Senior Associate/Legal Director Customs

Customs is no longer just about moving goods across borders. It increasingly sits at the intersection of tax, trade policy, geopolitics and global supply chains. We are looking for an experienced customs professional who wants to help multinational clients navigate that complexity and play an active role in growing our Customs & International Trade practice in Amsterdam.

The role

You will work directly with multinational clients on a broad range of sophisticated customs matters. The role offers considerable responsibility and the opportunity to take ownership of client relationships and matters, while working closely with experienced colleagues in Amsterdam and customs and trade specialists across Baker McKenzie globally.

Depending on your experience and interests, your work will include:

- Advising multinational companies on EU and Dutch customs law and the customs implications of international supply chains;
- Advising on customs valuation, tariff classification and origin, as well as customs procedures and special procedures;
- Supporting clients in the design, implementation and optimization of international supply chains and customs structures;
- Assisting clients with customs audits, investigations, voluntary disclosures, administrative proceedings and disputes with customs authorities;
- Working with colleagues in Tax, VAT, Transfer Pricing, Commercial and International Trade on multidisciplinary projects;
- Developing practical and commercially workable strategies that translate complex customs rules into solutions for clients;
- Building and maintaining strong client relationships and actively contributing to the further development of our Customs & International Trade practice.

What you bring

We are looking for someone who combines strong customs expertise with curiosity, judgment and a commercial mindset.

Ideally, you:

- Have several years of relevant experience in customs advisory work, gained at a law firm, professional services firm, customs authority, multinational company or comparable environment;
- Have a strong understanding of EU customs law and its application to international supply chains;
- Have experience in areas such as customs valuation, classification, origin, customs procedures and/or customs disputes;
- Enjoy working directly with clients and are able to understand the commercial context behind the legal or customs question;
- Are pragmatic and solution-oriented and know how to turn complex technical issues into clear, actionable advice;
- Have an entrepreneurial mindset and are interested in contributing to client development and the growth of the practice;
- Enjoy taking responsibility for matters and working independently, while actively collaborating with colleagues;
- Thrive in an international and multidisciplinary environment and enjoy working across offices and jurisdictions;
- Have excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Dutch.

At Baker McKenzie we are different in the way we think, work and behave. With our team of 13,000 people, including over 6,500 locally admitted lawyers, in over 70 offices worldwide, we have a passionately collaborative community of 60 nationalities and are committed to world-class career development to everyone in every job at every level. Baker McKenzie can offer you both the uncompromising commitment to excellence expected of a top firm paired with a passionately global and genuinely collaborative working environment.

What we offer

You will join an established international firm while becoming part of a close-knit and ambitious Amsterdam team. The position offers the opportunity to work on sophisticated cross-border matters for leading multinational companies and to develop your own profile within our international Customs & International Trade practice.

We offer an environment with significant scope for client responsibility, professional development and entrepreneurship. You will work with customs, tax and trade specialists across Baker McKenzie and have the opportunity to contribute actively to the future development of the Amsterdam and international practice.

To Apply

At Baker McKenzie we welcome direct applications.

Please click on the Apply icon to start the online application process for this role. We will then be in touch with you once we have reviewed your application.

For more information about this position or to discuss any adjustments you may require during the process please contact in confidence, Evelyn Ravesteijn, Recruitment Manager, on +31 6 42339483 or [email protected].