At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide strategic legal advice and manage key business priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join Zapp, London's leading premium convenience retail platform, disrupting the market since 2020.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity package, 25 days holiday, private health insurance, and more.
- Other info: Opportunity to build and lead a high-performing legal team.
- Why this job: Shape the legal function of a high-growth business and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor with 7+ years PQE and experience in fast-paced environments.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
We are seeking a commercially astute and strategic Senior Legal Counsel to join our fast-paced on-demand retail business in London. This pivotal role will serve as the legal partner to the Founder and Executive Leadership Team, driving and safeguarding key business priorities as we scale. You will be responsible for delivering pragmatic legal advice across a range of high-impact areas, enabling the business to move quickly while managing legal and regulatory risk. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the legal function of a high-growth consumer business as a true business partner.
About Zapp
Zapp is London’s leading premium convenience retail platform. Founded in 2020, our vision is to disrupt the multi-trillion dollar convenience retail market, currently dominated by major players, by developing best-in-class customer‑centric technology and fulfilment solutions. Zapp partners with some of the world’s leading brands to deliver an exclusive range of hand‑picked products 24/7, delivered in minutes.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Legal Partnering
- Advise the Founder and executive team on a broad spectrum of legal matters, including commercial, real‑estate, licensing/regulatory, IP, privacy, employment, corporate governance, and M&A.
- Be responsible for and lead on execution of all ongoing business legal matters.
- Proactively identify legal risks and opportunities, proposing creative, risk-balanced solutions aligned with business priorities.
- Translate complex legal and regulatory requirements into clear, actionable guidance for cross‑functional teams.
- Over time, build and manage a lean, high‑performing legal team.
- Commercial & Corporate Advisory
- Draft, review, and negotiate a range of commercial agreements (supplier, brand, technology, logistics, partnerships, sponsorships, etc.).
- Support on corporate structuring, shareholder matters, board governance, fundraising, and investor relations.
- Cross‑Functional Enablement
- Work closely with teams across Product, Marketing, Operations, and Finance to embed legal considerations early in strategic initiatives and on all legal risk and compliance matters.
- Ensure compliance with UK regulatory regimes (e.g., e‑commerce, consumer protection, advertising, food safety, and data protection), including applicable data protection laws such as GDPR.
- Operational Excellence
- Build and improve scalable legal processes, contract templates, and self‑service tools for the wider business.
- Help design and implement internal policies, employee training, and internal compliance frameworks.
- Board, Investor & External Engagement
- Prepare legal materials for board meetings, investor updates, and key stakeholder reviews.
- Manage relationships with external legal counsel, ensuring quality, efficiency, and cost‑effectiveness.
- Lead and be responsible for external company secretary providers.
Requirements
- Qualified Solicitor (UK) with 7+ years PQE, ideally trained at a top‑tier law firm with in‑house experience in a fast‑growing, venture‑backed business.
- Experience in a fast‑paced in‑house environment—ideally a start‑up or scale‑up in the tech, consumer, or retail sectors.
- Demonstrated ability to autonomously and pro‑actively handle a broad range of legal topics and thrive in a high‑velocity, ambiguous environment.
- Strong commercial instincts with excellent judgement and ability to balance legal risk with business ambition.
- Outstanding interpersonal, communication skills and executive presence – able to influence, build trust and collaborate at all levels.
- Entrepreneurial, adaptable, resourceful, and resilient, with a bias for action and a sense of ownership.
- Experience in consumer tech, retail, e‑commerce, logistics, or regulated sectors is highly advantageous.
Benefits
- Competitive salary & equity package.
- Enjoy 25 days of holiday per year (plus all bank holidays).
- Private Health Insurance.
- Extended sick pay and maternity/paternity leave pay.
- Cycle to work scheme.
Senior Legal Counsel employer: Zapp
Zapp is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London where innovation meets convenience retail. As a Senior Legal Counsel, you will not only play a crucial role in shaping the legal landscape of a high-growth business but also benefit from a competitive salary, equity package, and generous holiday allowance, all while being part of a collaborative culture that values employee growth and development. With opportunities to influence key business decisions and work alongside a talented leadership team, Zapp is committed to fostering a supportive atmosphere that empowers its employees to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Legal Counsel
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the legal field, especially those who have experience in fast-paced environments. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Zapp and its business model. Understand their legal challenges and think about how you can contribute to their growth. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your adaptability! In a fast-growing company like Zapp, being able to pivot and handle various legal matters is key. Share examples from your past where you successfully managed multiple priorities under pressure.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the team at Zapp.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Legal Counsel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Legal Counsel role. Highlight your experience in commercial law, regulatory matters, and any relevant in-house experience. We want to see how your background aligns with our fast-paced environment!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for Zapp. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your strategic legal partnering skills and how you can help us scale our business.
Showcase Your Commercial Acumen:In both your CV and cover letter, emphasise your strong commercial instincts. We’re looking for someone who can balance legal risk with business ambition, so share examples of how you've done this in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zapp
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the key legal areas mentioned in the job description, like commercial agreements and regulatory compliance. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with these areas and how you can provide pragmatic legal advice that supports business goals.
✨Show Your Strategic Side
This role is all about being a strategic partner. Prepare examples of how you've identified legal risks and opportunities in past roles. Think about how you can translate complex legal jargon into actionable insights for cross-functional teams.
✨Demonstrate Your Interpersonal Skills
Since you'll be working closely with the Founder and Executive Leadership Team, it's crucial to showcase your communication skills. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, and be prepared to discuss how you've built trust and collaborated with various stakeholders in previous positions.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Process Improvements
Zapp is looking for someone who can build and improve legal processes. Come prepared with ideas on how you’ve streamlined legal operations in the past. Think about specific tools or frameworks you've implemented that could benefit a fast-paced environment like theirs.
