At a Glance
- Tasks: Own commercial contracts, negotiate deals, and ensure compliance with legal standards.
- Company: Join Zinc, a fast-growing startup redefining background checks with a culture-first approach.
- Benefits: Enjoy 24 days holiday, early finish Fridays, and a £1200 annual benefits allowance.
- Other info: Flexible work environment with excellent career growth and company socials.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a hands-on role while supporting innovative projects.
- Qualifications: Qualified lawyer with 2+ years’ experience in commercial contracts and negotiation.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
As Legal Counsel at Zinc, you’ll take ownership of commercial legal work across a full customer segment, redlines, negotiations and due diligence questionnaires across the whole commercial spectrum, while making sure our Revenue and Customer/Retention teams are properly supported with legal, regulatory and compliance guidance day to day. You’ll work closely with Product to help keep everything we ship GDPR compliant, and you’ll pick up ad hoc legal work across HR, employment, corporate and company secretarial matters as it comes up. This is a hands-on, individual contributor role, you won’t manage anyone, but you’ll carry real ownership of your own portfolio from day one.
Key Responsibilities
- Own commercial contracts end-to-end for an assigned customer segment.
- Redlining, negotiating and closing everything from routine sales agreements to due diligence questionnaires (DDQs), across the full commercial spectrum for that segment.
- Carry direct accountability for revenue-generating legal work: contracts and compliance sit together under this role rather than being split across the team, so you own both the paper and the risk calls that go with it.
- Act as the legal point of contact for Revenue, Customer and Retention: fielding legal, regulatory and compliance questions directly so deals, renewals and account queries aren’t stuck waiting on Legal.
- Support Product on GDPR compliance: expect this to be a meaningful part of the role in your first few months, tapering off over time as a dedicated privacy function is built out within the legal team and this work moves there.
- Pick up ad hoc legal work as it comes up: HR and employment matters, corporate work, and company secretarial (Co SEC) support. Scope here will flex with business need rather than being a fixed weekly commitment.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- Qualified lawyer, roughly 2+ years’ PQE, trained at a well-regarded firm, now looking to move in-house rather than stay in private practice.
- Solid grounding in commercial contracts, redlining and negotiation experience is what we’re looking for; commercial disputes experience is a reasonable substitute but less directly relevant.
- Good academic background and a solid training firm.
- Comfortable owning a portfolio independently without management responsibility.
Desirable:
- Exposure to GDPR/data privacy work.
- Experience in a regulated industry.
- Prior HR/employment or company secretarial exposure.
What we offer
- 24 days holiday + Bank Holidays + your birthday off.
- £1200 annual benefits allowance (ThanksBen, from month 2).
- Early finish Fridays (16:00).
- Yearly company retreat abroad.
- 30 days to Work from anywhere.
- Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, and Adoption Leave (13 weeks full pay, 17 weeks half pay, then SMP for maternity, 1 month full pay for paternity/adoption).
- Statutory pension with NEST (3% employer, 5% employee).
- Zinc shares, issued through the EMI Scheme.
- Unlimited access to Spill Therapy.
- Company socials, quarterly team socials.
- Free Monday lunches.
- Nursery workplace benefit scheme (Yellownest).
- Option to lease an electric car through Electric Car Scheme.
- Celebrated Zinc anniversaries.
Who we are
Zinc builds automated reference and background checking tools designed to improve candidate experience and set new industry standards. Founded in 2017 by a team with extensive HRTech experience, Zinc is an early-stage startup rapidly growing as it redefines efficiency, transparency, and fairness in background checks.
We’re a culture first company, by this we don't just mean an active calendar of both company and team organised events, Zinc's culture is defined by a respectful and autonomous approach to all employees, fostering support for new ideas, promoting a flexible work environment, and operating within a flat structure. While socials, lunches, and events enhance the experience, the core of Zinc's culture drives employees to embrace innovation, share successes, and feel motivated about the company's future.
We recently redefined our company values: The pieces that make Zinc: Pragmatic, Integrity, Empathy, Collaborate, Empowered, Speed.
Legal Counsel employer: Zinc
Zinc is an exceptional employer that prioritises a vibrant work culture and employee growth, making it an ideal place for the VP of People role. With a commitment to scaling while preserving its unique environment, Zinc offers generous benefits such as 24 days holiday, early finish Fridays, and a yearly retreat abroad, alongside a strong focus on professional development and leadership collaboration. Join a dynamic team in London where your contributions will directly shape the future of the company and its people strategy.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Counsel
✨Get Involved in Law Societies
Join local law societies and attend their events – they're often a goldmine for networking and job opportunities in the legal field. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other budding lawyers and experienced solicitors who could provide vital insights and connections.
✨Tap into Online Legal Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online platforms like LinkedIn and specific legal forums. Get active in discussions or share your thoughts on recent legal developments – this not only builds your visibility but also showcases your passion and knowledge in law.
✨Attend Career Fairs and Workshops
Look out for career fairs and workshops specifically focused on law. Many law firms, including Zinc, will be scouting for fresh talent, so bring your A-game and don’t shy away from making a memorable impression.
✨Leverage Your University’s Career Services
If you’re still in university or have recently graduated, latch onto your career services! They often have connections with law firms looking for graduates and can guide you through the application process tailored for the legal sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Counsel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Legal Knowledge:When applying for a full-time role in legal services at Zinc, make sure to demonstrate your understanding of key legal principles and areas of law relevant to the position. Include any specific coursework, modules, or certifications, like LPC or BPTC qualifications, that showcase your legal expertise directly on your CV.
Showcase Your Research Skills:In the legal field, strong research skills are crucial. Use your application to illustrate how you've utilised these skills in past studies or work experiences – whether that's through past internships or significant projects. Mention any legal databases or tools you’re proficient in, as this can give you an edge.
Tailor That Cover Letter!:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make it personal by expressing your genuine interest in Zinc and the specific role of Legal Counsel. Talk about why you want to be part of their team, how your unique experiences align with their values, and why you’re passionate about the legal sector.
Stay Formal but Friendly:While we all know the legal world can be pretty formal, don’t be afraid to let a bit of personality shine through in your written application. Use a respectful tone, but feel free to inject a little warmth; this approach can help you stand out and show you're a great fit for Zinc’s culture!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zinc
✨Know Your Legal Principles
Brush up on foundational legal principles relevant to the specific area of law you’re applying for, whether it’s corporate, criminal, or family law. We might get asked situational questions to test your knowledge, so being articulate about key concepts will make you stand out.
✨Be Ready for Case Studies
Full-time legal roles often involve case studies during interviews. Prepare to analyse a hypothetical case and discuss your approach to it. Practising this with a peer or mentor can help us refine our reasoning and articulate a solid legal argument.
✨Show Off Your Research Skills
As legal professionals, strong research skills are a must. Have examples ready of how you've effectively used legal databases or conducted thorough legal research in your past experiences. It's a great way to demonstrate your readiness for the role at Zinc.
✨Exude Professionalism and Confidence
In the legal field, professionalism is key. During the interview, we should maintain good eye contact and communicate clearly to show that we’re not just knowledgeable, but also confident. This can make a positive impression on your potential colleagues at Zinc.
