Job Description

As our General Counsel, you will be the primary legal authority within the company, overseeing all legal matters with a focus on contract law, corporate governance, labor law and fundraising support. This includes negotiating and structuring key partner agreements such as Master Framework Agreements. Deep, practical expertise in Croatian employment law is essential, as you will be the company's go-to authority on all HR and labor-related legal matters. As the company grows internationally, you will also help build out the legal function to support new markets, working closely with leadership on legal efficiency and cost control while signing off on official company documents.

This is a hands-on, generalist role reporting directly to the CEO, ideal for someone who thrives in dynamic environments and wants to be a part of building something revolutionary from the ground up.

Who are we?

At Verne, we're building an ecosystem to progress our society through a journey of curiosity and innovation. Named in honor of Jules Verne "the man who invented the future,". We are the first European solution for autonomous journeys. We adopt an integrated approach, including vehicle design, infrastructure development, and the full digital experience.

As a growing startup, we thrive on curiosity, innovation, and bold ideas. If you’re ready to make your mark in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, this could be the role for you.

What will you do?

• Legal Oversight: Act as the company's internal legal authority across all jurisdictions in which the company operates or plans to operate.
• Contract Review: Lead all contract negotiations and reviews (vendors, partners, investors, etc.), including partner and strategic agreements such as Master Framework Agreements (MFAs) and similar long-term commercial arrangements, ensuring both legal robustness and commercial practicality.
• Corporate and Fundraising Support: Assist in structuring and supporting fundraising activities (e.g., investor agreements, due diligence).
• Cost Control and External Counsel Management: Manage and optimize the external legal budget, keeping costs down while ensuring high-quality legal outcomes, including coordination with local counsel in new markets as the company expands.
• Labor and Employment Law: Serve as the company's expert on Croatian labor and employment law, ensuring full compliance and sound legal support on all HR-related matters; support the assessment of labor law requirements as the company enters new markets.
• Governance: Review, draft, and sign corporate documentation. Support board and shareholder actions from a legal perspective.

What do you need to succeed?

• Master's Degree in Law, Bar Exam (pravosudni ispit) preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of legal experience (experience in start-up or fast-scaling tech companies and international experience is a plus).
• Strong generalist legal background: corporate law, contract law, labor law, and fundraising experience.
• Experience negotiating and structuring complex partner/commercial agreements (e.g., MFAs, framework agreements, long-term vendor or strategic partnership contracts).
• In-depth, hands-on knowledge of Croatian labor legislation is essential — this is a core requirement of the role.
• Ability to sign off and represent the company legally in Croatia.
• Uphold the highest standards of legal ethics and business integrity.
• Experience working across multiple jurisdictions, or coordinating with international/local counsel, is a strong plus.
• Fluent in English and Croatian (written and spoken); additional languages a plus.

What’s in it for you?

Joining Verne means becoming part of a team shaping the future of autonomous mobility. Here’s what we offer:

• The chance to collaborate with experts from 20+ industries.
• Ownership of your projects, with the freedom to innovate and take initiative.
• A culture of transparency, feedback, and open communication.
• Comprehensive financial and wellbeing support designed to meet diverse needs.
• The excitement of working in a fast-growing startup where your ideas truly matter.

How can you apply?

If this role and our mission resonate with you, hit the Apply button! We typically review applications within 3-4 business days, but since we want to give each one the attention it deserves, please allow a little extra time if needed. Once we've had a chance to fully evaluate your submission, we’ll reach out with details about the next steps.

If shortlisted, here’s what to expect:

1. An initial HR interview focused on culture fit.
2. A technical interview with the Team.
3. A final interview.

Not sure if this role is the right fit?

We’re always looking for creators who challenge the status quo and aren’t afraid to take the lead. If that’s you, explore our story - we might have other opportunities that spark your interest.

Verne (Project 3 Mobility) is a company comprised of people with different qualities and backgrounds, because we believe our differences make us stronger. That is why we evaluate qualified applicants fairly and equally, without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, familial status, and other legally protected characteristics. All applications will be considered in accordance with the regulations of personal data protection.