Legal Counsel (12m FTC)

Who We Are:

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.

JOB MISSION:

The Legal Counsel will be responsible for supporting the New Balance EMEA Team with day to day legal support to New Balance’s European business. We are looking for an individual who demonstrates technical skill, commercial acumen and a passion for the brand.  Reporting into the Senior Legal Counsel and working alongside global legal specialists (US based), you will be a key part of the EMEA Team, offering support across a wide range of legal areas.

The core focus of this role will focus on regulatory/compliance matters, commercial and oversight of managing our retail property portfolio.  You will have key responsibility over discrete legal matters relating to New Balance’s European wholesale and direct-to-consumer business, with areas of responsibility for legal work across the region.

This is a 12-month FTC, based in our EMEA Head Office in Warrington. We offer hybrid working and a flexibility to working hours to accommodate for a healthy work life balance. Ideal candidates should be able to start around February 2027.

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Provide legal advice on New Balance’s compliance with applicable worldwide legal developments in areas including sustainability (comprising climate action and circularity), corporate responsibility, trade & customs, digitization, product safety and competition law and any other matters relevant to the Sporting Goods Industry.

• Attend certain cross industry groups (FESI, WFSGI) and seminars delivered by external counsel/industry specialists to ascertain best practice on key regulatory and compliance matters.

• Provide training where necessary (using insight gained from the above) to disseminate information to the EMEA and US business teams, most particularly the Design, Marketing, IT, Sourcing, Operations and Logistics teams, on the key regulatory and compliance matters set out above.

• Work collaboratively with the Global Compliance team, coordinating the relevant EMEA and US teams to ensure successful and timely implementation of the compliance related projects within the EMEA region.

• Draft and provide legal/commercial assistance in relation to a broad range of commercial and operational agreements and dealing with the administration related to the New Balance contractual portfolio.

• Support the Senior Legal Counsel in the provision of day to day legal support across the European based business functions including but not limited to: Retail; Ecommerce; IT; Operations; Finance/Corporate; Marketing; HR; and Customer Services.

• Support the Senior Legal Counsel in advising the European Senior Leadership Team (SLT), providing legal insight and expertise across a broad range of other ad hoc matters.

• Manage, with the assistance of external legal counsel from across Europe, the portfolio of New Balance property documentation including the negotiation of new leases and extensions to leases for New Balance retail property.

• Liaise with external counsel on specific matters, where necessary.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS:

• Solicitor or barrister with several years post qualification experience within industry.

• Knowledge of the worldwide regulatory and compliance developments affecting the European retail and/or sporting goods industry.

• Good knowledge of commercial law, ideally in a retail environment, with ability to draft contracts with minimal supervision.

• Experience of advising on a broad range of legal issues to either clients or in an in-house environment.

• Able to manage a varied workload across multiple areas of law.

• Able to work independently and in a team, with strong organisational skills.

• Demonstrate success in conducting a broad range of legal matters.

• Able to research tasks and provide independent advice (orally and in writing) on technical matters.

• Take effective decisions even under difficult circumstances and shows initiative.

• Establish effective relationships and relates well to individuals at all levels.

• Manages time effectively.

• Uphold ethics and values, acts with integrity

• Experience of advising brands in the Retail/Ecommerce sector is beneficial.

• Secondment to industry if currently in private practice is beneficial.

BENEFITS:

• Private Medical Insurance

• Dental Scheme

• Pension Scheme

• Flexible Working Hours

• Hybrid working (3 days on-site)

• 25 days Annual Leave per year

• Life Insurance

• On Site Gym

• Employee Discount

• Flexibility to work 20 days from anywhere each year

• Wellbeing and Mental Health Benefit (24/7 Employment Assistance Program & Support)

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

New Balance is committed to equality of opportunity for all current and prospective associates regardless of age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership and gender reassignment. We are an equal opportunity employer and support a culture of diversity and inclusion.

If you have not already done so, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.

About Us

At New Balance, our job is to aid athletes in their pursuit of excellence, whether that means helping professional athletes set records and win medals, or propelling everyday athletes to achieve a new PR, run their first 5K or just to live a more healthy and active lifestyle.

Our products are the perfect blend of function and fashion, giving you the performance technology you need and the style you want. Our associates around the world bring these goals to life with their high-level skills and creativity. While we offer the best product on the market, we’re also equally committed to giving back. So while we look to succeed, we believe in ensuring others have the same opportunity.