who needs constant supervision; Hilti wants a self-starter who can own their workstreams from day one.

Why Hilti? The Strategic Value of This Role

Taking this role is not just about landing a job—it is about investing in your long-term career trajectory. Here is what Hilti offers that makes this opportunity particularly compelling:

• High Visibility: As a Senior Legal Counsel, you will interact directly with business leaders and contribute to strategic decisions. This visibility is invaluable for career advancement.
• Broad Exposure: You will handle a wide range of legal matters—commercial, contractual, project, and compliance. This breadth of experience will make you a well-rounded lawyer, highly sought after in the market.
• Global Collaboration: Hilti operates in 120 countries, and you will work closely with legal colleagues across Europe. This global network can open doors to international opportunities later in your career.
• Autonomy and Impact: The role offers significant autonomy, meaning your contributions will have a tangible impact on Hilti's business success.
• Multicultural Environment: You will be part of a diverse, inclusive team that values different perspectives. Hilti's commitment to inclusion is not just a slogan—it shapes how the company works and grows.

“At Hilti, inclusion is a key focus in how we work, lead, and grow together. We are committed to embracing diversity of thought and creating an environment that is inclusive of everyone, everywhere.”

How to Prepare a Winning Application

Given the competitive nature of this role—with over 200 applicants already—you need to craft an application that cuts through the noise. Here are some practical strategies:

1. Tailor Your CV to the Job Description: Use the same keywords as the posting—B2B agreements, tenders, project contracts, GDPR, dispute management. Highlight your specific experience with large-scale infrastructure or construction projects. If you have worked on data center projects or in the energy sector, make that prominent.
2. Write a Compelling Cover Letter: Do not just repeat your CV. Focus on one or two projects where you truly added value through pragmatic legal advice. Emphasize your ability to balance legal risk with business objectives.
3. Showcase Your Soft Skills: Hilti values stakeholder management and communication. Include examples where you trained non-legal teams, influenced key decisions, or led negotiations under pressure.
4. Prepare for Behavioral Interviews: Expect questions like “Tell me about a time you handled a complex commercial dispute” or “How do you prioritize multiple projects?” Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
5. Research Hilti: Understand Hilti's products, markets, and strategic initiatives. Visit their website and read about their “Making Construction Better” purpose. Show that you are genuinely excited about their mission.

The Bottom Line: Is This Role Right for You?

This Senior Legal Counsel role is an exceptional opportunity for a mid-career commercial lawyer looking to make a significant leap in a global, purpose-driven company. It is demanding, but the rewards—both professional and personal—are substantial. If you have the required experience and a passion for construction, technology, and international business, do not let this one pass you by.

Given the high volume of applications, you should apply as soon as possible. Even though no specific deadline is listed, roles like this often close quickly once the right candidate is found. Polish your CV, refine your cover letter, and get ready to take your career to the next level.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is this role based in Madrid, and is remote work possible?

Yes, the role is based in Madrid, Spain. The job posting identifies Madrid as the location and does not mention remote work options. As an in-house counsel supporting Spain and Portugal, you will likely need to be physically present in Hilti's Spanish offices, though some hybrid flexibility may be possible—this is best confirmed during the interview process.

2. Does the role require fluency in Spanish?

The posting explicitly states that English must be fluent and mandatory, but it does not mention Spanish. However, since the role covers Spain and Portugal and is based in Madrid, working proficiency in Spanish is almost certainly required or at least highly preferred. If you are not fluent in Spanish, you should honestly assess your ability to communicate with local stakeholders and consider mentioning your level in your application.

3. What is the most important skill for this role?

Based on the posting, the most critical skill is the ability to act as a pragmatic and business-oriented lawyer. This means you must not only understand the law but also know when to say “yes” and how to suggest alternative solutions that allow the business to move forward. Strong commercial awareness and contract negotiation experience are the foundation, but the differentiator is your ability to manage complex, high-stakes projects with a problem-solving mindset.

4. How can I make my application stand out if I don't have construction industry experience?

While construction-specific experience is advantageous, you can still be a strong candidate if you have experience in other complex B2B sectors like energy, infrastructure, or technology. Emphasize transferable skills such as negotiating framework agreements, handling large-scale disputes, and managing compliance programs in complex regulatory environments. Highlight any experience with data centers or digital construction solutions, as these are strategic areas for Hilti.