ESG Senior Legal Cousel, Retail

JR United Kingdom; Derby; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading high street fashion retailer is looking for a Senior Legal Counsel to enhance their ESG and legal strategies. This role is instrumental in promoting sustainable practices and compliance while collaborating across various departments to ensure alignment with the brand's ethical values.

Qualifications

• 7+ years’ PQE in commercial or regulatory law.
• Experience in ESG, sustainability, or ethical compliance is essential.
• Retail or consumer goods experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal guidance on ESG initiatives and compliance.
• Advise on regulatory issues and reputational risk.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to align legal risk with ESG goals.

Skills

Commercial law

Regulatory compliance

ESG expertise

Stakeholder engagement

Business acumen

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

Our client, a dynamic and much-loved high street fashion retailer, is seeking a strategic ESG-focussed Senior Legal Counsel to join its collaborative and forward-thinking legal team. This is a unique opportunity to play a leading role in shaping the brands legal and ESG agenda as it continues to push the boundaries in sustainability, ethics and responsible growth.

About the role

As a senior member of the legal team, you will provide expert legal guidance and strategic input across a broad spectrum of legal matters with a particular focus on ESG as well as some regulatory compliance and commercial contracts. You will play a key part in embedding responsible business practices into the brands operations and supply chains. Key highlights of the role include:

• Delivering legal and strategic support on ESG-related initiatives, including sustainability, supply chain ethics, diversity, and corporate responsibility.
• Advising on regulatory and compliance issues.
• Supporting the Head of Legal and senior leadership in implementing and monitoring ESG governance frameworks.
• Working closely with key stakeholders across legal, sustainability, procurement, and operations to align legal risk with the brand’s values and ESG goals.
• Advising on reputational risk and handling related disputes or investigations.
• This is a commercially focused role requiring strong business acumen, passion for sustainability, and a solutions-driven mindset in a fast-paced retail environment.

Requirements

• 7+ years’ PQE, with a strong background in commercial or regulatory law
• Experience advising on ESG, sustainability, or ethical compliance matters is essential
• In-house retail or consumer goods experience (or secondment) strongly preferred
• Confident working cross-functionally with a wide variety of stakeholders.