Legal Counsel - Regulatory and Government Affairs

Wayfair; London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a motivated Legal Counsel to join their dynamic team in London. This role focuses on providing legal guidance on regulatory matters related to consumer products, ensuring compliance with UK and EU laws, and supporting various internal teams. You'll have the opportunity to work closely with senior legal counsel, engage with regulatory authorities, and contribute to the company's efforts in sustainability and compliance. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and are passionate about making a difference in the legal landscape, this position offers a rewarding career path with ample growth and learning opportunities.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor with experience in corporate, regulatory, or commercial legal roles.
• Strong analytical and communication skills are essential for this position.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal guidance on product safety and consumer protection regulations.
• Support engagement with regulatory authorities and ensure trade compliance.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Stakeholder Management

Risk Mitigation

Education

Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales)

NQ-3 years of Post-Qualification Experience

Job description

Legal Counsel - Regulatory and Government Affairs

Location: London, United Kingdom

Requisition ID: 247502

We are looking for a highly motivated Legal Counsel to join our London-based Legal team. In this role, you will provide legal guidance on day-to-day legal matters with a particular focus on the regulatory requirements to market and sell consumer products and move them across international borders in the EU and UK. Working closely with senior legal counsel and cross-functional teams, you will help the business navigate evolving regulatory landscapes, mitigate risks, and support operational and strategic initiatives.

What You’ll Do:

• Product & Retail Compliance: Provide legal guidance on product safety regulations, labelling requirements, recalls, and consumer protection laws in the UK and EU.
• Regulatory Affairs: Support engagement with regulatory authorities, including the UK’s Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) and EU market surveillance authorities.
• Trade Compliance: Assist in ensuring adherence to UK and EU trade compliance regulations, including import/export controls and customs compliance requirements.
• General UK Legal Matters: Advise business teams on compliance with advertising, marketing, and e-commerce regulations.
• Denied Party Compliance Programs: Support Wayfair’s efforts in sanctions screening and forced labour compliance.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Work closely with internal teams, including Merchandising, Engineering, Operations, and Commercial teams, to provide proactive legal support.
• Regulatory Monitoring & Risk Mitigation: Track changes in UK and EU laws and implement risk mitigation strategies in collaboration with senior legal counsel.
• ESG and Circular Economy Compliance: Support Wayfair’s global efforts in circular economy and ESG fields including Extended Producer Requirements.

What You’ll Need:

• Qualified solicitor (England & Wales) with NQ-3 years of post-qualification experience (PQE) in a corporate, regulatory, or commercial legal role.
• Experience in UK and EU product safety and consumer protection is desirable.
• Strong analytical skills with a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating legal risks.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Prior in-house experience in a retail, e-commerce, or regulated industry is desirable but not required.

Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities

Wayfair is fully committed to providing equal opportunities for all individuals, including individuals with disabilities. As part of this commitment, Wayfair will make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of qualified individuals with disabilities, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on business operations. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please let us know.

Need Technical Assistance?

For more information about applying for a career at Wayfair, visit our FAQ page.

Wayfair is one of the world’s largest online destinations for the home. Whether you work in our global headquarters in Boston, or in our warehouses or offices throughout the world, we’re reinventing the way people shop for their homes. Through our commitment to industry-leading technology and creative problem-solving, we are confident that Wayfair will be home to the most rewarding work of your career. If you’re looking for rapid growth, constant learning, and dynamic challenges, then you’ll find that amazing career opportunities are knocking.

No matter who you are, Wayfair is a place you can call home. We’re a community of innovators, risk-takers, and trailblazers who celebrate our differences, and know that our unique perspectives make us stronger, smarter, and well-positioned for success. We value and rely on the collective voices of our employees, customers, community, and suppliers to help guide us as we build a better Wayfair – and world – for all. Every voice, every perspective matters. That’s why we’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer.