Head of Legal - International Fashion Brand
- Recruiter
- Stanford Resourcing
- Location
- London (West), London (Greater)
- Salary
- Competitive package for the industry with attractive benefits
- Posted
- 03 Oct 2017
- Closes
- 31 Oct 2017
- Vacancy Type
- Solicitors, In-House
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full Time
- Practice Areas
- Company/Commercial, Corporate, M&A, Intellectual Property, Real Estate, Commercial property
- PQE
- 7+ Years
- Experience Level
- Management/Head of Department, Senior Executive, Senior Level
My client is a rapidly expanding, premium international fashion brand, with 550 Stores and Concessions in partnership with leading retailers worldwide. With plans for future acquisitions and to open additional Stores and Concessions both in the UK and internationally, this firm has an exciting opportunity for a qualified and experienced lawyer to join the group as Head of Legal.
The Candidate
The role is suited to a high calibre individual who is comfortable working in a fast-moving environment where decisions are made promptly, with high quality, commercially sound advice expected on an ad hoc basis. The role requires an individual who can build successful and lasting relationships and challenge and influence across all levels within the business as well as externally. The right candidate will be a qualified lawyer with at least five years’ experience post qualification including some solid in-house experience, ideally within the retail sector.
The Head of Legal will report into the CFO and will deliver on the following responsibilities, in consultation with external legal advisers where appropriate:
Responsibilities
Commercial Agreements
- Advising on the wider structuring of new commercial agreements
- Drafting / reviewing and supporting in the negotiation of heads of terms and final commercial agreements (including concession/consignment, wholesale, supplier and distribution contracts)
- Liaising with and coordinating relevant teams to inform and implement required processes
- Dispute resolution in respect of existing agreements
Mergers and Acquisitions
- Producing preliminary documentation such as NDAs, offer letters and releases
- Initial due diligence and identification of key legal risks
- Drafting and reviewing deal documentation and liaising with external lawyers on potential legal and commercial issues
- Post-completion matters (e.g. IP matters and other filings / registrations)
Compliance/Regulatory
- Producing risk registers, compliance trackers and agendas for meetings with parent company
- Responding to ad hoc queries from parent company about operation of UK legislation
- Research and analysis on changing legislation, ensuring implementation of necessary changes and working with relevant departments on communication
- Drafting/updating customer facing policies
- Liaising with bodies such as FCA and ICO
Intellectual Property
- Liaising with external lawyers to arrange trademark applications for new markets or brands
- Instructing on overcoming oppositions/obstacles to new or current registrations
- Problem solving on ad-hoc trade mark issues (drafting or responding to cease and desist letters; fraudulent website takedowns etc.)
Property
- Liaising with external property lawyers on new leases, renewals and terminations and ensuring appropriate commercial terms
- Overseeing resolution of property issues
Company Secretarial
- Management of Company books and preparation of supporting board minutes / other paperwork
- Liaising with overseas counsel on maintenance of relevant registers and annual filings
- Creation and maintenance of legal databases
Ad Hoc Legal Support
- Arranging / providing training on key legislative developments and compliance obligations
- Assisting across all departments on ad hoc legal queries, claims or threats and problem solving
- Exploring legal options and structures when entering new markets
Required Skills
- Qualified lawyer with experience of co-ordinating and instructing external lawyers
- Previous in-house experience is necessary, preferably within retail sector
- Experience in commercial law would be beneficial
- Strong interpersonal skills, ability to communicate effectively across all business functions
- Highly organised, efficient and pragmatic, with excellent attention to detail
- Strong commercial acumen
- A team player with strong work ethic and integrity
- A flexible approach, with the ability to multitask and a ‘can do’ attitude
- Ability to travel occasionally