Legal Counsel - Commercial & Legal Operations (Maternity Cover) in London

Legal Counsel - Commercial & Legal Operations (Maternity Cover) in London

London Temporary 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Belmond

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Provide commercial legal support and enhance legal operations for a global luxury brand.
  • Company: Join Belmond, a pioneer in slow luxury travel with a rich heritage.
  • Benefits: Fostering culture of kindness, personal growth, and professional development opportunities.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on efficiency and continuous improvement.
  • Why this job: Be part of a transformative legal team impacting luxury experiences worldwide.
  • Qualifications: Qualified lawyer with commercial contracting and legal operations experience.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

The Opportunity

Belmond is at an exciting point in the evolution of its Legal function. We are strengthening how Legal supports the business, not only through exceptional legal advice, but through best‑in‑class legal operations, process excellence and scalable ways of working. This role offers a unique opportunity to join the Legal and Corporate Integrity team during this evolution. As Legal Counsel, you will combine high‑quality commercial legal support with a central role in advancing our legal operations maturity, helping shape how Legal delivers impact across a global luxury brand.

We are seeking a lawyer who is as comfortable transforming processes and driving efficiency as they are drafting and negotiating complex agreements – someone who sees Legal as a strategic enabler of the business.

Requirements

  • Commercial Legal Partnering
    • Provide clear, pragmatic and commercially focused advice to stakeholders across Belmond's global business
    • Navigate legal and commercial risk with sound judgement
    • Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including marketing, PR, technology, SaaS, supplier and distribution agreements
  • Legal Operations & Transformation
    • Lead and optimise contract lifecycle processes, including contract databases and repositories
    • Own and enhance legal tools and systems, including DocuSign and legal contracting software
    • Develop and refine templates, playbooks and self‑service tools
    • Drive process improvement, automation and simplification
    • Contribute to the development of Belmond's Legal Ops capability
  • Governance, Risk & Continuous Improvement
    • Promote compliance with Belmond's contract policies
    • Monitor and communicate legal and commercial risks
    • Keep key policies and booking terms up to date
    • Support trademark and brand protection matters
    • Partner with the General Counsel and Legal team

Who You Are

  • Qualified lawyer with strong commercial contracting experience
  • Experience or strong exposure to legal operations, including CLM, legal tech and process improvement
  • Commercially astute and solution‑oriented
  • Strong stakeholder management skills
  • Process‑driven with a focus on efficiency and continuous improvement

Benefits

What We Offer

At Belmond, we pride ourselves on fostering a culture built on kindness, active listening, and genuine connections with our colleagues and guests. We strive to create an environment where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally. With a commitment to your ongoing development, you'll have the opportunity to learn and grow alongside some of the most talented individuals in the industry. Join us and be part of creating unforgettable moments for our guests, communities and each other.

About Us

Belmond was born from a passion for connecting discerning travellers with the world's most remarkable properties, locations and journeys. From hotels and trains to river cruises and safari lodges, Belmond's Slow Luxury invites guests to discover a new pace of travel as they savour time, engage with local culture, and connect with nature and people through incomparable experiences and unforgettable stories.

With a legacy spanning over 45 years, since the acquisition of Hotel Cipriani in Venice in 1976, Belmond has grown into a global collection of 43 properties spread across 24 countries and territories. Exceptional destinations connected by legendary journeys are the very soul of Belmond, where the path that brings you to a place is as important as the destination itself. A pioneer of slow travel, Belmond has been operating the Venice Simplon‑Orient‑Express since 1982. Belmond later expanded to include pristine beach resorts, such as Maroma on the Riviera Maya, historic hideaways such as Villa San Michele in the Florentine foothills, urbane icons, such as Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro, and gateways to UNESCO world heritage sites, such as Hotel das Cataratas in Brazil's Iguassu National Park. As proud custodians of storied properties, Belmond is committed to building on the past to create a new legacy: the heritage of the future. Working with communities and local talents, together with the world's most respected chefs, designers and artists, Belmond continues its purpose of perpetuating the legendary art of travel. Since 2019, Belmond has been part of the world's leading luxury group, LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton).

Legal Counsel - Commercial & Legal Operations (Maternity Cover) in London employer: Belmond

Belmond is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work aboard the luxurious Britannic Explorer, where you can immerse yourself in a vibrant team culture dedicated to delivering unforgettable experiences. With a focus on employee growth and development, you will enjoy benefits such as health insurance and engaging team events, all while being part of a prestigious brand that values storytelling in travel.

Belmond

Contact Details:

Belmond Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Legal Counsel - Commercial & Legal Operations (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 Belmond.

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 Belmond 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 Belmond.

We think you need these skills to ace Legal Counsel - Commercial & Legal Operations (Maternity Cover) in London

Commercial Contracting
Legal Operations
Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM)
Legal Technology
Process Improvement
Stakeholder Management
Drafting and Negotiating Agreements

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 Belmond and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!

How to prepare for a job interview at Belmond

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 Legal Counsel - Commercial & Legal Operations (Maternity Cover) role at Belmond. 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 Belmond.