The Role
At WH Smith our people are at the heart of everything we do. They are the ones that go the extra mile for our customers. The ones that enable our growth.
We now have an exciting opportunity for a highly experienced legal professional to join our Group Legal team. The main purpose of the Group Legal Counsel role is the provision of legal advice to businesses across the Group, ensuring risks are mitigated and opportunities are maximised. The person should be able to provide expert advice, manage complex and sensitive legal matters, build positive relationships with customers and develop innovative solutions. The work often has a significant impact on our strategy, risk profile, and overall success.
What you will be doing:
Provision of advice and representation including, without limitation, the following:
* Advertising copy (including prize promotions and marketing campaigns) also dealing with any ASA queries.
* Competition Law – ensuring the Group complies with all applicable competition law requirements
* Contract review and approval
* Leading on and negotiating contracts from general terms and conditions through to complex supplier contracts
* GDPR/Data Protection Act implementation and issues
* Escalated customer service complaints
* Employment – advice to HR
* IP law – copyright, registered designs and trademarks advice
* Assistance to Procurement team in relation to IT contracts, supply and framework agreements
* Quality – product safety, Far-East sourcing issues
* Trading Standards liaison, investigations and prosecutions
* Training for WH Smith staff - commercial contracts, consumer rights, competition law, IP law
* International franchise and joint venture agreements
* Setting up and supporting new businesses in various territories to support expansion of International business
* Assisting in application and renewal of permits, registrations, licences to facilitate operation of UK and International businesses
* Lead and provide support to the Legal Director on M&A activity
* Managing the Group trademark portfolio
* Civil litigation and criminal prosecutions
* Working closely with the Board, CEO and CFO as and when required
* Risk Management: Identifying and mitigating legal risks associated with cases and projects
Essential Criteria
* The successful candidate will already be working at a senior level and will have substantial experience across a broad range of corporate and commercial law, including both advising large corporates, and working in house at a UK listed company with international reach and regular engagement with senior stakeholders including at board level. A highly commercial approach will be essential and good experience of corporate governance strongly preferable.
* Ability to use own initiative and manage multiple tasks with minimum supervision.
* Willingness to travel internationally and work some unsocial hours – the role will require regular weekly travel to our Travel head office in London
Other requirements
* Strong commercial contracts experience
* Exposure to IP matters/Commercial Contracts/awareness of regulatory issues
* Retail sector experience/exposure
* M&A experience desirable
* Additional languages desirable but not essential
How we reward our teams
* Hybrid working model from home and in the office (3 days in the office split between London and Swindon)
* 4pm Friday finish
* Flexible Working
* 25 days holiday, plus your birthday off, plus Bank Holidays with an opportunity to buy extra days holiday
* Family friendly leave
* Company pension scheme
* Sharesave Scheme
* Annual Bonus based on company and Personal Performance
* Competitive salary plus car allowance
* Private Medical
About us
Celebrating 230 years, we are proud to have grown and evolved into a globally recognised brand present in over 30 countries around the world, and we're proud to be that air of familiarity people love and trust on their journey As a diverse group of over 5,000 colleagues, we are all on the same journey to a better business through our commitments to our planet, people and the communities we serve.
WH Smith are proud to be an inclusive employer. We want our colleagues to feel welcome, and free to be themselves with us.