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- Tasks: Join our legal team to provide expert advice on corporate and contractual law.
- Company: Specsavers is dedicated to improving lives through better sight and hearing.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive environment with opportunities for growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced setting while collaborating with diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified lawyer with experience in corporate law and shareholder litigation.
- Other info: Ideal for proactive legal professionals ready to advance their careers.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Specsavers is here to change lives through better sight and hearing by delivering outstanding value, being loved by every customer and creating the place where all colleagues are proud to belong. We are proud of how far we’ve come as a business, now we want to see you grow with us.
Role Summary:
We are currently looking for an experienced qualified lawyer with a strong background in corporate and contractual law. This person will work as part of a small team within Specsavers UK & ROI Legal department, providing detailed legal advice and guidance on a broad range of commercial and legal issues arising from the Group’s UK & Ireland operations and Joint Venture businesses in the UK and Ireland.
Key Responsibilities:
- Corporate and Contractual Law: Provide detailed legal advice on commercial contracts, including drafting, negotiating, and completing such contracts. Ensure all agreements align with company policies and legal requirements. Tender management and associated contractual processes may be involved.
- Joint Ventures: Provide legal support for joint venture arrangements, including drafting and reviewing associated documents and business transfer paperwork.
- Shareholder Litigation: Providing legal advice, and/or effective management of external solicitors, relating to a shareholder litigation (e.g. ‘unfair prejudice’/s.994 Companies Act litigation)
- Company Secretarial: Possesses a good working knowledge and understanding of company procedures and the responsibilities of a Company Secretary and Company Director. This includes expertise in dividend declarations, managing internal restructures involving legal entities, and overseeing Joint Venture Agreements (JVA). Demonstrates proficiency in ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, maintaining corporate records, and facilitating effective communication between the board of directors and shareholders.
- Risk Management: Identify and mitigate legal risks within existing processes and new initiatives. Develop and implement effective processes and systems to manage these risks with an ability and level of comfort at running risk managed decisions and ownership of said decisions.
- Industry-specific Regulatory Compliance: Advise on industry-specific legislation (optics, ophthalmology, and audiology) as it relates to the Group’s UK and ROI retail activities. Ensure compliance with relevant UK and ROI statutory and regulatory requirements.
- Stakeholder Relationships: Build strong relationships and trust with stakeholders across the organisation, from Board Director level down, offering clear and practical legal advice. Supporting the Legal Director – UK & ROI with any delegation of authority to attend and participate in OLT/ ALT meeting for general operational and commercial decision making.
- Project Support: Work as part of cross-functional project teams on new commercial initiatives, providing legal insights and support across a variety of potentially complex legal issues with minimal supervision. This may include leading or assisting with matters that are or could develop into highly visible / potentially brand sensitive issues.
- Strategic Corporate Projects: Provide specialist advice on and support the implementation of strategic corporate projects, as requested by the Legal Director – UK & ROI, particularly in relation to optics, audiology, and domiciliary sectors.
- Leadership and Communication: Provide leadership and work closely with the wider legal team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence. Act as a key advisor on corporate, compliance, and legal governance matters to senior management.
- Training and Policy Development: Assist in drafting and rolling out new policies and procedures, and provide training on legal and practical issues to improve business standards and reduce risk.
Essential Skills and Experience:
- Admitted to practice as a lawyer in the UK or Guernsey.
- Previous in-house legal team experience.
- Significant post-qualification experience in corporate and contractual law.
- Experience of shareholder litigation (e.g. ‘unfair prejudice’/s.994 Companies Act litigation)
- Experience in drafting and advising on joint venture contracts and structures.
- Experience of advising on commercial and trading issues arising from joint venture rights and obligations.
- Good working knowledge of UK and/or ROI employment law as it impacts joint venture commercial relationships.
- Experience and understanding of company secretarial law and procedure.
- Experience of team leadership and development of colleagues.
Desirable Skills:
- Experience in the optics, ophthalmology, or audiology sectors.
- Experience in retail, healthcare, or FMCG businesses.
Why Join Us?At Specsavers, we believe in nurturing talent and providing opportunities for growth. You will be part of a supportive and dynamic team, working in a fast-paced environment where your contributions make a real difference. If you are a proactive and experienced legal professional looking to take the next step in your career, apply now and we look forward to connecting with you.
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Senior Legal Counsel employer: Specsavers
Contact Detail:
Specsavers Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Legal Counsel
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Specsavers' business model and values. Understanding how they operate in the optics and audiology sectors will help you tailor your discussions during interviews, showcasing your alignment with their mission to change lives through better sight and hearing.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Specsavers, especially those in the legal department. They can provide insights into the company culture and the specific challenges faced by the legal team, which can be invaluable when preparing for interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on recent developments in corporate and contractual law, particularly as they relate to the retail and healthcare sectors. Being able to discuss current trends and how they impact Specsavers will demonstrate your expertise and proactive approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with joint ventures and shareholder litigation in detail. Be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully navigated complex legal issues in previous roles, as this will be crucial for the Senior Legal Counsel position.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Legal Counsel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in corporate and contractual law, as well as any relevant in-house legal team experience. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills in drafting and negotiating contracts.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the role and the company. Mention how your background aligns with Specsavers' mission to change lives through better sight and hearing, and provide examples of how you've successfully managed legal risks in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Experience: When detailing your experience, focus on your work with joint ventures and shareholder litigation. Be specific about the types of contracts you've worked on and any successful outcomes you've achieved in these areas.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Since the role involves providing leadership and fostering collaboration, include examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past. Highlight any training or policy development initiatives you've been involved in to demonstrate your ability to improve business standards.
How to prepare for a job interview at Specsavers
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on corporate and contractual law, as well as shareholder litigation. Be prepared to discuss specific cases or examples from your past experience that demonstrate your expertise in these areas.
✨Understand Specsavers' Business Model
Familiarise yourself with Specsavers' operations, especially in optics and audiology. Understanding their joint ventures and how they operate in the UK and ROI will show your genuine interest in the role and the company.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
Be ready to talk about how you've built relationships with stakeholders in previous roles. Provide examples of how you've offered clear legal advice and supported decision-making at various levels within an organisation.
✨Demonstrate Leadership and Team Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with a legal team, highlight your experience in leading teams and fostering collaboration. Share instances where you've successfully trained colleagues or developed policies that improved business standards.