Legal Counsel - Commercial in Peterborough

Job title:  Legal Counsel – Commercial

Function: Group Legal

Reports to:  Head of Legal – UK&I

Sub Function:  UK&I Legal

Level / Grade: RL5

Location: Peterborough

Job purpose: Provides legal advice to the UK&I tour operator business, supporting the Head of Legal – UK&I, while thinking broadly and strategically, and exercising commercial and practical judgement.  Taking a lead role in Group compliance projects on behalf of the UK&I business and liaising closely with the other source markets as required.

Key accountabilities and decision ownership:

• Draft/review and negotiate a wide variety of commercial contracts e.g. indirect procurement contracts, non-disclosure agreements, IT agreements, goods and services agreements, and marketing agreements
• Act as a key legal advisor to the UK&I business providing commercial and strategic advice
• Monitor and manage template agreements and agreed positions for the UK&I business
• Support compliance initiatives in the UK&I business, as directed with Group. Particular focus on data protection (including handling subject access requests, compliance with GDPR, training), competition law and anti-bribery and corruption
• Develop and deliver legal and commercial training to relevant parts of the business, including in respect of template agreements, current legal developments and key legal issues with the intention of enabling a level of self-sufficiency for the team
• Manage commercial disputes and litigation arising in respect of commercial contracts
• Manage relationships with external law firms providing commercial or compliance advice to the UK&I business and ensure that all law firms provide relevant, timely and cost-effective advice
• Embed and foster a compliance and customer-focussed culture, delivering the relevant service for the customer (internal or external) on a timely basis, whilst seeking and acting on feedback to make continual improvements to the customer experience

Skills, know-how and experience:

Must have:

• English law qualified with strong academic record (more than three years PQE)
• High level of understanding of general contract law and experience drafting and negotiating commercial contracts and transaction documents independently
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, along with great attention to detail
• Builds strong business relationships and naturally influences stakeholders
• Resilient and able to work at pace in a transformational environment

Preferred:

• Exposure to additional specialist areas (e.g., IT, outsourcing, intellectual property and data protection)
• In house experience
• Travel sector experience

Key performance indicators:

• UK&I commercial transactions are completed successfully and on time, with value added, risks appropriately managed, stakeholders kept up-to-date and costs minimised
• Displays clear and consistent behaviour and professional values that complement those of the organisation
• Takes the lead legal role on a wide variety of matters and supports the Head of Legal – UK&I on complex and strategic matters

Direct reports: N/A

Budget Owned:  N/A

Key stakeholders: Head of Legal – UK&I, members of the Legal Leadership Team, Group General Counsel