Legal Counsel - EMEA (12 Month FTC)

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is headquartered globally in Hollywood, California, with European headquarters in East Grinstead, UK, and other European offices in London, UK, Cavan, Ireland, Moerdijk, the Netherlands, and Hamburg, Germany. Fender was born in Southern California and has built a worldwide influence beyond the studio and the stage. A Fender is more than an instrument; it’s a cultural symbol that resonates globally.

We are currently seeking a Legal Counsel – EMEA to be responsible for drafting and negotiating Fender’s commercial contracts and supporting the legal, human resources, sales and compliance team. This is a 12-month fixed-term contract to cover maternity leave. This role calls for a legal professional who can wear multiple hats and someone who loves navigating a never-ending variety of challenges. In this position you will report to Fender’s Assistant General Counsel and support our dynamic legal team. This position is mostly remote, requiring periodic visits to our East Grinstead office.

Essential Functions:

• Provide day-to-day legal advice and support in connection with various legal matters impacting Fender’s Europe, Middle East, and Africa (“EMEA”) region, particularly focusing on the United Kingdom and European Union.
• Partner with various business units including sales, finance, supply chain, marketing, R&D, and sales to provide legal counsel on a variety of issues including contracting, employment, litigation, trade, corporate governance, data privacy and regulatory compliance (particularly product compliance).
• Provide strategic legal advice on key commercial and brand partnerships, supporting Fender’s business growth and risk management objectives across the EMEA region.
• Draft, review and negotiate all types of commercial contracts (including confidentiality, vendor, partnership, employment, lease, data processing, and master services agreements) and related documents (including statements of work, amendments, addenda, attachments, forms, etc.).
• Provide practical employment-related legal advice to our EMEA human resources team.
• Develop and maintain up-to-date knowledge and awareness of the musical instrument manufacturing industry and relevant regulatory and/or policy developments and analyse the impact of such developments on Fender’s business in the EMEA region.
• Provide training to business units in the EMEA region to increase levels of compliance and awareness.
• Develop and implement internal policies and procedures where appropriate due to legal, regulatory, industry, and business developments.
• Cost effectively monitor and oversee outside counsel and litigation to ensure successful resolution.
• Perform other key legal, advisory, training, and compliance-related tasks as may be required from time to time.

Qualifications:

• Qualified to practise law in England & Wales or in an EU member-state jurisdiction, by degree, diploma, or professional certification.
• Proven years of experience in a globally recognised law firm or corporate in-house legal department is required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Previous in-house experience in a consumer products company a plus.
• Extensive experience and proven working knowledge of commercial contracts, compliance, and employment law.
• Ability to multi-task and effectively manage multiple ongoing priorities in a fast-paced business environment.
• Interest in and ability to stay up-to-date on cutting edge legal and regulatory developments that impact Fender’s business in the EMEA region.
• Strong business acumen and communication skills coupled with the ability to provide legal and compliance advice in the context of business initiatives and goals.
• An unwavering attention to detail, paired with excellent partnership management and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to effectively work remotely and still provide an optimal level of service to the business.
• Willingness and ability to travel throughout the UK and EU, and potentially to the US.