At a Glance
- Tasks: Be the first in-house lawyer, supporting corporate governance and funding processes.
- Company: Join Nivoda, a fast-scaling tech company transforming the jewellery industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, remote work, private health insurance, and unlimited holiday allowance.
- Why this job: Gain board-level exposure and a pathway to becoming General Counsel in 4-5 years.
- Qualifications: 5-7 years PQE with experience in corporate law and advising startups.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of empowerment and continuous learning in a diverse environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Location: Remote (UK/EU)
Reporting to: Director of Risk
Nivoda: Where Innovation and Gemstones Meet
At Nivoda, we’re reimagining how the world buys and sells jewellery. Our global marketplace connects retailers and suppliers across diamonds, gemstones, and finished jewellery, already powering over $300M in annual transactions and scaling fast toward our billion-dollar vision. We’re bringing tech, data, and automation to a $350B industry that’s barely scratched the surface of digital transformation. The result? Explosive growth and massive opportunity — powered by a team that makes it happen.
As we scale, legal is becoming increasingly central to how we fund, govern, and operate the business. This role exists to help us do that thoughtfully, pragmatically, and at speed.
Our Mission
The idea of Nivoda was inspired by the ongoing inefficiency of diamond trading. We set out to develop the solution to help businesses, regardless of their size or location, increase their sales and margins, whilst removing the operational burden of sourcing diamonds.
About the role
We are looking for a Legal Counsel to be our first in-house lawyer - a strong generalist with a clear track record supporting equity fundraising and investor diligence who wants to grow into a senior legal leader in a high-growth tech environment. This role will cover a broad remit across corporate governance, debt and equity funding, equity programmes, commercial contracts, and employment matters - with exposure to the board and senior leadership from day one.
What would you be doing?
- Corporate, Finance & Fundraising
- Support the company’s capital and ownership structure:
- Support debt and equity financings, working closely with external counsel, investors, and leadership.
- Assist with cap table management, option schemes, and equity programme administration.
- Provide pragmatic advice on corporate structuring and shareholder matters.
- Build and maintain Nivoda’s investor due diligence packs.
- Governance & Board Support
- Help run best-in-class governance:
- Act as Company Secretary, supporting board and committee meetings.
- Prepare agendas, attend board meetings, and take accurate minutes.
- Ensure statutory filings, resolutions, and governance obligations are met across entities.
- Strengthen governance documentation to build toward IPO-ready governance standards.
- Commercial & Contractual Matters
- Support day-to-day commercial activity:
- Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements.
- Partner with Sales, Partnerships, and Operations to unblock deals pragmatically.
- Help create and maintain contract templates and playbooks.
- Drive contract standardisation and control environment improvements to support diligence and audit-readiness.
- Employment & People Matters
- Provide support across people-related legal topics:
- Advise on employment and labour law matters in partnership with People and external counsel.
- Support with offer letters, contracts, and employee equity participation.
- Support equity and incentive programmes (EMI/CSOP where relevant, option documentation, governance and employee comms).
- Build the In-House Legal Function
- Help shape how legal operates at Nivoda:
- Decide what to own in-house vs outsource to external counsel.
- Create a “legal readiness roadmap” for IPO-grade maturity.
- Improve legal processes, documentation, and standardization across the business.
- Act as a trusted advisor to leadership on legal and risk-related questions.
What do we need from you?
- 5-7 years PQE, trained at a reputable law firm with a corporate and/or finance background
- Experience advising startups or scale-ups (either directly or via outsourced firm work)
- Hands-on experience supporting equity fundraises, including diligence and closing processes
- Strong grounding in corporate law, financing transactions, and governance
- Commercially minded - able to balance risk with speed and pragmatism
- Comfortable working autonomously across a broad and evolving remit
- Motivated by the opportunity to grow into a General Counsel role over time
Nice to have:
- Prior in-house experience at a high-tech-led company
- Experience acting as or supporting a Company Secretary
- Exposure to equity incentive schemes and cap table management
- Familiarity with international or multi-entity corporate structures
- Exposure to IPO readiness frameworks, internal controls, or public-company style governance
Our culture and what we offer
At Nivoda, we believe that employees today want to evolve in a collaborative, high-growth environment where they can demonstrate their abilities and thrive both professionally and personally. We are convinced that employees need to find alignment between their inner values and their company's culture and mission to unlock their full potential. We work to create a culture of empowerment, continuous learning and growth where everyone can bring expertise, own projects and easily measure their impact.
Be the first in-house lawyer at a fast-scaling, global tech company
Board-level exposure and close partnership with the CEO, CFO, and leadership team
A genuine pathway to becoming a General Counsel in the next 4–5 years
High autonomy, broad scope, and meaningful ownership
Join a hyper-growth company transforming a global industry
Our current benefits:
- Flexible working hours and a vibrant company culture
- Remote work (Spain/Portugal/UK)
- Private health insurance to keep you at your peak
- Plenty of opportunities for growth and learning
- Flexible compensation card for meals, transport and childcare
- Unlimited holiday allowance
- Chance to join and contribute to a company during its exponential expansion phase
Nivoda is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace dedicated to promoting diversity. We don’t discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status.
Even if it seems you don’t meet 100% of our musts don’t let it stop you, we are all about finding the best talent out there! Skills can be learned, and embracing diversity is invaluable.
Please note: Our Talent Acquisition Team is international coming from across the world. We kindly ask you to please submit your CV and application in English so that it can be reviewed correctly.
If after reading this job description you believe this is not the best fit for you, we’d encourage you to join our Talent Pool so we can keep you in mind as new roles open up. This ensures you’re among the first to hear about openings aligned with your skills and interests.
Legal Counsel in London employer: Nivoda
Contact Detail:
Nivoda 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 connections in the legal field, especially those who have experience with startups or tech companies. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Nivoda and its mission. Understand how your legal expertise can help them scale and innovate in the jewellery industry. Tailor your answers to show you’re the perfect fit for their unique challenges.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you note expressing your enthusiasm for the role. It keeps you on their radar and shows you’re genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and serious about joining the Nivoda team.
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Counsel in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Legal Counsel role. Highlight your experience in corporate law, fundraising, and governance. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at Nivoda!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for the jewellery industry and how you can contribute to our growth. Let us know why you're excited about being our first in-house lawyer.
Showcase Relevant Experience: Be sure to showcase any hands-on experience you've had with startups or scale-ups. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so let us know how you've supported equity fundraises and governance in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any updates from us. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nivoda
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on corporate law, financing transactions, and governance. Nivoda is looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so be prepared to discuss your experience with equity fundraising and investor diligence in detail.
✨Show Your Pragmatic Side
This role requires a balance of speed and risk management. Be ready to share examples of how you've navigated complex legal situations while keeping business objectives in mind. Highlight your ability to provide practical solutions that support fast-paced commercial activity.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Potential
As the first in-house lawyer, you'll need to show that you're not just a legal expert but also a future leader. Talk about your vision for building the legal function at Nivoda and how you plan to contribute to its growth and IPO readiness.
✨Cultural Fit Matters
Nivoda values a collaborative and empowering culture. Be sure to express your alignment with their mission and values. Share experiences where you've thrived in similar environments and how you can contribute to fostering a positive workplace culture.