Senior Counsel - FMCG/Retail - 7 month FTC

About the Company

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly experienced commercial lawyer to join a large, international organisation in the Retail sector operating across multiple European markets. This role is offered on a fixed-term basis to provide maternity cover within a well-established and highly regarded legal team. This will be a 6-8 month contract depending on start date.

About the Role

This position is ideally suited to a commercially focused legal professional who is able to operate autonomously, build strong relationships across a business, and quickly integrate into a fast-paced in-house environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality legal advice across a wide range of commercial matters
• Draft, review and negotiate commercial contracts relating to the procurement of goods and services, marketing and advertising and much more
• Partner with stakeholders across multiple functions, including procurement, HR, operations, property and risk
• Support strategic business initiatives and projects, often to tight deadlines
• Identify, assess and manage legal risks, providing clear and pragmatic guidance
• Contribute to cross-border transactions and collaborate with international legal teams
• Manage relationships with external legal advisers as required

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer (England & Wales or comparable jurisdiction) with significant post-qualification experience (10+ years PQE preferred but open to those who have less)

Required Skills

• Strong experience in commercial contracts and transactional work
• Previous in-house experience, with an understanding of the demands of a corporate legal environment and potentially a good grounding in private practice
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and deliver at pace
• Commercially pragmatic and solutions-oriented in approach
• Relationships and partnership orientated
• Able to manage stakeholder expectations, push back when required in a professional manner whilst facilitating strong commercial and stakeholder outcomes.

Office working (Hybrid)

Hybrid working model with a requirement to be onsite two days per week near St Albans. Please ensure you are able to do 2 days a week in this location before applying as it is a requirement for this role and not negotiable.

Start date

Immediate start strongly preferred; candidates with up to one month's notice will also be considered

Pay range and compensation package

Highly competitive and attractive remuneration package and is reflective of the seniority and experience required to succeed in the role.