Join Eaton, a global leader where equality and inclusivity are at the heart of our mission. Here, everyone is valued and belongs. Be part of a team that delivers cutting-edge, energy-efficient solutions, making a tangible impact on the world. We empower our customers to manage electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical energy more effectively, safely, and sustainably. At Eaton, we're dedicated to enhancing quality of life and protecting the environment with our innovative energy management technologies and services.
Our EMEA Business Service Center (BSC) in Budapest is Eaton's largest office in the region. With a diverse team of over 750 people, representing 40+ nationalities and speaking 20+ languages, the BSC is the central hub for business services. It empowers seamless operations and drives exceptional results across our electrical, industrial, and corporate teams. We are proud to be a Disability Friendly Workplace, ensuring an inclusive environment for all our employees.
What you'll do:This senior in-house legal role responsible for leading the end-to-end contracting process for the company's commercial activities in the data center sector. The role sits within the legal function and acts as the primary legal business partner to the sales and project delivery teams, owning contract strategy and negotiation on high-value, complex deals.
- Own the full contract lifecycle for high-value customer contracts covering the supply of products, services and solutions for data center projects, from initial terms negotiation through to close-out and dispute resolution.
- Lead negotiations directly with sophisticated counterparties including hyperscalers, colocation operators, main contractors, and large enterprise customers.
- Act as the primary legal business partner to the sales and project delivery functions, providing pragmatic, commercially focused advice at all stages of the deal.
- Develop and own the company's standard contract framework, including customer-facing terms, supply chain terms, NDAs, and teaming agreements, keeping these current and fit for purpose as the business grows.
- Drive continuous improvement in contracting processes, approval workflows, and risk governance, including building out a contract management system and playbook.
- Provide strategic input on risk appetite and escalation thresholds, working with senior leadership and the wider legal team to shape policy.
- Oversee post-execution contract management, including managing variations and claims, and leading dispute resolution efforts.
- Engage and manage external counsel where specialist advice is required, controlling cost and quality of output.
- Support the business on M&A, partnerships, or new market entry where contractual due diligence or structuring is required.
Qualifications:- Legal degree and qualified lawyer required
- At least 10 years' legal experience in contract drafting and negotiation (in a law-firm and/or in-house)
Skills:- Qualified lawyer with significant post-qualification experience in commercial contracts, gained in-house or in private practice with a strong in-house secondment or client-facing background.
- Proven track record negotiating and closing complex, high-value B2B contracts (ideally in data center, technology infrastructure, or industrial supply sectors).
- Deep expertise in risk allocation: liability frameworks, warranties, liquidated damages, indemnities, step-in rights, termination, etc.
- Confident dealing with technically complex schedules covering performance specifications, SLAs, acceptance testing, commissioning milestones.
- Experience managing a contract function or demonstrable readiness to do so, including process ownership, template management, and stakeholder training.
- Strong commercial judgment and the confidence to challenge both counterparties and internal stakeholders where appropriate.
- Experience instructing and managing external counsel effectively and cost-consciously.
- Ability to operate at pace in a project-driven environment with multiple concurrent deals at various stages.
- International contracting experience, particularly across European jurisdictions.
- Direct experience in the data center sector and familiarity with hyperscaler and colocation procurement processes and standard form contracts is a plus.
- Experience with NEC or FIDIC contract suites is an advantage.
- Experience and communication skills to engage credibly at senior management level internally, and with senior counterparties externally.
- Fluent in English. Additional European languages are a plus.
What we can offer to you:- Wide range of Employee Benefits: Hybrid work model, Annual bonus, Cafeteria, Private Medical Insurance, Life Insurance, Eye-glass refund, AYCM partnership, Internal reward system (E-Stars)
- Employee Wellbeing Support: Access comprehensive support programs designed to enhance your overall wellbeing
- Family Friendly: Enjoy a family-friendly environment with policies that support work-life balance
- Talent Management and Career Development: We are dedicated to your professional growth, with a strong focus on internal mobility, continuous learning, and peer coaching
- Dog-Friendly: Bring your furry friend to work in our dog-friendly office
- Dedicated Spaces: Utilize our family room, multi-prayer room, stretching room, and chill room for your comfort and convenience
- Company Yoga Sessions: Participate in regular yoga sessions to stay fit and relaxed
- Social Responsibility: Join a socially responsible organization committed to making a positive impact
- Employee Appreciation Day: Celebrate with us on Employee Appreciation Day, recognizing your hard work and contributions
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All positions may require participation in video and in-person interviews as part of the hiring process. All candidates will be evaluated based on job-related competencies, and all candidates' privacy rights and data security will be protected in accordance with applicable laws.
We are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for job applicants and employees. Our recruitment processes use balanced selection criteria and avoid unlawful discrimination against applicants on the basis of their age, colour, disability, marital status, national origin, gender, gender identity, genetic information, race or racial origin, religion, sexual orientation or any other status protected or required by law.
