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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Draft and negotiate commercial contracts while providing legal advice across UK and Europe.
- Company: Join a leading global sportswear brand known for innovation and quality.
- Benefits: Enjoy potential remote work options and a dynamic corporate culture.
- Why this job: Be at the heart of a fast-paced business, influencing key decisions and driving success.
- Qualifications: Qualified lawyer with 2-3 years PQE and strong contract negotiation skills required.
- Other info: This is a 12-month maternity cover role with potential for extension or permanence.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Job Description
Step into a pivotal in-house role with a leading global sportswear brand house, where you will take full ownership of drafting and negotiating commercial contracts and deliver pragmatic legal advice across the UK and European markets.
Working closely with senior leadership, you will manage a variety of matters — from supply and distribution agreements to internal policies and governance — always balancing legal risk with commercial priorities.
If you are a qualified lawyer (UK or common law) with proven commercial contract expertise and a hands-on, business-focused approach, we would like to hear from you.
About the Role
This maternity cover role is for 12 months with potential to extend or go permanent. You will work at the heart of the business, providing strategic and hands-on legal support while ensuring compliance, mitigating risk, and enabling commercial success.
Key Responsibilities
Contract Drafting & Negotiation
- Independently draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements, including distribution, supply, agency, consultancy, sourcing, and service contracts.
- Lead negotiations to secure favourable commercial outcomes.
- Ensure all contracts are legally compliant, commercially viable, and aligned with business strategy.
Legal Advisory & Compliance
- Provide clear, concise legal advice to management and directors across the Group.
- Draft and update internal company policies, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Assess legal risk and recommend commercially practical solutions.
Corporate & HR Support
- Support corporate governance requirements, including maintaining legal records and filings.
- Draft employment-related documentation and advise on non-contentious HR matters.
- Liaise with external counsel where specialist expertise is required.
Operational Support
- Maintain and update the legal contracts database and legal resource library.
- Ensure Group-wide processes and policies are consistently applied.
- Report regularly to the Group CEO and participate in cross-functional meetings
Requirements
- Qualified lawyer with minimum 2–3 years PQE (UK or other common law jurisdiction).
- Proven ability to draft and negotiate contracts from start to completion (not just assist).
- Prior in-house experience in a commercial business environment preferred.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal concepts clearly.
- Commercially astute, proactive, and able to balance legal risk with business needs.
- Organised, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple matters under tight deadlines.
This is an excellent opportunity for a capable, self-sufficient legal professional who enjoys working closely with the business, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and wants the potential to secure a long-term in-house role.
Associate Legal Counsel employer: Provallar Executive Search
Contact Detail:
Provallar Executive Search Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Legal Counsel
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific legal frameworks and regulations that govern commercial contracts in the UK and Europe. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to understanding the nuances of the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the sportswear or broader retail industry. Attend relevant legal and business events, or join online forums where you can connect with others in similar roles. This can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you successfully negotiated contracts or provided legal advice that balanced risk with commercial needs. This will showcase your hands-on approach and ability to contribute to the business.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the company’s current legal challenges and recent developments in the sportswear industry. Being informed about their operations and potential legal issues will allow you to engage in meaningful discussions during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Legal Counsel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts. Emphasise any in-house experience and your ability to balance legal risk with business needs.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the role and the company. Mention specific examples of how you've provided legal advice and managed contracts in previous positions, demonstrating your proactive and commercially astute approach.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your qualifications as a lawyer, including your PQE and any relevant certifications. This is crucial for establishing your credibility and expertise in the field.
Showcase Communication Skills: In your application, provide examples of how you've effectively communicated complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders. This will demonstrate your strong communication skills, which are essential for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Provallar Executive Search
✨Showcase Your Contract Expertise
Be prepared to discuss specific examples of contracts you've drafted and negotiated. Highlight your ability to navigate complex legal issues while ensuring commercial viability, as this role heavily focuses on contract management.
✨Demonstrate Business Acumen
Understand the business model of the sportswear brand and how legal decisions impact commercial outcomes. Be ready to explain how you balance legal risks with business priorities in your previous roles.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice explaining complex legal concepts in simple terms. The interviewers will be looking for your ability to provide clear and concise legal advice to non-legal stakeholders, so demonstrate this skill during your discussions.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Anticipate questions that may involve hypothetical scenarios related to compliance, risk assessment, or contract negotiation. Think through your approach to these situations, showcasing your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.
