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- Tasks: Provide practical legal advice and manage commercial contracts in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join Howdens, a leading FTSE 100 trade kitchen supplier with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent pension, 25 days holiday, and staff discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while building relationships and developing your legal expertise.
- Qualifications: UK qualified solicitor with at least 2 years PQE and commercial contracts experience.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with opportunities for growth and innovation.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are on the lookout for a bright, enthusiastic lawyer to join a small legal team at the heart of Howdens, a fast‑moving FTSE 100 business. You’ll be entrusted with real responsibility from the start: both for delivering great, practical legal advice and building your own relationships - whether that is with our exec team or our dynamic depot managers. The role is varied. Depending on previous experience and your own interests, you will cover everything from commercial contracts and logistics to marketing, data protection and IP. We want you to be an integrated part of our business. This is an initial 12‑month FTC based at our Raunds office in Northamptonshire.
What you’ll be doing as a Legal Counsel at Howdens:
- You’ll work alongside the Head of Legal, Senior Legal Counsel and Solicitor Apprentice to proactively support and protect the business.
- Draft and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements across the business with marketing, IT, procurement, logistics, commercial including high value, strategic contracts.
- Advise on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, marketing, IP and much more.
- Manage Howdens’ intellectual property portfolio, ensuring brand strategy is fit for purpose and protects Howdens future ambitions.
- Work on cross‑functional projects relating to innovation and new products.
- Assist with data protection queries. Raise awareness of AI and data protection matters within the business, particularly in relation to commercial contracts.
- Build on your knowledge of legal issues and share this with the legal team and the wider business.
- Provide training. Support and deputise for legal team members.
- Help keep the legal function efficient, agile and fit for the future.
- Become part of the Howdens culture – participate in and provide training, social events and corporate initiatives.
- Be an advocate for the Howdens business and promote the Howdens values.
What we are looking for from you:
- UK (or equivalent) qualified solicitor with at least 2 years PQE, or equivalent and relevant commercial contracts drafting and negotiating experience – this is essential as it will be at least 50% of the role.
- In‑house experienced (or via secondment). You need to know how to work within a commercial business.
- Relationship builder. Howdens is built on the strong relationships between its depots and its trade customers. This ethos is reflected throughout the business. You will need authenticity, integrity and the ability to gain trust quickly.
- Comfortable with working at pace, adapting to whatever the day brings and taking responsibility. We are a small team. We work closely together, have each other’s back and communicate lots.
- Creative. You will need to ask questions, provide practical/legally compliant solutions, reassess priorities against competing deadlines, regulatory changes and conflicting commercial needs.
About Howdens:
As the UK’s leading trade kitchen supplier, Howdens proudly supports over 460,000 trade professionals through our network of 850+ depots. As a constituent of the FTSE 100 and with sales of £2.3 billion in 2024, we continue to expand, offering exciting opportunities for growth in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment.
What we can offer you:
- Competitive salary + car allowance
- Excellent pension scheme (company contribution of up to 12 %)
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays
- Staff Discount
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Exceptional Reward and Recognition events
How to apply:
If Howdens sounds like the kind of place where you can build and develop your career then we’re keen to hear from you. When you apply, you will need to attach a CV. Good luck with your application. Howdens is founded on the principle of being Worthwhile for ALL concerned. We’re working hard to ensure we provide an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome. We will do everything we can to support you during your application. If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process, please email recruitmentteam@howdens.com with the job title and location, and we will be happy to help you.
Legal Counsel in Raunds employer: Howdens Joinery Co.
Contact Detail:
Howdens Joinery Co. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Counsel in Raunds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Howdens 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 knowing your stuff! Research Howdens’ recent projects and challenges in the legal space. This shows you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute from day one.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your relationship-building skills! During interviews, share examples of how you've built trust and collaborated with teams. Remember, Howdens values strong connections, so let that shine through.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Howdens family.
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Counsel in Raunds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Legal Counsel role. Highlight your commercial contracts experience and any in-house work you've done, as this is key for us.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to showcase your enthusiasm for Howdens and the legal field. Share specific examples of how you've built relationships and provided practical legal solutions in previous roles.
Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills: Since we value strong relationships, mention instances where you've successfully collaborated with teams or clients. This will demonstrate your fit within our culture and how you can contribute to our dynamic environment.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you're proactive!
How to prepare for a job interview at Howdens Joinery Co.
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Brush up on your knowledge of commercial contracts, data protection, and IP law. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you've successfully drafted or negotiated agreements. This will show that you can hit the ground running.
✨Build Relationships
Since Howdens values strong relationships, think about how you can demonstrate your relationship-building skills. Prepare anecdotes that highlight your ability to connect with colleagues and clients, showing authenticity and integrity in your interactions.
✨Be Adaptable
The role requires someone who can work at pace and adapt to changing priorities. Think of examples where you've successfully managed competing deadlines or adapted to unexpected challenges. This will illustrate your agility and readiness for a dynamic environment.
✨Show Your Creative Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss how you've approached complex legal issues creatively in the past. Think about times when you provided practical solutions that balanced legal compliance with business needs. This will demonstrate your ability to think outside the box while still being legally sound.
