Job Description
Legal Counsel
12–18-month contract to cover maternity leave
Based in Burton on Trent with hybrid working
We are looking for a Legal Counsel to join our friendly and dynamic team here at Waterstones in Burton on Trent.
What you will be doing
You will be focused on providing legal support primarily for supply chain and logistics and supporting the business on contractual matters by negotiating, drafting, and advising on commercial contracts, taking a solution oriented and pragmatic approach to commercial and operational risks.
What we need from you
There would be an expectation to expand this role into several other areas, including supporting on corporate, company secretarial, intellectual property, data protection, insurance, risk management, external counsel management, policy drafting and implementation and other matters.
* As part of a small legal team, there will be potential for exposure to a wide range of activities, both strategic and operational, across all parts of the business. The candidate would be expected to be agile and adaptable, with a strong desire to develop a breadth of knowledge across several subject areas
* The candidate would be expected to demonstrate good organisational and time management skills, managing a large volume of contract negotiations simultaneously and working to deadlines successfully.
* The ability to build solid professional relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, at all levels across the business. You will ideally be very responsive and demonstrate a willingness to support.
Person Profile
* Qualification as a Solicitor in England and Wales
* A minimum of 2 years work experience in either a private practice or an in-house commercial role
* A strong commercial law background and a good understanding of issues relating to protection of confidentiality, intellectual property, and data privacy
* Experience of IT contracts would be beneficial
* Some experience of corporate and/or company secretarial matters would also be beneficial.
* Good IT skills
* A positive attitude and the ability to work autonomously when required.
* Organised and detail oriented.
* Good time management and ability to prioritise effectively.
* Good initiative and excellent communication skills
* Solid drafting and negotiating skills.
* Ability to start imminently or at relatively short notice.
Why work for Waterstones
At Waterstones, everything we do is about our customers, and we work hard to provide them with the best possible shopping experience, one that will make them want to visit time and time again. We strive to consistently deliver fantastic customer service, whether recommending a book or a gift, keeping our shops beautifully stocked, helping out in our lovely Café W’s, or keeping the wheels turning efficiently behind the scenes. Working with us, you will get to use your expertise and enthusiasm to bring to our customers the irreplaceable pleasures of a good bookshop (including a virtual one).
In return, you will be working in a role that can make a real difference to Waterstones, work in a friendly and dynamic team and get to benefit from our excellent discount in shops and waterstones.com.
If you have the relevant essential experience and you are interested, we would love to hear from you.