At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our legal team to tackle exciting commercial challenges and negotiate impactful contracts.
- Company: EF Education First, a global leader in immersive education since 1965.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, private medical insurance, gym access, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic workplace culture with a focus on collaboration and personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a vibrant, entrepreneurial environment with international exposure.
- Qualifications: English qualified solicitor with experience in commercial law and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 ÂŁ per year.
Office location: London or Berkhamsted (on-site)
About EF Education First
At EF we believe that the world is better when people try to understand one another. Since 1965, we have helped millions of people see new places, experience new cultures, and learn new things about the world and about themselves. Our culturally immersive education programs—focused on language, travel, cultural exchange, and academics—turn dreams into international opportunities.
The Opportunity
We have an exciting opportunity for a mid-level English qualified solicitor to join the existing legal team of our UK-based business division, which offers a range of B2B product lines, including language training to corporates and executive leadership programs. From our Ashridge Estate located in Hertfordshire, we complement our B2B educational offerings with a B2C business (hospitality, weddings, conferences, events). We are looking for an individual who will work under the guidance and direction of the Senior Legal Counsel who heads up the B2B legal team, in an environment where important hands-on commercial decisions need to be made quickly and frequently in a very entrepreneurial context.
Scope
- Finding workable solutions to legal issues and taking proactive ownership to secure implementation throughout our international organisation.
- Drafting, reviewing and negotiating a range of legal documentation, in particular customer and supplier contracts, helping commercial managers to identify what is most important.
- Facing external stakeholders such as procurement and legal departments within large B2B clients in commercial deal making and negotiations.
Requirements
- English qualified solicitor (3 – 4 years’ PQE (or equivalent experience)) with broad legal experience working in-house or within the commercial department of a private practice law firm. The PQE level is very much a guide and those with greater or lesser experience are encouraged to apply if they feel they would be a good fit.
- Commercial law and relevant experience in IP and data protection are essential.
- Fluency in English essential with a professional working proficiency in another language desirable.
- Commercial acumen; ability to balance risk vs. reward, theory vs. practice.
- Experience in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, preferably within an international context on sale and supplier side.
- Extremely strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Displays a high level of integrity, professionalism and collaboration skills.
- Creativity – ability to develop workable creative win-win solutions with clients and suppliers.
- Self-motivated with aptitude to work autonomously, yet humble and asking for expertise support as needed.
- Ability to work efficiently and prioritise in a fast-paced environment.
- Decisive and comfortable being part of quick decision-making processes, at times with an incomplete set of data, requiring ability to drive decisions and take calculated risks.
- Ability to adapt to an international culture in a vibrant, sales driven and non-hierarchical organisational structure without “corner offices”, interacting with versatile stakeholders.
Why work for us?
- Developing our talent is core to our values. We provide regular training, access to self-development platforms, real ownership, and career progression opportunities.
- Comprehensive Onboarding and development programs.
- Length of Service Recognition including paid sabbatical.
- A strong network of international peers and collaborators.
With campuses and offices in over 50 countries, including the beautiful Ashridge House outside London, we offer a truly global and collaborative environment.
UK Staff Benefits
- Office gym & yoga studio.
- Cycle scheme.
- Private Medical Insurance.
- Loan for annual travel passes.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
EF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to inclusion and belonging across race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, disability, parental status, identity, experience and everything else that makes you unique.
Legal Counsel employer: EF Corporate Learning
Contact Detail:
EF Corporate Learning Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Counsel
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at EF Education First on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding EF's mission and values. Show us how your legal expertise aligns with our commitment to cultural exchange and education. We love candidates who are passionate about what we do!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since the role involves dealing with external stakeholders, being able to demonstrate your ability to find win-win solutions during mock interviews can set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Counsel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Legal Counsel role. Highlight your relevant experience in commercial law, IP, and data protection, and show us how you can bring value to our team.
Show Off Your Communication Skills: Since strong communication is key in this role, use your application to demonstrate your ability to convey complex legal concepts clearly. We want to see how you can engage with various stakeholders effectively.
Be Yourself: We love authenticity! Let your personality shine through in your application. Share your unique experiences and how they’ve shaped your approach to legal challenges—this helps us get to know the real you.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it reaches the right people in our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at EF Corporate Learning
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your commercial law knowledge, especially around IP and data protection. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the specific legal challenges EF faces in their B2B environment.
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be dealing with external stakeholders, practice articulating complex legal concepts in simple terms. Think of examples where you've successfully negotiated contracts or resolved disputes to demonstrate your strong interpersonal skills.
✨Be Ready for Quick Decisions
EF operates in a fast-paced environment, so prepare to showcase your ability to make quick, informed decisions. Think of scenarios where you had to balance risk and reward, and be ready to discuss how you approached those situations.
✨Embrace the Culture
Familiarise yourself with EF's values and culture. They appreciate creativity and collaboration, so come prepared with ideas on how you can contribute to their entrepreneurial spirit and work effectively within their non-hierarchical structure.