Senior General Counsel

Deep Abacus; England; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing global hospitality group in the UK seeks a Senior General Counsel to be the strategic legal leader. This role involves overseeing various legal matters as the company expands internationally, managing IP, driving M&A, and ensuring compliance across multiple jurisdictions. The ideal candidate is a senior lawyer with corporate, commercial, and IP expertise, comfortable in a fast-paced environment. Strong communication skills are essential to advise stakeholders effectively.

Qualifications

• Broad corporate, commercial, and IP expertise.
• Experience with cross-border operations.
• Comfortable in fast-growing environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead all legal strategy and advise senior leadership.
• Drive M&A, investments, and corporate structuring.
• Oversee commercial contracts and partnerships.
• Manage IP portfolio and brand protection.
• Establish governance and compliance frameworks.
• Ensure regulatory compliance across operations.
• Build and scale the in-house legal function.

Skills

Corporate law

Commercial law

IP expertise

M&A experience

Regulatory compliance

Strong communication

Job description

Senior General Counsel – Global Hospitality & Food Innovation Group.

Overview

Fast-growing, investor-backed group spanning :

• Restaurants (multiple chef-led concepts)
• Premium catering (including private aviation)
• Food & beverage production (UK / US facilities; consumer products, beverages, syrups)

Role Summary

Strategic legal leader supporting investors and executives across all business lines, overseeing corporate, commercial, IP, and regulatory matters as the group expands internationally.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all legal strategy and act as primary advisor to senior leadership.
• Drive M&A, investments, and corporate structuring.
• Oversee commercial contracts across restaurants, catering, production, and partnerships.
• Manage IP portfolio, brand protection, licensing, and celebrity / chef agreements.
• Establish governance, compliance frameworks, and risk controls.
• Ensure regulatory compliance across food, manufacturing, and multi-jurisdiction operations.
• Manage and coordinate external counsel.
• Build and scale the in-house legal function.

Candidate Profile

• Senior lawyer with broad corporate, commercial, and IP expertise.
• Experience with cross-border operations; hospitality / CPG / production exposure a plus.
• Comfortable operating strategically and hands-on in a fast-growing environment.
• Strong communicator with the ability to advise investors and board-level stakeholders.