Legal Director (18 months FTC)

Legal Director – 18-months FTC (with the possibility of becoming perm)

A leading, family-owned business with a strong presence in the FMCG, wholesale, and retail sectors is looking for an experienced Legal Director to lead its legal function. With a focus on contracts, intellectual property (IP), data protection, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and more, this is a highly influential role within the organization, offering strategic direction and oversight of key legal activities across multiple business areas.

Key Responsibilities:

• Legal Function Leadership: Take ownership of the legal function across all areas of the business, including contracts, intellectual property, data protection, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
• Oversight of Key Areas: Oversee the legal aspects of distribution, depots, and warehouse operations, collaborating closely with the COO of the Group and COO of Warehouses to ensure legal compliance and risk management.
• M&A and Acquisitions: Provide legal support for occasional acquisitions aligning legal considerations with the company’s strategic goals.
• Group Legal Work: Collaborate on group-wide legal issues, including work related to the pharmacy division and other strategic initiatives within the business.
• External Relationships: Manage relationships with external legal advisors and outsourced property teams, ensuring efficient use of resources and maintaining high standards of legal services.

Candidate Profile:

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in the FMCG, wholesale, or retail sectors, and must be comfortable working in a fast-paced and sometimes challenging environment. Familiarity with low-margin, high-volume business operations will be essential to succeed in this role.

• Legal Expertise: Extensive experience (PQE of 8 years +) in leading legal functions and managing legal affairs, with specific expertise in contracts, IP, data protection, and M&A.
• Industry Knowledge: A background in FMCG, wholesale, or retail is preferred, with an understanding of the unique challenges of these industries.
• Cultural Fit: Understanding of South Asian business culture is advantageous, as the company values this cultural alignment.
• Leadership Skills: Strong leadership capabilities to effectively manage a small in-house legal team and external legal advisors.
• Strategic Thinker: Ability to align legal strategy with business goals, providing practical and commercially viable legal solutions.
• Experience in Fast-Paced Environments: Demonstrated experience in working under pressure, managing multiple priorities, and handling complex legal matters in a dynamic business.

About the Company:

Our client is one of the largest family-owned businesses in the UK, employing over 6,500 individuals. Operating across FMCG, wholesale, and retail, the business is a well-established leader in its sector. With a focus on high-volume, low-margin business models, the company offers an exciting and dynamic environment for professionals who thrive in fast-paced and challenging roles.

With recent expansions into new sectors, the business is poised for continued development and success.

*Please be aware that this is an office-based role, requiring you to work from the office in North-West London five days a week.*

If you are an experienced legal professional looking to make a significant impact in a fast-growing, family-oriented company, we encourage you to apply.