Fractional General Counsel

The role

We are looking for a General Counsel to be the senior legal leader for Footasylum, responsible for overseeing all legal, governance, and compliance across the business. Operating as a trusted advisor to the Executive Team and Board, the role supports Footasylum's commercial objectives while managing legal risk across retail operations, e-commerce, supply chain, brand protection, and international growth. This role blends strategic counsel with hands on leadership in a fast paced, consumer focused retail environment.

Responsibilities

We are looking for someone who embodies the Footasylum values - Collaboration, Communication & Challenge.

• You will lead corporate governance for Footasylum, ensuring compliance with statutory, regulatory, and shareholder requirements
• Act as principal legal advisor to the CEO, Executive Leadership Team and Board
• Identify, manage and mitigate legal and regulatory risk across the business
• Providing pragmatic, commercial legal advice aligned to Footasylum's growth and brand strategy
• Supporting major strategic initiatives including store expansion, partnerships, acquisitions, and international development
• Embedding legal insight early into business planning and decision making
• Overseeing Board processes, including resolutions, policies, and reporting
• Maintaining effective risk management frameworks and legal controls
• Leading legal support for UK and international retail operations, including store leases, property matters, and landlord negotiation
• Advising on consumer law, pricing, promotions, returns, and customer complaints
• Drafting, negotiating and managing high value commercial contracts (suppliers, distributors, logistics, technology, sponsorships)
• Supporting e commerce operations, digital platforms, and omnichannel trading
• Protecting and managing Footasylum's intellectual property, including trademarks, branding, and licensing
• Advising marketing and brand teams on advertising standards, influencer partnerships, sponsorships, and promotions
• Managing brand risk and reputational issues
• Ensuring compliance with data protection (GDPR), competition law, modern slavery, ESG and sustainability obligations
• Overseeing regulatory relationships and responses where required
• Monitoring legislative and regulatory developments impacting the retail and consumer landscape
• Leading developing and mentoring the in house legal team, including personally overseeing an SQE candidate completing their QWE and certifying such steps with the SRA
• Managing external legal advisers, controlling quality, cost, and risk
• Delivering efficient, scalable legal processes appropriate for a high growth retail business

Skills & Experience Required

• Qualified solicitor (England & Wales) with significant post qualification experience (8 years minimum)
• Strong background in retail, consumer, fashion, or FMCG environments (in house or top tier private practice)
• Proven experience advising senior leadership and Boards
• Commercial, pragmatic mindset with the ability to balance risk and opportunity
• Expertise in commercial contracts, retail law, consumer law, and corporate governance
• Strong leadership, influencing, and communication skills
• Comfortable operating in a fast moving, brand driven environment

Work Arrangement

This is not a remote role and the expectation is that you will be able to attend Head Office in a hybrid way, in Greater Manchester.