Senior Legal Counsel (12-Month Fixed Term Contract Maternity Cover) in London

Senior Legal Counsel (12-Month Fixed Term Contract Maternity Cover) in London

London Temporary No working from home possible
Acco

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead legal agreements and provide support across the UK, Ireland, and Nordics.
  • Company: Accor, a global leader in hospitality with a focus on innovation and inclusivity.
  • Benefits: Private medical insurance, enhanced pension, discounts, and complimentary hotel stays.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for career growth and development.
  • Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a meaningful impact in the hospitality industry.
  • Qualifications: Law degree, 6+ years of experience, strong negotiation skills, and commercial awareness.

Senior Legal Counsel (12-Month Fixed Term Contract Maternity Cover)

  • Full-time
  • Job Type: Temporary

Accor is a world-leading hospitality group offering unique and meaningful experiences in more than 110 countries. With a diverse portfolio of over 40 hotel brands spanning luxury, premium, midscale, and economy segments, Accor is dedicated to delivering exceptional service and unforgettable stays to millions of guests worldwide.

At the heart of Accor’s success is its people. The group is driven by a strong culture of innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity, empowering employees to bring their individuality and passion to work every day. From front-of-house teams to corporate roles, Accor fosters an environment where talent is nurtured, ideas are valued, and career growth is actively supported.

Accor is also deeply committed to sustainability and responsible hospitality. Through its ongoing initiatives, the group works to reduce environmental impact, support local communities, and promote ethical business practices across all its operations.

Joining Accor means becoming part of a global network where opportunities are vast and diverse. Whether you are starting your career or looking to take the next step, Accor offers a dynamic and forward-thinking workplace where you can develop your skills, broaden your experience, and make a meaningful impact in the world of hospitality.

In this role, you will:

  • Lead the drafting, negotiation and execution of franchise agreements, hotel management agreements and related commercial contracts.
  • Provide legal support to the Development and Operations teams across the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Nordics.
  • Advise on hotel development transactions, including confidentiality agreements, letters of intent, transaction structures and commercial negotiations.
  • Support operational legal matters, including changes of ownership, contract amendments, terminations, exits and owner or franchisee disputes.
  • Provide commercially focused legal advice on contract law and operational matters.
  • Advise on branded residential projects and associated legal risks.
  • Support financing transactions, guarantees, joint ventures and other strategic commercial projects where required.
  • Ensure compliance with franchise regulations, disclosure obligations, competition law and other relevant legal requirements.
  • Manage relationships with external legal advisers and coordinate legal support across multiple jurisdictions.
  • Monitor legislative developments and provide practical guidance to the business.
  • Develop and maintain legal templates, playbooks and standardised processes that improve efficiency and minimise risk.
  • Deliver legal training and guidance to business stakeholders.
  • Participate in regional legal projects, working groups and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Manage and report on small claims within the region.

About you:

We're looking for an experienced legal professional who combines strong technical expertise with commercial judgement and the ability to build trusted relationships across the business.

You’ll ideally have:

  • A law degree (or equivalent Legal Executive qualification) with a current practising qualification where applicable.
  • At least 6 years' post-qualification experience (PQE), or equivalent, gained within a leading law firm, an international in-house legal team, or a combination of both.
  • Significant experience negotiating complex commercial agreements, ideally within hospitality, franchising, real estate or development.
  • Excellent drafting, negotiation and contract management skills.
  • Strong commercial awareness and the ability to provide practical, business-focused legal advice.
  • Experience supporting complex cross-border transactions and working across multiple jurisdictions.
  • The confidence to influence and advise senior stakeholders while simplifying complex legal issues into clear, practical guidance.
  • Exceptional analytical, problem‑solving and decision‑making skills.
  • A collaborative approach with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
  • The ability to work independently, prioritise effectively and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Fluency in English.

Additional experience we'd value:

  • Experience within the hospitality sector or franchise businesses.
  • Experience advising on hotel management or franchise agreements.
  • Previous in-house legal experience within an international organisation.

