VB Spine hiring Assistant General Counsel in European Union

In the fast-evolving European Union legal landscape, an unexpected opportunity has emerged for senior transactional attorneys: VB Spine, a medical equipment manufacturer focused on spinal surgery, is hiring an Assistant General Counsel to join its expanding in-house legal team. This fully remote role is open to candidates based in France, the UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Poland, and it offers a rare combination of substantive corporate/commercial work, cross-functional collaboration, and the mission-driven satisfaction of supporting life-changing surgical procedures. For legal professionals who have spent years in large law firms and are seeking a more integrated, business-facing role, this position deserves close attention.

Why This In-House Role Is a Rare Gem in the European Legal Market

The legal profession is witnessing a structural shift. According to industry analyses, a growing number of senior associates and partners are leaving private practice for in-house roles, driven by a desire for faster decision-making, direct business impact, and a more sustainable work-life balance. What makes VB Spine's vacancy particularly compelling is the industry context: the medical device sector is one of the most heavily regulated and legally complex industries in Europe, and the company is specialised in spine surgery—a field that demands meticulous legal oversight across tenders, distribution agreements, and clinical compliance.

"At VB Spine, you’ll be part of a mission-focused team that supports surgeons during life-changing spinal procedures," the job posting notes.

That mission-driven ethos is not just window dressing. For a lawyer, in-house roles in medtech offer a unique vantage point where contract law, regulatory affairs, and business strategy converge. The chosen candidate will not merely be a back-office legal advisor; they will be a strategic partner in commercial transactions, corporate governance, and internal policy-making. In a dynamic company like VB Spine, the General Counsel's office is often at the centre of every major business initiative, giving the Assistant General Counsel exposure to M&A, financing, and employment matters that would take years to encounter at a traditional law firm.

Decoding the Must-Have Credentials: It's Not Just Any Lawyer

The job description is clear about the profile: this is not an entry-level position. The ideal candidate must possess a university law degree (preferably a JD), and a minimum of 12+ years of experience, including at least 2 years at a nationally recognised law firm with a focus on corporate, transactional, or commercial law. The requirement for a "medical device background with spine specialization" is a non-negotiable filter—a sign that VB Spine is looking for someone who understands the nuances of surgical technology, reimbursement frameworks, and healthcare tenders.

Here are the key skills and qualifications the company explicitly demands:

• Contract drafting, review, and negotiation across a wide range of agreements: tenders, GPOI, distribution, NDAs, vendor/supplier, SaaS, and services.
• Corporate governance and entity management across multiple European jurisdictions.
• Employment and works council matters, a highly sensitive area in many EU countries.
• Experience supporting M&A, financing, or strategic transactions.
• Process improvement, policy development, and legal operations.

In addition, the company highlights the need for "excellent judgment, organization, and communication skills" and the ability to "balance legal risks with business needs." This is a classic profile of a legal generalist who can act as a utility player—someone comfortable drafting a SaaS agreement in the morning, advising HR on a works council issue in the afternoon, and troubleshooting a compliance question before a tender deadline the next day.

A Day in the Life: The Utility Player Mentality

The "What You'll Do" section paints the picture of a multifaceted role. The Assistant General Counsel will be the primary legal contact for corporate, commercial, and transactional matters, working cross-functionally with Finance, HR, Operations, and IT. They will also collaborate with outside counsel and help scale the legal function as the company grows. This is a role for someone who enjoys variety rather than a narrow specialisation—and for a candidate coming from a large law firm, it offers the chance to see the full lifecycle of deals and disputes rather than a single slice.

From Big Law to Medical Devices: A Career Migration Blueprint

For senior associates and partners contemplating a move to industry, this role represents a perfect springboard. The transition from private practice to in-house requires a shift in mindset: from billable hours to business outcomes, from legal risk aversion to pragmatic risk-taking. VB Spine's post explicitly says, "We are open to applicants based in France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Poland, and offer a fully remote work environment." Remote work removes the relocation barrier, making it accessible to lawyers across the EU who are comfortable working from home.

