Legal Counsel

Leavetheherdbehind; London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading coffee company in London seeks a Legal Counsel to support business expansion and provide legal advice across various areas. The successful candidate will have a minimum of 3 years of experience and a strong technical grounding in legal matters. This role not only involves drafting and negotiating contracts but also advising stakeholders and maintaining compliance. Join the team and play a pivotal role in the company's growth.

Benefits

Annual Discretionary Bonus - Up to 15%

Free coffee and hot drinks

Pension plan with employer contribution

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• At least 3 years post qualification experience.
• Experience in property matters and/or franchise law is highly desirable.
• Commercially pragmatic with ability to balance risk and objectives.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate various commercial contracts.
• Support internal stakeholders with legal queries.
• Advise on property acquisitions and franchise agreements.
• Assist in maintaining the company's legal templates and processes.

Skills

Strong drafting

Negotiation skills

Problem-solving skills

Attention to detail

Confident communication

Education

Qualified solicitor in England & Wales

Job description

Overview

Position: Legal Counsel

Location: SE1, London

Department: Legal

Reporting to: General Counsel

Position Overview:

We’re on a mission to rid the world of boring average tasting coffee, and we need a sharp, commercially minded Legal Counsel to help us with our ambitious expansion plans.

This role will support our General Counsel in providing pragmatic and solutions-focused legal advice across a wide range of business areas. You’ll play a key part in our small but mighty legal function, guiding the business, and helping us take calculated risks as we continue to expand across the UK and beyond. This is a great opportunity for a junior lawyer looking for a broad and impactful role.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate a variety of commercial contracts including product supply agreements, IT/technology contracts, NDAs, property documents, franchise agreements and data processing agreements. Support with the navigation of contract lifecycle events, including renewals and performance management.
• Advise internal stakeholders on day-to-day legal queries and support commercial decision-making with pragmatic solutions.
• Work with the Head of Property Acquisitions on reviewing Heads of Terms, managing lease completion and addressing ad hoc property approvals and queries.
• Partner with the franchise team to issue franchise agreements, oversee franchisee compliance and coordinate franchise network changes, including sales and exits.
• Support with the maintenance and protection of the company’s intellectual property portfolio.
• Assist in the creation and maintenance of the company’s legal templates, playbooks, and compliance processes. Identify opportunities for improvements in existing processes and procedures.
• Refine and maintain the company’s contract database.
• Support the General Counsel with procuring, onboarding, and embedding legal technology, where appropriate.
• Help manage external counsel efficiently, ensuring cost-effective, high-quality legal support.
• Contribute to legal risk management and compliance training for the wider business.
• Support dispute resolution and regulatory compliance matters as needed.
• Help ensure that the company’s legal practices and operations remain compliant across all jurisdictions in which we operate, including by undertaking research and horizon scanning and escalating developments that may impact the business.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, both internal and external.

Requirements

• Qualified solicitor in England & Wales with a current practising certificate and at least 3 years post qualification experience.
• The interest, training and experience to advise on a broad array of matters. Needs to have a strong technical grounding and ideally some experience a retail, hospitality, or FMCG environment.
• Experience in property matters (leases, acquisitions, etc) and/or franchise law is highly desirable.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and problem-solving skills. Attention to detail is essential!
• Commercially pragmatic with the ability to balance legal risk with business objectives.
• Confident communicator who can work effectively with stakeholders across all levels of the business.
• Excited by innovation and an early adopter of new technology.
• Self-starter with a positive attitude and the ability to manage a varied workload in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. Thrives on being flexible, agile and adaptable.

Benefits

• Annual Discretionary Bonus - Up to 15% of previous years earning.
• Monthly phone bills reimbursed – up to £50 per month.
• Free coffee and hot drinks at any of our locations, plus 50% off food items.
• Access to Wagestream, offering a variety of high-street discounts.
• 5% Interest on savings through Wagestream Build Pot.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - Access to confidential counselling and advice
• Wellness App through our EAP.
• Pension plan through NEST pensions – 3% employer contribution.
• Free daily breakfast, snacks and commercial coffee machine in the office.
• Monthly pub drinks, biannual staff socials and a fully stocked drinks fridge.
• Rapid career progression and development opportunities.

About Black Sheep Coffee

Join the thriving team at Black Sheep Coffee, the rapidly expanding 4th largest coffee chain in the UK. With our sights set on further growth, this is an exciting opportunity to be part of our success story.

Since our establishment in 2013, we have captivated coffee lovers with our commitment to quality and innovation. As a testament to our dedication, we have risen to become one of the leading players in the UK coffee scene.

With our continuous expansion plans, there has never been a more exciting time to join us. As a member of our team, you will have the chance to contribute to our upward trajectory and be part of our ambitious journey towards shaping the future of the coffee industry.

We foster a dynamic and collaborative work environment where your ideas are valued, and your professional growth is encouraged. With a strong emphasis on teamwork and a passion for excellence, we provide a supportive platform for you to thrive and make a meaningful impact.

Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of a rapidly growing company that values innovation, quality, and the power of exceptional coffee. Join Black Sheep Coffee today and embark on a rewarding career that offers unlimited potential.