Legal Counsel in London

Legal Counsel in London

London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Advise on contracts, support M&A, and shape innovative legal initiatives.
  • Company: Leading global market research company with a people-first culture.
  • Benefits: 25 days annual leave, pension, income protection, and professional development.
  • Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make impactful decisions in a collaborative environment.
  • Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with strong commercial law and contract negotiation skills.
  • Other info: Flexible working options and commitment to diversity and inclusion.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

We are a leading global market and social research company, enabling organisations to make smarter, bolder, and faster decisions. Are you a commercially-minded solicitor ready to join a market research leader? Do you want to advise senior stakeholders, draft and negotiate client and supplier contracts, and support M&A and strategic projects in a collaborative, impact-driven environment? If so, Ipsos UK wants to hear from you.

About the role: As Legal Counsel you will be a trusted advisor to Ipsos UK & Ireland, reporting to the Head of Legal. This is a hands-on, business-facing role where you'll draft, review and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements (MSAs, SOWs, supplier and internal contracts), support acquisitions and NDAs, provide due diligence assistance, and help shape new service and technology initiatives. You'll refresh and develop template contracts, playbooks and legal guidance, deliver training and awareness sessions, and provide clear, practical advice to non-lawyers that balances legal rigour with commercial pragmatism. You'll work closely with client account teams, commercial functions and cross-market colleagues on fast-moving matters, contributing to global legal projects and continuous improvement of legal processes. Ipsos offers the scale of a global agency with an entrepreneurial, people-first culture and strong emphasis on innovation and inclusivity.

About you: Qualified solicitor admitted in England & Wales. Strong grounding in commercial law with proven contract drafting and negotiation experience. Able to identify, assess and explain legal risk in commercial contexts and propose practical mitigations. Clear and confident communicator, able to present legal concepts to non-lawyers and lead training sessions. Commercial mindset that balances legal precision with workable, business-focused solutions. Strong analytical skills and attention to detail when interpreting contracts, regulations and policies. Comfortable using and adopting legal tech, including proficiency in AI tools to streamline drafting, due diligence and knowledge management.

Essential skills:

  • Qualified solicitor (England & Wales).
  • Demonstrable experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts.
  • Ability to assess and manage legal risk while supporting commercial objectives.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills.
  • Capacity to prioritise and manage multiple matters in a fast-paced environment.
  • Strong analytical skills and pragmatic problem-solving.
  • Knowledge of data protection and privacy laws (UK GDPR / GDPR) and their practical application in a research or data-driven business.
  • Experience supporting M&A activity (NDAs, data room support, coordination of legal due diligence).
  • Experience developing templates, playbooks or legal operations processes.
  • Familiarity with regulatory and industry codes relevant to research (e.g. MRS Code, BHBIA, EphMRA).
  • Exposure to cross-border or multi-jurisdictional contracts and working with international stakeholders.
  • Experience participating in cross-market or global legal projects.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you as an individual. Our standard benefits include 25 days annual leave, pension contribution, income protection and life assurance. In addition, there are a range of health & wellbeing, financial benefits and professional development opportunities.

We have a hybrid approach to work and ask people to be in the office or with clients for 3 days per week. We appreciate you may have commitments outside of work and will consider flexible working applications - please highlight what you are looking for when you make your application.

We are committed to equality, treating people fairly, promoting a positive and inclusive working environment and ensuring we have diversity of people and views. We recognise that this is important for our business success - a more diverse workforce will enable us to better reflect and understand the world we research and ultimately deliver better research and insight to our clients. We are proud to be a member of the Disability Confident scheme, certified as a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer. We provide an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Your application will be reviewed by someone from our Talent Team who will be in touch either way to let you know the outcome.

Legal Counsel in London employer: Ipsos in the UK

Ipsos UK is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and impact-driven work culture, where legal professionals can thrive while advising senior stakeholders on critical commercial agreements. With a strong emphasis on innovation, inclusivity, and professional development, employees benefit from a comprehensive package that includes 25 days of annual leave, flexible working options, and opportunities to engage in global legal projects. Join us in a dynamic environment that values diversity and empowers you to make meaningful contributions to the market research landscape.
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Contact Detail:

Ipsos in the UK Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Legal Counsel in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who work in commercial law or have experience with M&A. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your contract negotiation skills. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've navigated complex agreements and mitigated legal risks. Show them you’re not just a lawyer, but a business partner!

✨Tip Number 3

Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We love seeing applications come directly from candidates who are genuinely interested in joining us. Plus, it gives you a chance to showcase your understanding of our culture and values right from the start.

We think you need these skills to ace Legal Counsel in London

Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales)
Commercial Law
Contract Drafting
Contract Negotiation
Legal Risk Assessment
Clear Communication
Stakeholder Management
Analytical Skills
Problem-Solving
Data Protection and Privacy Laws (UK GDPR / GDPR)
M&A Support
Template Development
Regulatory Knowledge (e.g. MRS Code, BHBIA, EphMRA)
Cross-Border Contract Experience
Legal Technology Proficiency

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Legal Skills: Make sure to highlight your experience in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts. We want to see how you've tackled legal challenges in the past, so don’t hold back on those examples!

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language that showcases your ability to communicate complex legal concepts to non-lawyers, just like you would in the role.

Tailor Your Application: Don’t send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in our job description. We love seeing candidates who take the time to connect their background with what we’re looking for.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Ipsos in the UK

✨Know Your Contracts Inside Out

As a Legal Counsel, you'll be dealing with various commercial agreements. Make sure you thoroughly understand the types of contracts mentioned in the job description, like MSAs and NDAs. Brush up on your contract drafting and negotiation skills, and be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience.

✨Show Off Your Commercial Mindset

This role requires a balance between legal precision and commercial pragmatism. Prepare to demonstrate how you've successfully navigated legal risks while supporting business objectives in previous roles. Think of scenarios where your legal advice led to positive outcomes for the business.

✨Communicate Like a Pro

You'll need to present legal concepts to non-lawyers, so practice explaining complex legal terms in simple language. During the interview, focus on your communication skills and provide examples of how you've effectively trained or advised stakeholders in the past.

✨Be Ready for Fast-Paced Scenarios

The job involves managing multiple matters in a dynamic environment. Prepare to discuss how you've prioritised tasks and handled urgent legal issues before. Highlight your analytical skills and problem-solving abilities, especially in high-pressure situations.

Legal Counsel in London
Ipsos in the UK
Location: London
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