Senior Legal Counsel

RSC; Woking; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A global restaurant chain is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to provide commercial legal advice and support its Western Europe leadership team. Based in Woking, this role involves guiding senior leaders on legal risks, specifically regarding M&A and franchise agreements. Ideal candidates are qualified lawyers with strong project management skills and the ability to influence stakeholders. The position includes hybrid working, competitive benefits, and a dynamic work environment.

Benefits

Hybrid working

Up to 11% company pension contributions

25 days’ holiday

Bonus scheme

Private healthcare

Enhanced parental leave

Study support

Discount on food

Qualifications

• Solid experience PQE in a commercial or corporate department gained in a leading law firm or in-house.
• Ability to influence a wide and diverse range of stakeholders.
• Strong project management and time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head of Legal and the Western Europe Leadership team on complex issues.
• Provide general legal advice on M&A, Corporate, Digital, Marketing, Commercial Contracts, and Disputes.
• Develop relationships across the business with key responsibility for Development and Franchise function.
• Work autonomously and support junior team members.

Skills

Legal advising

Stakeholder influence

Project management

Team collaboration

Education

Qualified lawyer

Job description

WELCOME TO KFC, HOME OF THE REAL ONES.

We sell the world’s best chicken. Seriously. And we’ve done it since 1939, when the idea of crispy, original recipe chicken took Kentucky by storm. Now, we’re proud to serve 1000+ communities across the UK and Ireland, bringing the grit, pride and iconic reputation that we started with, all those years ago.

Across the Restaurant Support Centre (RSC), we come to work to be ourselves, and to make something of ourselves. We want to see our potential go that little bit further, as part of one of the world’s most iconic brands.

What’s the gig? Well, you support our restaurants — and we’ll support you every step of the way. Simple. Our doors are open — and they can take you anywhere.

All we ask is that you be you. Because that makes us, us. Sound good?

Great. Let’s find out about that job.

ABOUT THE ROLE

KFC Western Europe I is looking to bring on board a talented and ambitious Senior Legal Counsel. We want someone who can not only provide commercial legal advice but also act as a valued thought partner to key business stakeholders. The role is based in London but supporting our Western Europe leadership team based in Switzerland covering 12 markets. Occasional travel to Switzerland required.

The KFC Legal team have earned their seat at the table, providing invaluable debate, guidance and challenge within the business, helping develop strategy and giving stakeholders the tools and confidence to drive change and deliver winning results.

You’ll be at the forefront of proactively supporting our senior leaders to understand legal risks and providing strategic advice. A natural collaborator, you’ll have the ability to influence internal stakeholders and cross-functional teams demonstrating sound legal and business judgement.

As Senior Legal Counsel, you will report directly to the Head of Legal primarily supporting our Development function to provide advice and support on M&A, franchise agreements and disputes. This is a clucking great opportunity at one of the largest, best-known, best-loved and most talked-about brands in the UK… what are you waiting for?

WHAT WILL YOU SPEND YOUR TIME DOING?

• Supporting the Head of Legal and Western Europe Leadership team on a variety of complex issues and high profile and business critical projects
• Collaborating closely with other members of the team
• Providing general legal advice and support on a range of issues including M&A, Corporate, Digital, Marketing, Commercial Contracts and Disputes
• Developing and maintaining excellent relationships across the business with key responsibility for Development and Franchise function
• Engaging and building a strong network across the wider YUM! Legal team and business desirable.
• Ability to work autonomously and also provide support and guidance to junior team members

What we love from you:

About you

• Courage and integrity to recognise and do what is right – doesn’t shy away from the challenging conversations
• Intellectually curious combined with an approach that is pragmatic and commercial – i.e. getting the job done!
• Be an excellent communicator, with a natural ability to bring people together and facilitate and promote great cooperation and collaboration
• Strong enthusiasm for varied legal work
• Must thrive on working as a team, in a dynamic and fast-moving environment
• A calm demeanour and an ability to work collaboratively under pressure are key

EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION

• Educated as qualified lawyer with solid experience PQE in a commercial or corporate department gained in a leading law firm or in-house
• Great clarity of thought and collaborative communication with sensitivity to different cultures, backgrounds and objectives.
• Ability to influence a wide and diverse range of stakeholders.
• Strong project management and time management skills.
• Insight to be able to recognise opportunities to add value to the organisation and an ability to see them through in a commercial and repeatable way.

KEEPING IT REAL

We don’t hire staff — we hire people. People with real lives and aspirations, building real careers. Each of us has something special to add to the mix we call work, and we’ll always encourage you to add your perspective.

See, at KFC, everyone’s welcome — whatever your background, and whatever future you’re creating. We’ll look out for you because you’re one of us, not because you work for us. We’ll invest in your potential, because it’s what we’ve always done. But most of all, we’ll give you the freedom to be you, wherever (and whoever) you happen to be.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU:

We offer benefits that make your life that little bit easier, because we know the juggle is real.

From flexible, hybrid working and Live Well Days, we’ve created a package that supports the real you, in and out of work.

• Hybrid working from our Woking RSC (just 24 mins from London)
• Up to 11% company pension contributions
• 25 days’ holiday (plus bank hols)
• 5 Live Well Days a year, just for you
• Bonus scheme linked to company & personal performance
• Private healthcare, Digital GP access & mental health coaching
• Enhanced parental leave and flexible return options
• Study support, income protection, life cover & more
• And yes — 25% off the chicken

Because real ones deserve real rewards.

KFC FOR EVERYONE

Whoever you are and wherever you’re from, KFC is a place where you can bring the real you to work.

Our promise is this: every person who applies to a role at KFC, regardless of age, background, ethnicity, gender, ability, religion or sexual orientation, will have an equal opportunity to work here. We don’t just welcome, we encourage applications from underrepresented groups from all industries.

If you’d like any additional support with your application, have a disability or condition that may affect your performance during the recruitment process, or have any other requirements — just let us know. We’ll be there to help you be the real you.

READY? We hope so. If you’re ready to be part of our community, now’s the time to apply.

Worried you aren’t ticking all the boxes? Don’t - we’d still love to hear from you