Legal Counsel - Commercial

Rentokil Initial Careers; Crawley; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Bonus scheme

Healthcare

Death in service

Free parking

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Rentokil Initial is seeking a high-performing Legal Counsel to lead corporate and commercial legal operations across the UK and Irish business. The role focuses on drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex agreements, while guiding strategy, risk, and supplier/customer negotiations.

You will advise on corporate principles, insurance, and finance matters, and drive efficiency through AI-enabled processes. A senior practitioner with PQE and stakeholder leadership is preferred.

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer in England & Wales with at least 5 years PQE.
• Corporate & Commercial Expertise: general contracting principles.
• Public Procurement: exposure to procurement processes and regs.
• AI Proficiency: hands-on experience with AI tools in legal practice.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate complex commercial terms and framework agreements.
• Lead end-to-end negotiations for major supplier and customer contracts, balancing risk and agility.
• Provide practical legal counsel on risk, corporate principles, insurance, and finance matters.
• Navigate construction project insurance, collateral warranties, performance bonds, and claims management.
• Design legal training, update contract templates, and leverage AI to boost efficiency.

Skills

Drafting & Negotiation

Corporate & Commercial Law

Public Procurement

AI in Legal

Stakeholder Communication

Education

Qualified lawyer in England & Wales

Tools

AI tools in legal practice

Job description

Shape High-Stakes Deals for a Global FTSE100 Powerhouse. Ready to tackle complex commercial deals, drive innovation, and safeguard a world-leading global brand? Rentokil Initial is hiring a high-performing Legal Counsel to lead corporate and commercial legal operations across our UK and Irish business.

Core Responsibilities & Impact

• High-Value Contracting: Draft, review, and negotiate complex commercial terms, framework agreements, procurement tenders, and variations.
• Commercial Strategy: Lead end-to-end negotiations for major supplier and customer contracts while balancing commercial agility with risk mitigation.
• Cross-Functional Advisory: Provide practical legal counsel on risk, corporate principles, insurance, and finance matters.
• Specialized Risk Management: Navigate construction project insurance, collateral warranties, performance bonds, and claims management.
• Legal Enablement & AI Integration: Design legal training programs, update contract templates, optimize legal processes, and leverage AI capabilities to boost efficiency.
• Strategic Counsel: Collaborate directly with the Regional General Counsel and external panel counsel on high-impact legal issues.

Requirements

Essential Qualifications

• Legal Qualification: Qualified lawyer in England & Wales (or equivalent jurisdiction) with at least 5 years Post-Qualified Experience (PQE).
• Corporate & Commercial Expertise: Deep technical mastery of general corporate and commercial contracting principles.
• Public Procurement: Practical exposure to public sector procurement processes and regulations.
• AI Proficiency: Hands-on experience or fluency with AI tools in legal practice.

Key Skills & Leadership Strengths

• Stakeholder Influence: Outstanding communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills to guide non-technical audiences and executive stakeholders.
• Strategic Problem-Solving: Ability to evaluate risks and recommend clear, pragmatic solutions under tight deadlines with imperfect information.
• Autonomy & Risk Appetite: Thrives independently in a fast-paced, matrixed environment with a high appetite for strategic risk

Benefits

• Competitive salary and bonus scheme
• Hybrid working
• Rentokil Initial Reward Scheme
• 23 days holiday, plus 8 bank holidays
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Death in service benefit
• Healthcare
• Free parking

At Rentokil Initial, our customers and colleagues represent diverse backgrounds and experiences. We take pride in being an equal opportunity employer, actively encouraging applications from individuals from all walks of life. Our belief is that everyone irrespective of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, or beliefs, has the potential to thrive and contribute.

We embrace the differences that make each of our colleagues unique, fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can be their authentic selves and feel a sense of belonging. To ensure that your journey with us is accessible if you have any individual requirements we invite you to communicate any specific needs or preferences you may have during any stage of the recruitment process. Our team is available to support you; feel free to reach out to ([e-mail]) if you need anything.

Be Yourself in Your Application! At Rentokil Initial, we value innovation, but we want to see the real you! While AI can help with structure and grammar, make sure your application shows your true passion and understanding of the role. A personal touch will help you stand out.