About CLOSER
CLOSER is a Creative Agency and Brand Incubator that partners with leading global luxury and lifestyle brands to deliver visionary creativity, cultural resonance, and excellence in execution. Our work spans brand marketing, customer experiences, creative direction, design, and emerging media technologies. We also collaborate with pioneering new brands in the luxury, lifestyle, and cosmetics space—bringing them to market and helping establish them as formidable challengers in their categories.
About the Role
As we continue our growth journey, we are seeking a General Counsel to ensure that CLOSER is compliant with regulations and provide expert advice on advertising practices, marketing campaigns and related legal issues. This is a role working closely with Group Leadership, CLOSER brands and CLOSER agency leadership as well as Finance and the People teams.
Responsibilities
The General Counsel will ensure the compliance with laws and regulations, providing legal guidance to management and the board on strategic matters.
Client & Supplier Negotiations
* Draft, review, and negotiate agreements with clients and suppliers (e.g., service level agreements, master service agreements, agency agreements). Ensure key provisions (deliverables, timelines, payment terms, intellectual property, confidentiality, liability, indemnities, etc.) are accurately reflected.
* Risk Identification & Mitigation
* Identify legal, regulatory, and commercial risks during negotiations, propose strategies to mitigate exposure. Develop and maintain contract templates that adhere to relevant legal requirements and company policies.
* Relationship Management
* Collaborate with internal teams (e.g., account managers, project managers, finance) to ensure contractual obligations are communicated and fulfilled. Serve as a trusted advisor to the business on complex negotiation strategies to protect the company’s interests.
Fundraising
Legal Structuring & Compliance
* Advise on the optimal legal structures for fundraising (equity, debt, convertible notes, etc.).
* Ensure compliance with securities laws and regulations, both in domestic and international contexts (if applicable).
Investor Relations & Documentation
* Draft or review term sheets, subscription agreements, shareholder agreements, and other investment-related documentation.
* Coordinate with external counsel, underwriters, and regulatory bodies to meet necessary disclosure requirements.
Due Diligence & Data Room Management
* Manage legal due diligence processes, preparing or reviewing data rooms, responding to investor queries, and providing necessary documentation.
* Identify and address any legal issues or red flags that could impact investor confidence.
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
Deal Structuring & Strategy
* Advise senior management on the legal and regulatory aspects of potential M&A deals, whether as acquirer or target.
* Recommend deal structures (asset purchase, share purchase, merger, joint venture, etc.) that align with strategic goals.
Due Diligence
* Oversee or conduct comprehensive due diligence on target companies—assessing corporate governance, contracts, liabilities, intellectual property assets, and any ongoing litigation.
* Highlight key legal issues and potential deal-breakers in due diligence reports for internal review.
Transaction Documentation
* Draft and negotiate NDAs, LOIs, SPAs (Share Purchase Agreements), asset purchase agreements, disclosure letters, and transition service agreements.
* Ensure compliance with antitrust and merger control regulations (if relevant) and handle notifications/filings with authorities.
Post-Transaction Integration
* Support post-merger integration by aligning legal processes, unifying contract templates, and consolidating corporate policies.
* Coordinate with external counsel, when necessary, to address local jurisdiction requirements.
Corporate Governance & Shareholder Agreements
Corporate Structuring & Compliance
* Advise on establishment and maintenance of legal entities, drafting of constitutional documents, and overseeing corporate filings.
* Ensure adherence to relevant corporate and securities laws in all operational jurisdictions.
Shareholder Agreements
* Draft, review, and negotiate shareholder agreements, partnership agreements, and other governance documents.
* Manage rights and obligations among shareholders (e.g., voting rights, board representation, transfer restrictions, exit strategies).
Board & Executive Support
* Prepare and review board resolutions, meeting minutes, and other governance documentation.
* Counsel executives and board members on their fiduciary responsibilities, risk management, and strategic corporate matters.
Regulatory & Compliance
Marketing & Advertising Regulations
* Ensure that all marketing initiatives, campaigns, and promotions comply with applicable advertising standards, consumer protection laws, and industry codes of practice.
* Advise on data protection/privacy matters (GDPR, CCPA, etc.) and ensure compliance in consumer-facing marketing activities.
Company-Wide Compliance Programs
* Develop and implement internal policies that comply with legal and regulatory requirements (e.g., Anti-Bribery, Anti-Money Laundering, Code of Conduct).
* Conduct training sessions for staff to enhance awareness of relevant legal and compliance obligations.
Dispute Resolution & Litigation Management
Pre-emptive Risk Management
* Collaborate with internal stakeholders to address potential disputes (payment issues, IP infringements, contract breaches) before they escalate.
* Establish protocols for managing claims and escalate matters when necessary.
Litigation Strategy & Coordination
* Manage litigation, arbitration, or mediation processes, coordinating with external counsel.
* Develop strategies to minimize financial exposure and protect the group’s reputation.
Stakeholder Engagement & Cross-Functional Collaboration
Internal Collaboration
* Work closely with executive leadership, finance, HR, marketing, and other relevant departments to support and align legal strategies with business objectives.
* Provide training and guidance on best practices, contract management, and legal compliance.
External Liaison
* Coordinate with external law firms, government agencies, and other third parties on specialized legal matters.
* Manage relationships and budgets with outside counsel, ensuring cost-effective service delivery.
Policy & Strategy Development
Legal Best Practices
* Develop, refine, and implement legal policies, procedures, and workflows to enhance efficiency and mitigate risk.
* Monitor changes in law or regulation that impact the group and update internal policies accordingly.
Strategic Planning
* Support long-term strategic planning by identifying emerging legal and regulatory trends, advising on potential impacts and opportunities.
* Contribute to corporate strategy discussions, ensuring legal considerations are integrated into business decisions.
About You
We're looking for a strategic leader who brings a blend of strong legal expertise merged with a passion for creativity and innovation.
You Are:
* A qualified lawyer with a recognized law degree and a professional admission to practice.
* Strong stakeholder management and interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate with business and legal professionals at all levels.
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with an eye for detail and accuracy.
* Analytical mindset with the ability to balance legal risk against commercial objectives.
Requirements
Below is what we will be looking for in reviewing your application.
* Qualified lawyer with a recognized law degree and professional admission to practice.
* Extensive experience across multiple legal disciplines in a media and technology environment
* Proven track record in negotiation, fund-raising, M&A and corporate governance
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and celebrate diversity in all it's forms and are building a super-inclusive culture. We will never discriminate on the basis of age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, or sexual orientation, and we love the diversity of perspective this brings.