Paralegal/Legal Assistant (London Area)

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Legal function at Varley. We are accepting applications from all levels of qualification, but this role is likely to be best suited to a paralegal. This role will be reporting to the General Counsel and working closely with them as well as the senior leadership team, and those working in other areas of the business. We are looking for a hardworking and motivated individual who is happy to have a varied workload and is keen to be part of a fast-growing international consumer brand. The role is a part time (2-3 days per week), hybrid position for a fixed term of six (6) months. You will be working remotely most of the time with occasional working from our London office as required (approx. one day every other week).

Responsibilities

• Support the Legal Team function generally at Varley to ensure legal compliance and effective management of legal risk across the business.
• Ensuring contracts are drafted, negotiated and managed in a timely manner, mitigating legal risk whilst balancing commercial need. Setting reminders for contract renewals.
• Assist with managing the systems that ensure that Varley complies with all applicable policies and procedures, in addition to its legal, and statutory requirements and guidance (data protection DSAR, retail, consumer, health and safety, rules on advertising, promotions, social media activity).
• Updating policies and handbooks from time to time.
• Managing the legal inbox.
• Liaising with external counsel as necessary.
• Support with drafting and preparing filings and other documentation requirements (NB Varley team has access to PLC) and developing precedents where necessary.
• Supporting HR on ad hoc employment matters, such as health and safety, visas, seasonal workers and the Employee Handbook.
• Monitoring changes in relevant legislations (including data protection, intellectual property, corporate governance and GDPR) and industry regulations (advertising standards, packaging and labelling laws) and action accordingly.
• Assist on data protection and privacy legal matters throughout UK, US, EMEA region and beyond.
• Assisting with matters related to intellectual property ownership, protection and assisting in trademark matters (new registrations, territories, product lines), web domain registration and management and leading on all infringement work (external counsel used for day-to-day management of TM registrations).
• Supporting teams in rolling out ecommerce platform changes, updating T&Cs, advising on legal elements of consumer journey.
• Supporting and advising on real estate leases and property matters, including construction aspects connected to retail store roll out and new office locations.
• Supporting and advising on regulatory obligations such as Modern Slavery, Gender Pay Gap as well as matters related to sustainability.

Qualifications and Experience

• Experience working within the legal sector.
• Proven track record of providing effective advice across a diverse range of commercial matters connected to global consumer brands.
• Ability to use legal advice and skills to give strategic legal advice, understand appropriate risk levels and spot opportunities.
• Good drafting skills and attention to detail including when operating under pressure.
• Ability to successfully negotiate to achieve desired outcomes.
• Excellent ability to establish, develop and maintain good relationships with a wide variety of individuals at all levels.
• An in-depth understanding of relevant legislation.
• Excellent communication skills; both verbally and written.
• Ability to interpret agreements and understand both their commercial, economic and operational implications.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the UK company law, data privacy, consumer and advertising regulation if possible.
• Good interpersonal skills with high degree of discretion and professionalism.
• Ability to research, digest, analyse and present materials clearly and concisely.
• Experience of developing governance policies and procedures.

Benefits

• Employee Purchase Scheme with 50% off for employees.
• Friend and Family Purchase Scheme with 20% off.
• Access to Bupa Health care after 2 years.
• 25 Days Holiday pro rata.

We think of ourselves as an international family-run business that embodies our founders’ commitment to creating timeless collections for the modern woman. What started as a company of two, has grown into a close-knit team of thinkers, creators, and innovators, taking care of our clothes, each other, and our community. Split across the UK and USA, our team is 85% female, making us proud to be a brand for women, by women. We are guided by two core beliefs: the pursuit of quality in everything we do and the importance of looking after one another.

Company Values

• We are the sum of many parts.
• We pursue quality in everything we do.
• We embrace possibility and push boundaries.
• Data-driven decisions and purposeful actions.
• Our brand is timeless and valuable.
• We never compromise our product.
• We respect and exceed customer expectations.
• We choose partners who reflect our values.
• We grow our brand by empowering others.
• Responsibility is at the core of everything we do.
• Kindness is our guiding principle.