Senior/ Legal Counsel – IT (5+ years PQE)
Location: We welcome applications from those looking for hybrid working, based 2 days in our Handforth (Cheshire) Office.
Competitive package, including excellent benefits offering.
About Us
Pets at Home Group Plc is the UK’s leading pet care business, providing pets and their owners with the very best advice, products and care. Pet products are available online or from over 450 pet care centres, many of which also have vet practices and grooming salons. The Group also operates a leading small animal veterinary business, with over 440 veterinary general practices located both in our pet care centres and in standalone locations.
“We put pets first” is our number one value at Pets at Home. Every colleague has a part to play to ensure that we deliver on this value every day. Our love and understanding of pets led us to develop our long-term goal to improve the life of every pet in the UK.
Our business is fast-paced, innovative and fun and it's our people that make the real difference.
About the role
* As our Senior Legal Counsel, you will lead on all IT matters across the wider Group and provide support to key internal stakeholders with our IT and technology functions. You will report directly to the Head of Legal (Vets) & Deputy Company Secretary as well as the Head of Legal (Retail) and work closely with the other members of our friendly and welcoming legal team.
* As a Senior Legal Counsel, your key responsibilities will include:
* Leading on all IT contracts and advising on all IT related legal matters across the Group, including SaaS agreements, software licensing, IT communications and infrastructure arrangements, and outsourcing agreements.
* Working closely with data privacy and information security colleagues to ensure we maintain best practice across the organisation.
* Supporting IT-related forums across the Group, such as the Information Security Steerco.
* Drafting, reviewing, and evaluating internal policies and legal documents when necessary.
* Organising, updating, and delivering legal and compliance training for colleagues.
* Depending upon your experience, you may also have the opportunity to manage all Intellectual Property matters across the Group, including advising on brand protection and trademark disputes (and/or managing our external legal advisors advising on the same).
* Managing the Group's IP portfolio in conjunction with the Group's external trademark attorney.
About you….what we would like you to bring to our role and business
* A degree in law (UK qualification preferred) with 7+ years PQE in a law firm or in-house.
* In-depth knowledge of IT agreements, including drafting and negotiating and developing best practice.
* Experience/knowledge of providing accurate, commercial, pragmatic and solution-focused advice in relation to IT agreements and wider supplier relationships, and general commercial advice.
* In-house experience, as well as detailed knowledge of advising on brand and IP matters, would be desirable, but not prohibitive.
* Good communication skills with a good command of spoken and written English.
* Problem-solving and analytical skills, with an attention to detail and a commercially pragmatic attitude.
* To be able to work independently and with respect for reporting procedures.
* The ability to draft legal documents/summaries/emails in a concise and thorough manner and in plain language.
* To respond efficiently to routine legal questions or issues.
* The ability to identify and analyse core IT/IP legal issues.
* Stay on top of regulatory changes and key case law.
* A proactive “can do” attitude.
* Be comfortable working both collaboratively and independently within a hybrid working environment.
* Proficiency in MS Office and a good command of IT skills.
By joining our team, you will have the opportunity to take on an exciting and challenging role and grow your career in a supportive and dynamic environment.
Pets just see people. They aren’t biased and they don’t discriminate. We take our inspiration from pets, and we value and respect difference in all its forms. Our aim is to reflect the diversity of the communities we operate in, and every colleague can help us achieve this. We encourage our people to be themselves so even if your skills and experience don’t perfectly align, if you think you can make a unique contribution through your values and behaviours, we want to hear from you!
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