Legal Counsel

A bit about the role

As Legal Counsel in Selfridges Legal Team, you will support the business to achieve its vision to reinvent retail, whilst putting the customer at the heart of what we do; providing legal solutions ensuring that key legal issues and responsibilities are addressed and compliance requirements are met. You will understand and embrace Selfridges as a whole, from the customer facing front-of-house teams to the back-of-house functions and project teams that are needed to run a truly omni-channel, global, luxury retailer.

You will be impactful, build strong relationships and bring a positive, pragmatic decision-making focus, identifying risk and balancing common sense with a can-do attitude in a fast-paced environment. You will demonstrate careful attention to detail, the ability to plan and prioritise, ensuring key tasks are carried out in a timely manner, bringing clarity and structure to assist others. You will be comfortable in multi-tasking, in questioning and finding solutions, advising and supporting colleagues from across the business.

As Legal Counsel you will:

• Support the General Counsel and legal team to provide legal solutions for Selfridges, providing effective and strategic advice on a broad range of matters from commercial contracts, data and digital technology, to marketing, compliance and procurement, property/construction, ESG/sustainability and consumer law.
• Provide sound legal advice to the business, in plain English and without jargon; sometimes working with external advisors. You will be comfortable flexing how you deliver your advice for different stakeholders, as well as adjusting for the risk appetite of the business.
• Be comfortable to work autonomously, or as part of a team; bringing in more senior colleagues as appropriate and updating senior stakeholders on key points or issues.
• Prepare and assist with legal documents, contracts/deals, disputes/litigation, advice and investigations e.g. from a regulator. Draft, review, negotiate and administer contracts; research and analyse the law; advise or provide training or updates; support with compliance; keep good records. Support on business projects. Analyse and identify legal risks. Spot new or changing laws and the implications for Selfridges.
• Support the legal team to be a high performing team; supporting colleagues to achieve their goals to drive the business forward.

A bit about the role

• A junior lawyer (likely a UK qualified solicitor), with some prior legal experience (other than as a trainee solicitor). We would love to hear from candidate with c. 1-3 years’ post-qualification experience and ideally some experience working in a business (not necessarily as a lawyer).
• Someone with strong academic results and great legal experience, which should be relevant to Selfridges’ business and the broad range of commercial and legal work covered by the Legal team and needed by the business.
• Someone who can manage a busy workload and demonstrate their ability to translate complex legal issues into straightforward, pragmatic and user-friendly advice or documents; able to work alone or as part of a team.
• Experienced in supporting a customer-centric business with a can-do, collaborative approach; working at pace, and adjusting your style to suit your audience.
• Solutions focused and analytical. You are excellent at seeing through a problem and finding a solution, with strong organisational skills and a keen eye for detail. Able to manage deadlines and a complex workload, able to adjust pace or direction.
• A great communicator. With sound interpersonal skills and strong written and verbal communication, you can influence business stakeholders and develop strong relationships.
• Able to consider financial implications, risks, business impacts and working to a budget.
• Able to produce clear and concise advice or documents, be a good listener, be a collaborative team member and to offer leadership or ideas when required.
• An ambassador for the business, the legal and DPO team and their roles.
• Someone with integrity, professionalism and trustworthiness – essential for any lawyer.
• Someone who demonstrates Selfridges Values, a trusted and respected colleague.

This guide represents a summary of the role, however all team members are expected to be flexible in the work they undertake, which may change from time to time, according to the needs of the business.