Head of Legal

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the legal function, setting priorities and ensuring the team provides timely, practical and commercially focused advice.
• Advise the CFO, Board and senior management on material legal risks, transactions and business decisions.
• Develop and manage the legal team, including the Senior Legal Counsel and Paralegal, providing appropriate supervision and opportunities for development.
• Establish clear processes for legal review, approval and escalation.
• Manage the legal budget and external advisers, ensuring appropriate expertise, service and value.
• Build effective relationships with colleagues across Finance, Property, Buying, Operations, People, IT and Marketing.

• Oversee legal support for the store portfolio, including acquisitions, leases, renewals, relocations, disposals and closures.
• Lead negotiations on significant or complex property transactions.
• Advise on material landlord and tenant issues, including break rights, repairing obligations, service charges and dilapidations.
• Oversee property disputes and work with the Property team and external advisers to achieve practical outcomes.
• Ensure appropriate systems are maintained for monitoring property obligations and critical dates.

• Lead the negotiation of significant commercial agreements, including supplier, logistics, distribution, IT, services and strategic partnership arrangements.
• Advise on contractual risk, liability, indemnities, termination rights and business continuity.
• Oversee the development and use of contract templates, negotiation guidance and approval procedures.
• Support the resolution of material contractual disputes.

• Lead legal support for acquisitions, disposals, group reorganisations and other strategic projects.
• Coordinate legal due diligence and negotiate transaction documents with external advisers where appropriate.
• Advise on corporate governance, directors’ duties and company law matters.
• Oversee company secretarial arrangements, statutory records, filings and corporate approvals.
• Support financing arrangements, guarantees and security documentation in conjunction with the Finance team.

• Oversee legal advice on consumer protection, advertising, data protection, intellectual property and other regulatory matters relevant to the business.
• Work with the People Team on significant employment matters and disputes.
• Support international operations and expansion, coordinating local legal advice where required.
• Monitor relevant legal developments and translate them into practical actions for the business.
• Develop proportionate legal policies and training, working with relevant business functions to support compliance.

• Oversee material litigation, regulatory investigations and other contentious matters.
• Advise on dispute strategy, settlement options and potential financial or operational exposure.
• Ensure significant legal risks are identified, communicated and escalated appropriately.
• Coordinate legal support for urgent incidents and sensitive business matters.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Qualified solicitor in England and Wales with substantial post-qualification experience appropriate to a Head of Legal role.
• Strong experience in commercial contracts and commercial property.
• Experience advising senior management on complex legal and commercial issues.
• A sound understanding of corporate transactions, governance and legal risk management.
• Experience leading or supervising lawyers and managing external advisers.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and communication skills.
• Ability to exercise independent judgement, explain risks clearly and recommend practical solutions.
• Confidence balancing strategic responsibilities with hands-on legal work.

• Previous experience as Head of Legal, Deputy Head of Legal or in a senior in-house legal role.
• Experience within retail or a business with a substantial leasehold property portfolio.
• Experience supporting international operations and coordinating advisers across jurisdictions.
• Experience of acquisitions, business integration and financing transactions.

Job Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Hybrid working, 3 days in London based office & 2 working from home
• Holiday allowance
• 50% staff discount & 25% for family and friends
• Pension scheme