Assistant General Counsel

Sodexo; London, Manchester; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Sodexo is seeking an Assistant General Counsel to spearhead legal strategy in a dynamic, multinational context. With a focus on compliance, contract management, and leadership, the role will drive operational efficiency and nurture a culture of integrity. Candidates should possess extensive legal expertise, project management skills, and a strategic mindset.

Qualifications

• 10+ years qualified in a top-tier law firm or significant multinational environment.
• Expertise in commercial contracts, mergers, acquisitions, and public procurement.
• Strong leadership and dispute management experience.

Responsibilities

• Providing expert legal advice and risk management across various sectors.
• Leading a team of six lawyers while managing key contracts and tenders.
• Driving legal operations to enhance commercial agility and value.

Skills

Legal expertise

Commercial acumen

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Project management

Education

Degree level education

Qualified solicitor in England & Wales or equivalent

Job description

At Sodexo, we recognise that legal expertise is not just a support function-it's a strategic driver of business success. As Assistant General Counsel, you will play a key role in supporting our UK operations, navigating complex legal matters, ensuring compliance, and enabling sustainable growth.

This is a high-impact position for a commercially minded legal professional who thrives in a dynamic, multinational environment. You will work closely with senior stakeholders across the business, providing expert legal advice on a broad range of issues including commercial contracts, outsourcing, public procurement, and regulatory matters.

Your leadership will help shape legal strategy, improve operational efficiency, and foster a culture of integrity and accountability. If you're ready to take the next step in your legal career with a company that values innovation, collaboration, and purpose-this is your opportunity.

Join Sodexo and be part of something greater. You belong in a team where you can act with purpose and thrive in your own way.

For more information on Sodexo Careers please visit Sodexo Careers

Main Responsibilities

This role requires navigating complex legal and commercial challenges while ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks and industry best practices. Key responsibilities include:

• Providing expert legal advice, risk management, contract drafting and training across diverse business areas to support growth and business strategy.
• Supporting the negotiation and management of major contracts and tender processes within the Health & Care, Government, Energy & Resources, Procurement, Tech, and Services segments.
• Driving consistency in legal guidance, risk assessment, and commercial decision-making.
• Supporting leadership in maintaining ethical business practices and ensuring compliance with anti-bribery and corruption laws.
• Leading and managing a team of six lawyers, ensuring agility, collaboration, and professional development.
• Working strategically with the General Counsel and legal leadership to foster an efficient, high-performing department.
• Ensuring alignment between Sodexo's legal strategy and business priorities, effectively communicating and implementing key directives.
• Developing and delivering training programmes on legal, commercial, and regulatory matters.
• Leading recruitment efforts for legal team expansion as needed.
• Driving innovative solutions that enhance legal operations and commercial agility, optimizing value for Sodexo.
• Acting as Deputy to the General Counsel.
• Maintaining financial discipline and commercial efficiency within the legal department budget.
• Implementing efficient administrative systems and agile processes.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential

• Educated to degree level
• Qualifiedsolicitor inEngland & Wales or equivalent jurisdiction (10+ years qualification)
• Extensivelegalandcommercialexpertisegainedin top tier private practice and in a large, fast-paced multinationalenvironment
• Expertise in commercial contracts, outsourced services contracts, public procurement, TUPE, GDPR, digital transformations and services agreements, including technology services agreements
• Proven experience in joint ventures, complex contracts and legal structures, mergers and acquisitions
• ExposuretoPFI/PPP andpublicsectorcontracts andtendering processes includingnegotiation andproblem resolution
• Management of disputes and litigation
• Displaying a high standard of legal expertise and commercial acumen.
• Strong leadership and people management experience
• Project management and financial oversight capabilities
• Strategic and innovative thinking with the ability to implement commercially viable solutions

Desirable

• Proficiency in at least two modernEuropean languages
• Company secretarial experience