Counsel

CSS; Chesterfield; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

CSS is seeking an AsCounsel to represent the organization across the EMEA region on complex commercial matters, leading negotiations and drafting a range of agreements.

You will work with business teams to mitigate risk, advise on regulatory changes, support policy development, and help implement AI-enabled legal processes.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor admitted in England and Wales, or an equivalent common law jurisdiction.
• Current practising certificate issued by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
• 2–5 years post-qualification experience in a reputable law firm or in-house legal department, ideally with commercial contracts exposure.
• Demonstrable experience in commercial contract drafting, review, and negotiation.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including drafting complex legal contracts and documents.
• Self-starter, client-focused, able to manage multiple projects and priorities.

Responsibilities

• Handle and lead a variety of commercial legal matters across the EMEA region, including negotiation and management of distribution agreements, supply contracts, statements of work, terms and conditions, and other agreements.
• Support and contribute to project teams and cross-functional groups on commercial legal and compliance matters.
• Collaborate with business leaders to mitigate commercial risks and support corporate strategies and business objectives.
• Provide practical legal advice to stakeholders on day-to-day commercial queries and assess risk in context of deals.
• Advise management on developments in laws/regulations and support policy and compliance initiatives.
• Negotiate, draft, review, and redline commercial contracts to meet business objectives; manage negotiations with external counterparties.
• Contribute to initiatives to improve legal services, including AI, technology, processes and new ways of working.
• Assist with dispute resolution and other practice areas as required by the business.

Skills

Commercial contracts

Negotiation

Contract drafting

Legal research

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

AI tools

Problem solving

Education

Solicitor qualification (England & Wales)

SRA practising certificate

Tools

AI tools

Job description

AsCounsel you will be responsible for representing the organization and handling various commercial matters across the EMEA region, including complex matters, and leading projects and negotiations with specialized knowledge

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for handling and leading a variety of commercial legal matters, including the negotiation and management of distribution agreements, supply contracts, statements of work, standard terms and conditions, and other commercial agreements across the EMEA region.
• Supports and contributes to project teams and cross-functional groups on commercial legal and compliance matters.
• Collaborates with business leaders and cross-functional teams to effectively mitigate commercial risks and support corporate strategies and business objectives, with a focus on understanding the commercial drivers behind each matter.
• Provides responsive and practical legal advice to business stakeholders on day-to-day commercial queries, with the ability to assess risk in the context of the specific deal or transaction.
• Provides practical and actionable advice to management on commercial legal matters, including developments and changes in applicable laws and regulations, and supports the development of related policies and compliance initiatives.
• Negotiates, drafts, reviews, and redlines commercial contracts and agreements to accomplish business objectives, including managing negotiations with external counterparties.
• Contributes to initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency and delivery of legal services, including the use of AI and legal technology, process improvement, and new ways of working.

• Assists with dispute resolution and other practice areas as required by the needs of the business.

Qualifications:

• Qualified solicitor admitted in England and Wales, or an equivalent common law jurisdiction.
• Current practising certificate issued by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
• Two to five years of post-qualification experience gained in a reputable law firm or in-house legal department, ideally with exposure to commercial contracts work.
• Demonstrable experience in commercial contract drafting, review, and negotiation. Prior experience in the specific sector is not essential; a solid legal foundation and willingness to engage with the business are important.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including drafting complex legal contracts and documents.
• Responsible, accountable, client-focused person who represents the department well (e.g., responsive, knowledgeable, professional, timely) and integrates well into the larger organization.
• Able to communicate legal concepts in clear, concise, and practical terms, including presenting alternatives and solutions to stakeholders.
• Good business acumen, provides creative and practical solutions to problems.
• Adept at communicating in layman’s terms and delivering alternatives and solutions in clear, concise manner.
• Self-starter, highly motivated, adaptable, flexible, and manages multiple projects and competing priorities with willingness to get their hands dirty (e.g., roll up sleeves and do the heavy lifting).
• Good at recognizing an issue, inquisitive, asks right questions and makes extra effort.
• Good business partner.
• Curious, willing to learn new areas and skills.
• Excellent legal research skills
• Technologically proficient. Systems thinker who looks for ways to automate, streamline, and improve processes, including hands-on use of AI tools to build and test solutions.