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
Network with professionals in the legal and sportswear industries. Attend relevant events or webinars where you can meet people who work at the company or in similar roles. Building these connections can give you insights into the company culture and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and challenges in commercial law, especially as they pertain to the sportswear sector. Being able to discuss current issues during interviews will demonstrate your proactive approach and genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to showcase your negotiation skills through real-life examples. Think of specific instances where you successfully navigated complex contract negotiations, as this will highlight your hands-on experience and business-focused mindset.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the company's values and recent developments. Understanding their business strategy and how legal support plays a role in achieving their goals will allow you to tailor your discussions and show that you're aligned with their vision.
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 your in-house experience and any specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to balance legal risk with business needs.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the role and the company. Mention your qualifications, such as being a qualified lawyer with 2-3 years PQE, and explain how your hands-on, business-focused approach aligns with their needs.
Showcase Communication Skills: In your application, provide examples of how you've effectively communicated complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders. This is crucial for the role, so make it clear how you can provide clear and concise legal advice.
Highlight Organisational Skills: Demonstrate your ability to manage multiple matters under tight deadlines. Include specific examples from your previous roles where you successfully handled various legal tasks while ensuring compliance and mitigating risk.
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 your ability to provide clear and concise legal advice to non-legal stakeholders, so focus on clarity and confidence in your communication.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about past experiences where you had to provide legal advice under pressure or manage multiple priorities, and be ready to share those stories.