Legal Counsel Express UKI in Derby

About DHL and Legal Services: DHL Group is the logistics provider of the world with over 580,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories. We are an organization that is not just moving goods around; we have a very clear purpose: Connecting People. Improving Lives. We provide challenges and opportunities for personal and professional development, recognising the difference you bring to our business, and together we share the pride of building one of the largest world leaders in logistics and supply chain.

DHL Legal Services offers all business partners worldwide solution-oriented legal advice. We provide comprehensive support in contracts, negotiations, and processes with customers and suppliers as well as in general litigation and commercial law matters.

Role Purpose

The Legal Counsel – Express UK&I provides broad commercial and regulatory legal support to the Express business across the UK and Ireland. You will operate as a trusted adviser to senior leadership teams, operational functions, product teams, commercial colleagues, and the Compliance organisation, where required. This role requires strong business intimacy, excellent judgment, and the ability to deliver pragmatic, actionable advice at speed — fully aligned with the “One Legal Team committed to accelerate sustainable growth” vision. The role reports into the Head of Legal – Express UK&I, as part of a small, dedicated and highly collaborative commercial legal team, including a Senior Legal Counsel.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise and counsel senior leaders and line management to ensure current or proposed business activities, policies, practices and transactions comply with relevant laws and regulations.
• Review legal analyses and technical reports to recommend a response to legal issues or proposed changes in laws and regulations.
• Draft, negotiate and advise on a wide range of commercial agreements, including transportation and logistics service agreements; supplier contracts; local/global sponsorship and partnership agreements; cross-border and customs-related services, to protect the organization’s legal and commercial interests.
• Support major tenders, strategic customer and supplier opportunities and network transformation projects.
• Provide clear, commercially-grounded advice that balances legal risk with operational realities and business growth.
• Provide Company Secretarial services as and when required on behalf of certain Group entities within the UK.
• Support and respond to commercial litigation or other specialized proceedings brought against DHL Group, managing external counsel resources as and when necessary.
• Coach less experienced legal staff and help them resolve problems.
• Conduct work associated with Legal Counsel, Legal Research & Document Drafting, Contract Negotiation & Administration and Legal Records Management.
• Use legal tech, matter management and data tools to support speed, efficiency and visibility; and promote legal self-service where appropriate (e.g., NDAs, standard terms).
• Maintain a “first-choice mindset” by continuously improving how Legal supports network operations and commercial teams.
• Participate in DHL Group Practice Groups and Centres of Excellence.
• Support the development of colleagues through knowledge sessions, playbook development and best-practice sharing.

Your Profile

• UK qualified solicitor with 4+ years’ post-qualification experience.
• Strong commercial contracts experience gained in-house and/or private practice.
• Commercially minded, pragmatic and decisive, with the confidence to advise independently.
• Experience working within a global matrix organization.
• Experience in aviation, transport, logistics, supply chain, postal, or FMCG sectors, preferred but not essential.
• Good understanding of ESG issues relevant to transport and logistics (emissions, supply chain integrity, sustainability commitments), preferred but not essential.
• Able to manage priorities effectively and perform well under time pressure.
• Demonstrates professionalism, integrity and sound judgment, with the gravitas to engage senior stakeholders.

We offer:

• A high-impact legal role at the heart of the world’s most international company.
• Exposure to cutting-edge logistical, technological and operational innovations.
• A fast-paced, commercially dynamic environment where legal advice directly enables growth.
• Strong connection to global legal networks and development pathways across DHL Group.
• The opportunity to shape Express UK&I’s sustainable growth strategy.
• Tempting Compensation and benefits.
• Remote / hybrid working mode.

DHL is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. If this is something you would like to do, don’t hesitate, and start your application.