Here are some of the benefits you will enjoy when in role:

  • Private Medical Insurance
  • Enhanced Pension
  • Our extensive range in salary sacrifice schemes
  • Discounts and complimentary hotel stays

Join us to discover the rest, we look forward to receiving your application!

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Senior Legal Counsel (12-Month Fixed Term Contract Maternity Cover) in London employer: Acco

Join AccorInvest UK, a leading hospitality employer in the vibrant heart of London, where we prioritise employee growth and development within a dynamic culinary team. Enjoy competitive compensation, a collaborative work culture, and opportunities to enhance your culinary skills through regular training sessions. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion ensures that every team member feels valued and supported, making it an excellent place for passionate individuals to thrive.

Acco

Contact Details:

Acco Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Legal Counsel (12-Month Fixed Term Contract Maternity Cover) in London

Get Involved in Legal Networking Events

Jump into local or virtual legal networking events to meet industry pros and get your foot in the door! Use platforms like Eventbrite or Meetup to find gatherings, as these are great for making connections and hearing about temporary roles at firms like Acco.

Showcase Your Skills Online

Create a simple online portfolio to showcase your legal work, whether that's case briefs, research papers, or even blog posts on legal topics. This public display can really set you apart when looking for temp roles in law, especially if you can make it relevant to the work that Acco does!

Tap into Law School Resources

If you're near a law school, hit up their career services. They often have leads on temporary positions and can help connect you with alumni working at firms. Plus, they might host workshops or job fairs specific to the legal sector—great for scoring that temp position!

Stay Updated with Legal Job Boards

Regularly check specialised legal job boards like LawCareers.Net or TotallyLegal for temporary listings. Many firms post their openings directly there, and applying quickly can give you an edge over the competition when looking to join a prestigious firm like Acco.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Legal Counsel (12-Month Fixed Term Contract Maternity Cover) in London

Legal Drafting
Contract Negotiation
Commercial Contracts Management
Legal Compliance
Cross-Border Transactions
Analytical Skills
Problem-Solving Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Legal Know-How:In the legal services world, it's all about demonstrating your understanding of relevant laws and regulations. Make sure your CV highlights your legal training, internships, or any relevant projects you've worked on. If you've done any mooting or legal research, include those too - they can really set you apart!

Tailor Your Application for the Temp Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should stress your adaptability and readiness to jump in right away. Highlight any previous temp roles where you quickly got up to speed, or any diverse experiences that show you can handle a variety of cases or tasks with ease.

Keep it Specific with Your Documents:Make sure your application includes essential legal documents, such as any relevant certifications or memberships in legal bodies. These can add credibility to your CV and show that you're serious about the profession – especially useful in a competitive field like law!

Express Your Enthusiasm in the Cover Letter:Your cover letter is a golden opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Let them know why you’re excited about this temporary position with Acco and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!

How to prepare for a job interview at Acco

Show Off Your Legal Know-How

Prepare to discuss your understanding of legal terminology and concepts that might come up during the interview for the Senior Legal Counsel (12-Month Fixed Term Contract Maternity Cover) role at Acco. Brush up on relevant laws or recent cases that could be pertinent to the temporary position, as they'll likely appreciate candidates who can think on their feet and adapt to the fast-paced legal environment.

Talk About Your Flexibility

Since this is a temporary role, employers want to know you can hit the ground running. Be ready to highlight past experiences where you've had to quickly adapt to new tasks or work cultures. Flexibility is key in a short-term position like this, so share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage changing priorities efficiently.

Prepare for the Casework Challenge

You might face hypothetical scenarios where you'd have to advise on a legal issue or case. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, as interviewers in the legal sector often expect candidates to walk them through their reasoning step-by-step. This will not only showcase your legal acumen but also demonstrate your communication skills, which are crucial in law.

Pitch Your Legal Portfolio

If you have any relevant work samples, such as briefs, contracts, or legal research, this is your chance to shine! Be ready to discuss what you did, what challenges you faced, and the outcomes. This speaks volumes more than just listing your skills; it shows you're proactive and results-oriented, which is essential for a temporary role at Acco.