At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead legal affairs in the UK, managing contracts and compliance for strategic initiatives.
- Company: Join a dynamic multinational corporation focused on innovative solutions and growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, professional development opportunities, and a vibrant company culture.
- Why this job: Be part of impactful projects, collaborate with diverse teams, and enhance your legal expertise.
- Qualifications: Law degree required; 2+ years of relevant experience preferred, especially in multinational settings.
- Other info: Opportunity to support business expansion into Ireland and engage in intellectual property protection.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Position Overview:
Following a recent acquisition, this Legal Counsel role is a pivotal member of our legal team, responsible for comprehensively leading and managing all legal affairs for our operations in the United Kingdom. This includes providing dedicated support for key strategic initiatives in the UK and championing Group-level compliance within the UK entity. The role will also extend to supporting new company establishment and business rollout efforts in Ireland. This position requires strong independent project-managing abilities, robust legal research and analytical skills, and excellent communication abilities to effectively collaborate with internal teams, group headquarters, and external stakeholders including governmental departments.
Work Place: United Kingdom
Responsibilities:
- Comprehensive UK Legal Operations: Draft, review, negotiate, and finalize a wide range of contracts, agreements, and other legal documents essential for the company’s business operations in the UK, including but not limited to commercial agreements, vendor contracts, partnership agreements, and potentially leases or construction agreements as relevant to the business. Organize and manage the contract approval matrix and ensure systematic archiving of legal documents for the UK entity. Provide dedicated and specialized legal support for key strategic projects and initiatives within the UK, advising on all related legal and regulatory aspects from inception to completion.
- Legal Risk Management & Compliance (UK Focus): Conduct legal research and manage legal risks in relation to the company’s operations in the UK (both offline and online, if applicable). Independently manage and handle comprehensive legal projects and advisory related to UK regulatory requirements, including but not limited to importation/exportation compliance, product labeling/marking (if applicable), advertising compliance, data protection (UK GDPR, DPA), employment law, and consumer protection requirements. Develop, implement, and monitor compliance programs and policies for the UK entity, ensuring adherence to local laws (e.g., Companies Act, UK GDPR, anti-bribery laws) and Group-level compliance standards. Manage corporate secretarial matters for the UK entity, ensuring good corporate governance.
- Ireland Company Establishment & Business Rollout Support: Act as a key legal partner supporting the Group's establishment strategies and business rollout in Ireland. Provide legal due diligence, risk assessment, and strategic advice for market entry, new business setups, and potential M&A activities in Ireland, coordinating with HQ and external counsel as needed.
- Intellectual Property Protection: Oversee the protection of the company’s intellectual property rights (trademarks, copyrights, patents, etc.) in the UK and support regional IP strategies. Review and negotiate IP licensing and related contracts and agreements to ensure compliance with applicable laws and in the best interest of the company.
- Stakeholder & External Counsel Management: Liaise effectively with external legal counsel in the UK, Ireland, and government agencies to ensure smooth operations and compliance with legal obligations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams (local, regional, and Group) to understand business needs and provide practical, commercially-sound legal solutions.
- Headquarters & Group Legal Liaison: Assist the headquarters (HQ) legal team with legal affairs in relation to auditor’s reviews, adjustments of shareholding structure (if applicable to UK/Ireland), M&A activities affecting the UK or Ireland, and other legal matters as assigned by the HQ legal team from time to time.
- Knowledge Sharing & Development: Participate in and, where appropriate, conduct legal training sessions to enhance the legal knowledge and compliance awareness of internal teams in the UK.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree or above in Law (LLB, LLM, or JD preferred) from a recognized university.
- Eligibility to practice law in England & Wales (or equivalent UK jurisdiction); alternatively, qualification in another common law jurisdiction with substantial experience in UK law.
- Minimum of 2 years of relevant legal experience, ideally with a combination of law firm and in-house counsel experience, preferably within a multinational corporation. Experience in specific industry is a plus.
- Strong legal research and analytical skills, with the ability to independently manage projects, interpret, and apply complex legal provisions relevant to the UK and Ireland.
- Solid understanding of UK contract law, commercial law, corporate law (Companies Act), data privacy (UK GDPR, DPA), and relevant industry regulations.
Desired Skills:
- Experience working in a transnational corporation and familiarity with navigating matrix organizations.
- Excellent command of English (both written and spoken) is a must.
- Proven ability to work independently, take ownership of assigned tasks, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Creative and pragmatic thinker with the ability to provide innovative yet practical legal solutions to complex business challenges.
- Positive attitude, commercially astute, and results-oriented approach, with a strong commitment to the company’s values and mission.
- Proficient in legal software and technology tools, as well as Microsoft Office suite.
Associate Legal Counsel employer: POP MART
Contact Detail:
POP MART Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Legal Counsel
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with UK-specific legal frameworks, especially those related to corporate governance and compliance. Understanding the Companies Act and UK GDPR will give you a solid foundation to discuss how you can contribute to our legal operations.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the legal field, particularly those who have experience in multinational corporations. Engaging with industry peers can provide insights into the role and may even lead to valuable referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to demonstrate your project management skills during the interview. Think of examples where you've successfully managed legal projects or initiatives, as this is crucial for the Associate Legal Counsel position.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams. Be ready to discuss how you've worked with different departments to achieve legal compliance and support business objectives, as this is key to our operations.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Legal Counsel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant legal experience, particularly in UK law and compliance. Emphasise any project management roles and your ability to handle complex legal matters.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, explain why you are passionate about the role of Associate Legal Counsel. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your legal research skills and your ability to manage projects independently.
Showcase Relevant Skills: Highlight your strong communication abilities and experience working with cross-functional teams. Provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with internal and external stakeholders in previous roles.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread your documents for any grammatical or typographical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial in a legal role.
How to prepare for a job interview at POP MART
✨Know Your Legal Fundamentals
Brush up on your knowledge of UK contract law, corporate law, and data privacy regulations. Be prepared to discuss how these laws apply to the company's operations and demonstrate your understanding of relevant legal frameworks.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Since the role requires strong independent project management abilities, come ready with examples of past projects you've managed. Highlight how you navigated challenges and ensured compliance with legal requirements.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to handle real-world legal issues. Prepare scenarios related to compliance, contract negotiation, or risk management, and outline your approach to resolving them effectively.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
Effective communication is key in this role. Practice articulating complex legal concepts in simple terms, as you'll need to collaborate with various stakeholders. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully communicated legal advice in the past.