Senior Legal Counsel (UK&I)

Mars Veterinary Health (MVH) Europe is a family of leading veterinary care providers committed to creating a better world for pets. Our network includes trusted brands such as AniCura and Linnaeus, operating over 500 animal hospitals and clinics across 17 European countries. Together, our teams deliver high-quality, modern veterinary care for companion animals, ensuring peace of mind for pet owners through excellent access and patient safety.

AniCura, our largest brand in Europe, provides care to over three million patients each year through 12,500 dedicated professionals. Linnaeus, operating primarily in the UK and Ireland, is home to over 6,000 Associates empowered to deliver exceptional care through a culture of collaboration, clinical excellence, and continuous development.

At MVH Europe, we prioritise a culture of accountability, inclusion, and wellbeing. We believe our purpose — to make A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS — starts with building a better world for our people. We support our teams through strong governance, comprehensive wellbeing programmes, and a shared passion for delivering exceptional outcomes in veterinary care.

The Senior Counsel (Partial UK Focus) role exists to provide broad, high-quality legal support across Mars Veterinary Health Europe, with a particular focus on the UK and Ireland. The role supports both strategic initiatives and day-to-day legal matters, delivering pragmatic, risk-aware and commercially sound legal advice that enables the business to operate effectively and compliantly.

This role sits within the Legal Affairs Team, part of the wider Legal Function serving all MVH Europe Operating Units. While the primary focus is on the UK & Ireland Operating Unit, the role contributes to legal support across all four Operating Units and multiple jurisdictions. The postholder operates autonomously, while working closely and collaboratively with legal colleagues and business stakeholders across Europe.

The Legal Function is made up of three teams — Legal Affairs, Compliance, and Risk & Insurance — which together provide legal, regulatory and risk support across the entire Mars Veterinary Health Europe footprint. MVH Europe currently operates across four geographical Operating Units (UK & Ireland, Central Europe, North-West Europe, and Mediterranean & CEE), covering 19 jurisdictions.

The Legal Affairs Team supports all Operating Units and Group Functions with a wide range of general legal matters, including employment, competition, commercial contracts (in collaboration with Procurement colleagues), corporate governance, M&A and dispute management. The team acts as a trusted business partner, delivering practical legal solutions aligned with business priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal support to MVH Europe and individual clinics on both strategic initiatives and a broad range of day-to-day legal matters, including commercial contracts (in collaboration with the Procurement Team), leases, employment, data privacy (in collaboration with the Compliance Team) and disputes.
• Provide M&A acquisition and integration support, working closely with external counsel.
• Manage company secretarial matters for MVH Europe legal entities.
• Organise and deliver training on legal, compliance and risk topics, in collaboration with the Compliance and Risk & Insurance teams.
• Act as a subject matter expert for the Legal Affairs Team within strategic projects.
• Develop and implement approaches to identify, manage and mitigate legal risks efficiently.
• Manage the engagement of external counsel to ensure high-quality and cost-effective legal support.
• Monitor legislative changes and industry developments to ensure internal stakeholders are informed of relevant legal updates.
• Act as a trusted legal business partner across all business functions, with a primary focus on the UK & Ireland Operating Unit, including HR, Finance, Client, Corporate Affairs, Procurement and Operations.
• Review, draft and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including services, procurement, consultancy and data protection contracts.
• Advise on contract renewals, disputes and supplier management issues.
• Support UK and Irish corporate governance requirements, including statutory filings, shareholder resolutions and company secretarial activities.
• Assist with property-related legal documentation, such as leases and licences, as required.
• Identify and elevate legal risks where appropriate, proposing commercially sensible mitigation strategies.
• Liaise with external counsel when specialist expertise or jurisdictional coverage is required.
• Stay up to date with relevant legal and regulatory developments, including CMA, RCVS and data protection requirements.

Qualifications

• LL.B / Law Degree or equivalent, with appropriate legal conversion course where applicable.
• Minimum 8 years PQE, with a broad range of in‑house experience and preferably additional private practice experience.

Knowledge / Experience

• Strong generalist legal background with experience across commercial, corporate and operational legal matters.
• Experience supporting internal clients across multiple functions, geographies and jurisdictions.
• Ability to manage a diverse portfolio of legal work in a fast‑paced, complex environment.
• Adaptability & Resilience: Thrives in fast‑moving environments with evolving risks and priorities.
• Analytical & Strategic Thinking: Identifies risks, opportunities and effective legal solutions.
• Business Acumen: Understands commercial and financial drivers and provides pragmatic, solution‑oriented advice.
• Communication: Explains complex legal matters clearly and concisely to diverse audiences.
• Decision‑Making Maturity: Demonstrates sound judgement and integrity in ambiguous or high‑stakes situations.
• Integrity: Upholds high ethical and professional standards at all times.
• Legal & Regulatory Insight: Interprets complex legal frameworks and applies them practically.
• Stakeholder Management: Balances diverse interests with professionalism and tact.

Key Functional Competencies & Technical Skills

• Strong grounding in commercial legal matters, including corporate law, contract law, employment law, property law and data protection.
• Experience advising stakeholders across different business functions and jurisdictions.
• Ability to operate autonomously while collaborating effectively within a cross‑border legal team.

Preferred:

• Experience in healthcare, veterinary or life sciences sectors.
• Fluency in another European language.
• Experience working in or advising clients on a pan‑European basis.

Our Offer

• Join a purpose‑driven organisation striving to shape the future of veterinary care.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Flexible working hours and hybrid working model.
• An international, collaborative and digital working environment.
• Opportunities for learning, development and professional growth.
• Freedom to take responsibility and influence outcomes.
• And, of course, the opportunity to spend time with our beloved four‑legged colleagues.

Interested? Please contact Christina Scimeca Group Corporate Recruitment Partner, who will be happy to tell you more about this opportunity and the recruitment process. Alternatively, apply by submitting your CV via the apply button below.