Senior Legal Counsel (Corporate) in Northallerton

Froneri Group is a leading global ice cream company with its headquarters in North Yorkshire. Created in 2016 as a joint venture between R&R and Nestlé, Froneri is the second largest manufacturer of ice cream in the world. Froneri is present in over 20 countries with revenues of more than €5.5bn and over 12,000 employees. With an unrivalled focus on product innovation and quality, Froneri produces some of the world’s best-known brands such as Nestlé, Mondelēz, Del Monte and Kelly’s as well as own label products for leading supermarkets. Froneri is a truly unique business model based on a culture of excellence, with a passion for ice cream. Froneri is an agile organisation, with simple and efficient processes, and great people who collectively strive for excellence and drive business growth.

The Opportunity: Due to continued expansion, Froneri is seeking an additional lawyer to join the Group legal team on a permanent basis.

The Role: Reporting directly into the General Counsel, you will serve as a strategic legal partner and play a key role in all corporate legal matters for the Group both in the UK and internationally. This will include:

• Working alongside the General Counsel, advising on high-value corporate transactions, including management of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), strategic Joint Ventures, asset disposals, and private equity/fund investments, as well as supporting the Group’s Refinancing activities.
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiation of a wide range of corporate documents, including Sale and Purchase Agreements and Shareholders’ Agreements plus critical ancillary documents.
• Leading corporate structuring projects to optimise the corporate structure of the Group.
• Supporting the General Counsel on management of the Group’s corporate governance and compliance programme inclusive of the Group’s ESG strategy.
• Supporting operational businesses across 25 countries in the Group on a wide range of commercial legal issues.
• Advising key stakeholders on legal risk and regulation and helping make decisions on legal matters across the entire spectrum from Brand and IP matters through to regulatory compliance and the management of litigation.

The Candidate: To be considered for the role you must have:

• A UK legal qualification and high quality training from a respected large/medium sized commercial law firm or in‑house legal department.
• Minimum of 6 years PQE.
• Extensive corporate experience within M&A, as well as other general corporate work.
• High levels of accountability and drive, a sense of urgency and the ability to respond well to pressure and deadlines.
• A natural ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with the General Counsel, wider legal function and other stakeholders.
• Experience in more general commercial legal work such as commercial contracts would be advantageous.

Key Attractions:

• High levels of responsibility, visibility and inclusion.
• An opportunity to work with a truly embedded legal team which works in sync with the business offering practical commercial solutions within a legal context, not just standard legal advice.
• Regular management team exposure since sound legal advice underpins all areas of the Group’s business.
• Career development prospects. You will be part of the company’s future growth from a pivotal stage.
• Significant international exposure.
• Access to high quality and complex legal work.
• Being an integral member of a small but supportive team focused on enabling the business to succeed and delivering outstanding legal services.
• Convenient commute to the A1M motorway for commuting from the areas around North Yorkshire, Teesside, and the North East.

How to Apply: To apply, please send your CV and salary details to andyb@thinklegalrecruitment.com. This recruitment assignment is being handled on a retained and exclusive basis by Andy Balmer of Think Legal Recruitment and all direct or third‑party applications will be forwarded to him for consideration.