At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the legal function and provide strategic advice to drive business growth.
- Company: Dynamic retail company on a mission to revolutionise coffee.
- Benefits: Free drinks, discounts, wellness support, and rapid career progression.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with exciting opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a vibrant team and make a real impact in a growing company.
- Qualifications: Qualified lawyer with 8-10 years of experience in retail or FMCG.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
- Position
- General Counsel (12m FTC – Maternity Cover)
- Location
- SE1, London
- Reports to
- Co-CEOs and Board of Directors
- Position Overview
We’re on a mission to rid the world of boring average tasting coffee, and we need a maternity cover for our General Counsel to help us with our ambitious expansion plans.
We are looking for an experienced leader to run our small but mighty legal function.
In this role you will contribute hands‑on to scaling the business, provide strategic legal advice to the Board, Senior Leadership Team and wider teams, help us manage compliance and take calculated risks as we continue to expand, and guide us as we work towards our business objectives.
This is a great opportunity to work for a dynamic retail company, in a broad and impactful role.
Responsibilities
- Manage and develop the legal team, a pivotal business partner and functional centre of excellence within the organisation.
- Be a trusted advisor to the board and senior management on legal risk and mitigation strategies, and legal implications of business decisions.
- Develop and execute the legal team’s strategy, dovetailing with the wider business strategic pillars, objectives and values.
- Manage and oversee all legal areas including commercial, compliance, data protection, AI, litigation, employment, IP, corporate governance and company secretarial.
- Draft, review, and negotiate contracts and agreements.
- Handle dispute resolution and regulatory compliance.
- Maintain the group’s intellectual property portfolio to ensure protection across all current and future markets.
- Maintain and enhance the full suite of corporate template agreements including franchise agreements, supplier agreements, NDAs, letters, and notices.
- Implement legal policies and procedures to safeguard the organisation.
- Monitor and assess legislative, regulatory and sectoral developments. Educate and deliver engaging training to internal teams on relevant changes.
- Manage external legal counsel relationships and budgets.
- Embrace legal technology and continue to improve legal operations, processes and systems.
Requirements
- Qualified lawyer with a minimum of 8-10 years post‑qualification experience.
- Proven experience in a senior in‑house legal role in a medium/large UK retail or FMCG company (or similar).
- Strong understanding of broad range of legal areas, particularly in corporate, commercial, employment, and consumer protection.
Experience of franchising and property law would be highly advantageous.
- Excellent negotiation, communication, influencing and leadership skills.
- Positive and collaborative approach.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to balance legal risks with business objectives.
- Energised by managing and prioritising a large number of competing demands.
- Desirable: Experience with US companies and US law is a plus.
Benefits
- Monthly phone bills reimbursed – up to £50 per month.
- Free coffees and drinks at any of our locations, plus discounted food.
- Access to Stream, offering a variety of high‑street discounts.
- Up to 5% Interest on savings through Stream Build Pot.
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – access to confidential counselling and advice.
- Wellness App through our EAP.
- Quarterly take home coffee orders – pods, beans or ground coffee.
- Pension plan through NEST pensions – 3% employer contribution.
- Free daily breakfast, snacks and commercial coffee machine in the office.
- Monthly pub drinks, biannual staff socials and a fully stocked drinks fridge.
- Rapid career progression and development opportunities.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
General Counsel (12m FTC) employer: Black Sheep Coffee
Join a vibrant and innovative retail company in the heart of London, where your expertise as General Counsel will directly influence our mission to transform the coffee experience. We pride ourselves on a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and creativity, offering generous benefits such as free daily breakfast, wellness support, and opportunities for rapid career progression. With a focus on employee growth and a commitment to making a meaningful impact, this role is perfect for those looking to thrive in a fast-paced environment while enjoying unique perks.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land General Counsel (12m FTC)
✨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 Black Sheep Coffee.
✨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 Black Sheep Coffee 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 Black Sheep Coffee.
We think you need these skills to ace General Counsel (12m FTC)
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 Black Sheep Coffee and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!
How to prepare for a job interview at Black Sheep Coffee
✨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 General Counsel (12m FTC) role at Black Sheep Coffee. 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 Black Sheep Coffee.
