Senior Regulatory Compliance Counsel in Edinburgh

Group Legal Counsel Employment Type : Permanent (applicants for both full-time and part-time hours are welcome). Industry: Hospitality and Leisure (Hotels and Resorts) Macdonald Hotels & Resorts is one of the UK’s largest privately-owned hotel groups, founded by Donald Macdonald in 1990. With over 30 distinctive hotels and 9 self-catering resorts, we combine a passion for authentic hospitality with a strong commitment to quality and Scottish heritage. The successful candidate will work on a broad range of legal and operational matters across the business and provide support to the Group General Counsel on a variety of projects and responsibilities. The role will focus largely on commercial contracts and day to day operational matters, together with data protection, intellectual property, insurance claims and regulatory matters. You will also have the opportunity to be involved in licensing and property matters, as well as engaging in exciting fast-paced projects which include asset transactions. Commercial Contracts: Data Protection & Privacy: Advise on data protection compliance under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Review and draft data processing agreements and privacy notices. Assist with handling data subject requests and liaise with external advisors or regulators where required. Assist and advise on implementation of policies and processes to ensure compliance. Provide legal advice on employment law matters as they arise, including drafting and advising on employment contracts, employee handbook, other policies, and employee relations matters. Support Payroll and HR functions with ad hoc queries and coordinate with external counsel on complex issues where required. Assist in overseeing compliance with the Group’s licensing requirements for operation of its hotels through internal reviews and management of external counsel. Oversee the management of insurance claims as they arise and the flow of information to our insurers. Provide guidance and regular communications to staff in respect of claims management and claims defensibility. Operational & Regulatory Support: Advise on day-to-day operational and customer complaint issues which are escalated to the Legal Team for support. Support compliance with health and safety, licensing, and other hospitality-related regulations. Risk Management & Projects: Support the Group General Counsel in managing legal risk across the business. Contribute to process improvements, identifying efficiences, template development, and legal training initiatives for non-legal teams. Have experience working in an established in-house legal team (desirable, although not essential). Have a strong background in commercial contracts, including complex agreements requiring a key appreciation of the concerns posed to the industry and the desired outcomes of the business. Possess a working knowledge of current employment law regulations and the ability to communicate them effectively to a wide team. Ideally have some experience and skills in assisting in relating to employment law matters. Have excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to translate legal advice into practical business solutions, and an ability to convey legal matters in terminology which can be understood across the business. Have strong inter-personal skills, with the ability to build relationships with key stakeholders throughout the business, and confidently communicate on legal matters with senior leadership. Competitive salary and benefits package ~31 days’ annual leave (inclusive of all public holidays). ~ Staff rates on hotel and resort accommodation in the UK and Spain, subject to availability. ~ Access to private health insurance, and other health and wellness benefits. ~ Opportunity to work across a diverse, high-profile hotel portfolio.