At a Glance
- Tasks: Join Sephora's Legal team to provide legal advice and manage commercial risk.
- Company: Be part of Sephora UK, a dynamic beauty retailer celebrating diversity and creativity.
- Benefits: Enjoy private healthcare, competitive pay, generous discounts, and a paid day off on your birthday.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace committed to diversity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of beauty while protecting Sephora's interests in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified UK Solicitor with 3-5 years' experience in commercial law and data protection.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
At SEPHORA UK, beauty isn’t just what we sell - it’s who we are.
It’s the freedom to express yourself, the thrill of discovering something new, and the power of belonging to a community that celebrates every identity.
From our beginnings in France to becoming part of the LVMH family, we’ve always pushed boundaries through creativity, innovation, and inclusivity.
Today, as we continue our exciting expansion across the UK, we’re looking for passionate, driven individuals to help shape the future of prestige beauty in one of the world’s most dynamic retail markets.
The Opportunity
At SEPHORA UK, we're looking for an experienced and commercially minded In-House Counsel to join our Legal team on a
12-month fixed-term contract .
Reporting to the Senior Legal Counsel, you'll play a key role in supporting our growing business by providing pragmatic legal advice, managing commercial risk and ensuring compliance across a wide range of business activities.
Working closely with stakeholders across Retail, Marketing, E-commerce, IT, Procurement and Operations, you'll help enable business growth while protecting Sephora's interests and upholding the highest standards of governance and compliance.
- What you’ll be doing…
- Lead the drafting, review and negotiation of a broad range of commercial agreements, including supplier, distribution, marketing, partnership, technology and retail contracts.
- Provide practical, commercially focused legal advice to business stakeholders across multiple functions.
- Support the business in managing legal risk while enabling growth, innovation and operational excellence.
- Advise on UK and international data protection matters, ensuring compliance with applicable privacy regulations and internal policies.
- Support governance programmes and monitor developments in data protection and privacy legislation.
- Partner with stakeholders to develop compliant processes and best practices across the business.
- Design and deliver engaging legal and compliance training to colleagues across Sephora UK.
- Provide guidance on key compliance areas, including advertising standards, competition law, anti-bribery requirements and modern slavery obligations.
- Review marketing campaigns, promotions and consumer-facing communications to ensure regulatory compliance.
- Collaborate with global and regional legal teams on cross-border initiatives and international projects.
- Support the management of disputes, legal queries and escalations as they arise.
- Contribute to strategic legal projects and continuous improvement initiatives within the Legal function.
- What you’ll bring…
You're a proactive and solutions-focused legal professional who thrives in a fast-paced commercial environment.
You have strong business partnering skills and are confident translating complex legal concepts into clear, practical advice for non-legal stakeholders.
With excellent judgement, attention to detail and a collaborative approach, you're comfortable managing multiple priorities while balancing legal risk with commercial objectives.
- Qualified UK Solicitor (or equivalent) with approximately 3–5 years' post-qualification experience.
- Strong experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts.
- Solid knowledge of UK data protection legislation, including UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
- Understanding of advertising regulations, competition law, anti-bribery legislation and modern slavery requirements.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
- Experience delivering guidance or training to non-legal audiences.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Previous in-house legal experience, ideally within retail, consumer goods or e-commerce environments.
- Exposure to European regulatory frameworks, including GDPR and EU competition law, would be advantageous.
- French language skills would be a bonus.
- Beautiful Benefits at SEPHORA UK
When you join SEPHORA, you’re joining a team that we truly value and our benefits reflect that. Here’s what you can look forward to:
- Private Healthcare, Life Assurance and Private Pension from day one.
- Competitive pay that grows with you, including annual salary reviews.
- A generous employee discount across the world’s best beauty brands.
- A paid day off on your birthday.
- Access to a wellbeing and perks platform.
- LVMH Heart Fund support.
- Generous holiday allowance, with the option to buy more.
- And more…
Together, we belong to something beautiful.
SEPHORA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace for all.
We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, advancement, or other employment practices.
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating and fostering an inclusive environment for all employees.
We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
Please note that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role, so applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the start of employment and will be asked to provide relevant evidence.
Open Jobs Legal Counsel - 12-Month Fixed Term Contract in London employer: Sephora
SEPHORA is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture in the heart of London. As a Talent Acquisition Intern, you will not only gain invaluable experience in recruitment but also enjoy unique benefits such as a generous employee discount and paid time off on your birthday, all while being part of a team that values growth and development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Open Jobs Legal Counsel - 12-Month Fixed Term Contract in London
✨Get Involved in Legal Networking Events
Jump into local or virtual legal networking events to meet industry pros and get your foot in the door! Use platforms like Eventbrite or Meetup to find gatherings, as these are great for making connections and hearing about temporary roles at firms like Sephora.
✨Showcase Your Skills Online
Create a simple online portfolio to showcase your legal work, whether that's case briefs, research papers, or even blog posts on legal topics. This public display can really set you apart when looking for temp roles in law, especially if you can make it relevant to the work that Sephora does!
✨Tap into Law School Resources
If you're near a law school, hit up their career services. They often have leads on temporary positions and can help connect you with alumni working at firms. Plus, they might host workshops or job fairs specific to the legal sector—great for scoring that temp position!
✨Stay Updated with Legal Job Boards
Regularly check specialised legal job boards like LawCareers.Net or TotallyLegal for temporary listings. Many firms post their openings directly there, and applying quickly can give you an edge over the competition when looking to join a prestigious firm like Sephora.
We think you need these skills to ace Open Jobs Legal Counsel - 12-Month Fixed Term Contract in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Legal Know-How:In the legal services world, it's all about demonstrating your understanding of relevant laws and regulations. Make sure your CV highlights your legal training, internships, or any relevant projects you've worked on. If you've done any mooting or legal research, include those too - they can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Application for the Temp Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should stress your adaptability and readiness to jump in right away. Highlight any previous temp roles where you quickly got up to speed, or any diverse experiences that show you can handle a variety of cases or tasks with ease.
Keep it Specific with Your Documents:Make sure your application includes essential legal documents, such as any relevant certifications or memberships in legal bodies. These can add credibility to your CV and show that you're serious about the profession – especially useful in a competitive field like law!
Express Your Enthusiasm in the Cover Letter:Your cover letter is a golden opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Let them know why you’re excited about this temporary position with Sephora and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sephora
✨Show Off Your Legal Know-How
Prepare to discuss your understanding of legal terminology and concepts that might come up during the interview for the Open Jobs Legal Counsel - 12-Month Fixed Term Contract role at Sephora. Brush up on relevant laws or recent cases that could be pertinent to the temporary position, as they'll likely appreciate candidates who can think on their feet and adapt to the fast-paced legal environment.
✨Talk About Your Flexibility
Since this is a temporary role, employers want to know you can hit the ground running. Be ready to highlight past experiences where you've had to quickly adapt to new tasks or work cultures. Flexibility is key in a short-term position like this, so share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage changing priorities efficiently.
✨Prepare for the Casework Challenge
You might face hypothetical scenarios where you'd have to advise on a legal issue or case. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, as interviewers in the legal sector often expect candidates to walk them through their reasoning step-by-step. This will not only showcase your legal acumen but also demonstrate your communication skills, which are crucial in law.
✨Pitch Your Legal Portfolio
If you have any relevant work samples, such as briefs, contracts, or legal research, this is your chance to shine! Be ready to discuss what you did, what challenges you faced, and the outcomes. This speaks volumes more than just listing your skills; it shows you're proactive and results-oriented, which is essential for a temporary role at Sephora.
