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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Draft and negotiate commercial contracts while providing legal advice across UK and Europe.
- Company: Join a leading global sportswear brand known for innovation and quality.
- Benefits: Enjoy potential remote work options and a dynamic corporate culture.
- Why this job: Be at the heart of a fast-paced business, influencing key decisions and driving success.
- Qualifications: Qualified lawyer with 2-3 years PQE and strong contract negotiation skills required.
- Other info: This is a 12-month maternity cover role with potential for extension or permanence.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Step into a pivotal in-house role with a leading global sportswear brand house, where you will take full ownership of drafting and negotiating commercial contracts and deliver pragmatic legal advice across the UK and European markets.
Working closely with senior leadership, you will manage a variety of matters — from supply and distribution agreements to internal policies and governance — always balancing legal risk with commercial priorities.
If you are a qualified lawyer (UK or common law) with proven commercial contract expertise and a hands-on, business-focused approach, we would like to hear from you.
About the Role
This maternity cover role is for 12 months with potential to extend or go permanent. You will work at the heart of the business, providing strategic and hands-on legal support while ensuring compliance, mitigating risk, and enabling commercial success.
Key Responsibilities
Contract Drafting & Negotiation
- Independently draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements, including distribution, supply, agency, consultancy, sourcing, and service contracts.
- Lead negotiations to secure favourable commercial outcomes.
- Ensure all contracts are legally compliant, commercially viable, and aligned with business strategy.
Legal Advisory & Compliance
- Provide clear, concise legal advice to management and directors across the Group.
- Draft and update internal company policies, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Assess legal risk and recommend commercially practical solutions.
Corporate & HR Support
- Support corporate governance requirements, including maintaining legal records and filings.
- Draft employment-related documentation and advise on non-contentious HR matters.
- Liaise with external counsel where specialist expertise is required.
Operational Support
- Maintain and update the legal contracts database and legal resource library.
- Ensure Group-wide processes and policies are consistently applied.
- Report regularly to the Group CEO and participate in cross-functional meetings
Requirements
- Qualified lawyer with minimum 2–3 years PQE (UK or other common law jurisdiction).
- Proven ability to draft and negotiate contracts from start to completion (not just assist).
- Prior in-house experience in a commercial business environment preferred.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal concepts clearly.
- Commercially astute, proactive, and able to balance legal risk with business needs.
- Organised, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple matters under tight deadlines.
This is an excellent opportunity for a capable, self-sufficient legal professional who enjoys working closely with the business, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and wants the potential to secure a long-term in-house role.
Associate Legal Counsel employer: Provallar Executive Search
Contact Detail:
Provallar Executive Search Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Legal Counsel
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific legal challenges faced by the sportswear industry. Understanding the nuances of commercial contracts in this sector will help you stand out during discussions and interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals already working in-house at similar companies. They can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable when preparing for your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss real-life examples of how you've balanced legal risk with business needs in previous roles. This will demonstrate your hands-on approach and commercial awareness, which are key for this position.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on recent legal developments affecting the UK and European markets, especially those relevant to commercial contracts. Showing that you're informed about current trends can impress the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Legal Counsel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts. Emphasise any in-house roles you've held and showcase your ability to balance legal risk with business needs.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that clearly outlines your qualifications as a lawyer, your commercial contract expertise, and your proactive approach. Mention specific examples of how you've provided legal advice and supported business operations in previous roles.
Showcase Communication Skills: In your application, demonstrate your strong communication skills by explaining complex legal concepts in a straightforward manner. This is crucial for the role, so provide examples of how you've effectively communicated with management or directors.
Highlight Organisational Skills: Since the role requires managing multiple matters under tight deadlines, make sure to mention your organisational skills. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed various legal tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Provallar Executive Search
✨Showcase Your Contract Expertise
Be prepared to discuss specific examples of contracts you've drafted and negotiated. Highlight your ability to navigate complex legal issues while ensuring commercial viability, as this role heavily focuses on contract management.
✨Demonstrate Business Acumen
Understand the business model of the sportswear brand and how legal decisions impact commercial outcomes. Be ready to explain how you've balanced legal risks with business needs in previous roles.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice explaining complex legal concepts in simple terms. The interviewers will be looking for strong communication skills, so ensure you can articulate your thoughts clearly and concisely.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Anticipate questions that may involve hypothetical scenarios related to contract negotiations or compliance issues. Think through your approach to problem-solving and how you would provide pragmatic legal advice in those situations.
