Legal Counsel - Commercial

Rentokil Initial; Crawley; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Bonus scheme

Healthcare

23 days holiday

Employee Assistance Programme

Death in service benefit

Free parking

Job summary

Rentokil Initial is seeking a Legal Counsel to lead corporate and commercial legal operations across the UK and Ireland. The role focuses on high-value contracting, strategic negotiations, and cross-functional advisory to business leaders in a fast-paced environment.

The successful candidate will manage risk, handle procurement regimes, and shape legal enablement, including AI integration and contract template improvements. Hybrid working is offered with exposure to a FTSE100 global business.

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer in England & Wales with 5+ PQE.
• Strong knowledge of general corporate and commercial contracting.
• Experience with public procurement processes and regulations.
• Hands-on experience with AI tools in legal practice.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate high-value commercial terms and contracts.
• Lead end-to-end negotiations for major supplier and customer agreements.
• Provide practical legal counsel on risk, corporate, insurance, and finance matters.
• Navigate insurance, collateral warranties, performance bonds, and claims management in projects.
• Design and implement legal training, update templates, and leverage AI to boost efficiency.
• Collaborate with Regional GC and external panel counsel on strategic issues.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Contract negotiation

Strategic thinking

AI in legal practice

Commercial contracting

Education

England & Wales Qualified Lawyer

Tools

AI tools for 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.

As part of a FTSE100 company operating in over 90 countries, you will manage a diverse matter caseload, steer major contract negotiations, and advise business leaders in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

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