About us:
Our teams are putting the world's retailers online using the cloud, robotics, AI, and IoT. We provide services to partner clients globally via our innovative advanced robotics technology, known as the Ocado Smart Platform ("OSP"), this drives our highly automated, multi-million pound Customer Fulfilment Centres (CFCs). In our CFCs - together with the proprietary software applications - we operate a world-class online grocery business that automates the single pick of products, ready for your online delivery.
About the role:
We are seeking a seasoned Senior Legal Counsel with expertise in the technology and software industry. Responsible for drafting, negotiating, and advising on domestic and international commercial matters, including technology procurement and hardware agreements.
In this role you will act as a commercial trusted advisor on commercial and transactional matters across the Ocado Group, both in the UK and internationally whilst supervising other Legal Counsel and junior members of the team.
Reporting to the Associate General Counsel, you will be required to meet expectations at pace on all aspects of commercial and technology law and transactional matters as well as contribute to the functional strategy of the team.
In this role you will be:
* Working collaboratively with senior stakeholders across the Business up to the Executive Director level
* Drafting, negotiating and providing expert advice on new and existing Ocado Solution Platform and Ocado Intelligent Automation contracts
* Drafting, negotiating and providing expert advice on a wide range of domestic and cross border general commercial work in respect of technology and software including:
o technology and hardware procurement arrangements including supply and/or manufacture agreements
o IT procurement including appointment of cloud service providers, SaaS and IT licences
o IP matters including collaboration agreements, licensing and cross-licensing
o data protection matters including data protection agreements and advice, and
o logistics and distribution agreements
* Ensuring compliance with corporate governance (including competition/antitrust policies) as part of any negotiations
* Anticipating, identifying and advising on disputes, construction/property, employment, corporate and financing issues in the context of commercial contracts and working collaboratively with the Disputes, Employment, Construction and Corporate Legal team on relevant matters
* Anticipating, identifying and advising on IP, competition and data protection issues in the context of commercial contracts and working collaboratively with the Compliance and Regulatory team on relevant matters
* Leading on the commercial legal aspects of key projects, including corporate and capital markets transactions, for example leading on the negotiation of transitional services agreements and ensuring milestones and objectives are met
* Demonstrates a pragmatic and customer focussed approach to risk management.
* Liaising and managing external counsel effectively from a delivery, risk and cost perspective on a daily basis
* Contributing to the development of the legal team's strategy and proactively maintain and raising the profile of the team by developing and taking forward team initiatives/objectives
* Developing and providing training and legal updates to the business on various areas of the law and regulatory matters
* Developing Ocado standard contract templates and know-how material
What we are looking for:
* A qualified solicitor or barrister with 8 years PQE in commercial and technology contracts. (People outside of this will be considered)
* Experience in advising on international commercial and technology law.
* Proven track record of working with senior management and operating in complex environments.
* Strong academic qualifications and a background in technology and software transactions.
* Ideally will have trained with a leading law firm or in-house team with a particular focus on commercial and technology transactions
* In-depth experience of domestic and cross border transactional drafting, negotiating, and advising on a wide variety of commercial contracts in respect of technology investments, engineering and IT procurement, design, manufacture, supply and licensing including master service agreements, collaboration agreements, general terms and conditions, SaaS subscription agreements, logistics & distribution agreements and e-commerce agreements
Preferred (in addition to minimum):
* Experience of working with technology organisations and/or engineering would be valued
* Previous experience within an in-house legal team
* Experience of corporate, capital markets and M&A transactions.
What we offer you
Our employee benefits are designed for you, we care about people and we've ensured we have a wealth of benefits that focus on your well-being. We regularly review our benefits to ensure we are supporting our employees appropriately.
* 30 days 'working from anywhere in the world' policy
* Wellbeing support through dedicated apps and an Employee Assistance Programme
* 25 days annual leave, rising to 27 days after 5 years service (plus optional holiday purchase)
* Pension scheme (various options available including employer contribution matching up to 7%)
* Generous Private Medical Insurance (within the first month of joining!)
* Income Protection (can be up to 50% of salary for 3 years) and Life Assurance (3 x annual salary)
* 22 weeks paid maternity leave and 6 weeks paid paternity leave (once relevant service requirements complete)
* Train Ticket loan (interest-free)
* Cycle to Work Scheme
* Free shuttle bus to and from Hatfield Train Station to the Hatfield offices
* Free shuttle bus to and from Welwyn Garden City Train Station to the Welwyn Garden City offices
* Opportunity to participate in Sharesave and Buy as You Earn share schemes
* 15% discount on Ocado.com and free delivery for all employees (within the first month of joining!)