But how do you stand out? Here are three preparation strategies:

1. Tailor your CV to highlight transactional breadth – Emphasise your experience with commercial contracts, and include details about your deal sizes and industries. If you have exposure to healthcare or medical devices, make it unmissable.
2. Showcase your ability to train and mentor – The role expects you to "improve legal workflows, templates, and internal processes." If you have built contract templates or led knowledge management initiatives, provide concrete examples.
3. Demonstrate EU regulatory fluency – With entity management and employment law across EU countries, mention your experience with cross-border compliance (e.g., GDPR, MDR, or local works councils).

"We are looking for driven individuals ready to learn quickly, adapt under pressure, and grow in a dynamic, fast-paced environment," the posting adds.

This line signals that the company values cultural fit as much as technical skill. A candidate who can convey resilience and intellectual curiosity in the application will likely move forward.

Crafting an Application That Stands Out in a Remote-First Environment

Since the application is likely through LinkedIn (the hosting platform), the first step is to update your LinkedIn profile to mirror the language of the job description. Use keywords like "corporate," "transactions," "commercial contracts," "medical device," and "European Union" to enhance discoverability. Since the posting was only live two days ago and already has 36 applicants, acting quickly is essential.

When you click "Apply," be prepared to submit a professionally formatted resume and a targeted cover letter. The cover letter should not recap your CV; instead, it should tell a story: why you are passionate about the medtech industry, how your law firm experience translates into in-house value, and why VB Spine's mission resonates with you. If you have a personal connection to spine surgery—perhaps a family member benefitted from such technology—that is worth mentioning.

Pro tip: LinkedIn's system may show you who from your network works at VB Spine. If you know someone in the company, a warm referral can increase your chances by 2x, as the platform notes.

The Remote Work Reality: What It Means for the Right Candidate

Fully remote positions in the EU come with their own set of legal and practical considerations. The company is accepting applicants from six countries, which suggests it has already established entity structures and payroll mechanisms in those jurisdictions. For the candidate, the benefits are obvious: no relocation costs, the ability to maintain quality of life, and the freedom to work from anywhere in the country of residence. However, it also demands self-discipline and asynchronous communication skills, especially if the legal team is spread across time zones.

"We believe in growing talent from within. At VB Spine, you’ll get the training, mentorship, and support you need to build a strong foundation in the medical sales field," the company concludes.

That final statement underscores the organisation's commitment to professional growth. For a seasoned attorney, this could mean a pathway to General Counsel within a few years, especially as the company scales internationally.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is this role open to candidates outside the listed EU countries?

The posting specifically states that applicants must be based in France, the UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, or Poland, and the position is fully remote. If you reside in another EU country, the company may not have the legal infrastructure to employ you, so it's best to check with the recruiter or apply only if you meet the geographic requirement.

2. What does "medical device background with spine specialization" mean?

This is likely a request for professional or subject-matter experience in the medical device sector, particularly involving spinal products. This could include prior in-house roles at medical device firms, representing medtech clients at a law firm, or transactional experience with exposure to regulatory matters for medical devices (e.g., EU Medical Device Regulation). If your background is not direct, you should still consider applying if you can demonstrate transferable expertise and strong learning agility.

3. Is a JD from a US law school acceptable, or do you need a European law degree?

The job asks for a "university degree in law, preferably Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school." While a JD is explicitly preferred, a European law degree (e.g., LLB or LLM) is certainly acceptable, especially considering the EU-wide scope of the role. The company seems to value a strong academic foundation and practical experience over the specific credential.

4. How can I increase my chances if I don’t have the exact 12+ years of experience?

Although 12+ years is stated, the role is at the mid-senior level, which sometimes allows a range of 10–15 years. If you have less, you can still apply if your experience directly aligns with the responsibilities. Highlight your contract negotiation portfolio and any industry-specific expertise. It is always better to over-communicate your value than to self-eliminate.