Job Title:  Legal Counsel - UK & Ireland

Your role in a nutshell

We are looking for an ambitious, purpose driven, commercial lawyer.

We are looking for a team player, for an entrepreneur, and for someone who thrives in the detail but who can also hover above that detail and see the bigger picture. We are looking for someone who can not only knuckle down and get the day-to-day work done, but who also looks at problems through a different lens. We want to hear from lawyers who are willing to get out of their lane and really work with their business colleagues to provide useable advice and guidance.

Being an excellent lawyer is now the baseline. We want to hear from lawyers who can offer something more! 

Principal Duties

The role shall be responsible for delivering commercial advice, negotiating and drafting commercial agreements for UK & Ireland using commercial awareness and judgment on the advice given and drawing on specific legal qualifications and experience. Whilst being fairly heavily focused on commercial and commercial contracts work, there is the opportunity to get involved in wider areas of work such as Employment, and with projects and Legal Ops initiatives as they arise. 

Based in London Bridge (office based working required only a couple of days a week), with some need to travel to other Group offices in the UK, namely Northampton, the associate will play a critical role in providing legal support and guidance to all businesses in Natura & Co, based in the UK and Ireland.  The associate will report into the two General Counsel – UK & Ireland (TBS and Avon), but will also work closely with Global Legal colleagues to research and advise upon complex legal matters based in the UK and Ireland. This role will involve working directly with and advising key business stakeholders across all UK business functions.

Day-to-day work will include:

• Review, draft, negotiate and amend a range of commercial agreements from start to completion including services agreements, local supplier agreements, influencer agreements, charity agreements, events agreements.
• Supporting the organisation of company campaigns (including marketing, PR, CSR and causes) and events.
• Be the UK & Ireland legal lead on promotional activities, including drafting and reviewing promotional terms & conditions, materials – whether digital, in store or through direct selling.
• Approve local marketing materials - reviewing to ensure compliance with the law and company tone of voice. Working closely with key partners in the Regulatory and Marketing teams (key focus as UK market includes two key global head offices of Natura & CO – The Body Shop & Avon Cosmetics).
• Legal research and provision of legal advice and training including preparing briefing notes or updates on relevant legislation and case law, as well as industry-related developments, changes and trends. Key focus on Anti-trust, data privacy and digital.
• Prepare the business in order to ensure compliance with both existing and key changes in legislation.
• Implement and/or amend existing agreements resulting from legislative changes (e.g. GDPR).
• Deal with day to day legal queries.
• Champion the continuation of professional development of the UK & Ireland legal teams and assist in management of the team’s training and know how.
• Support Global colleagues in relation to UK & Ireland-related matters.

What we look for

• Someone who embodies the company values, a self motivator with a can-do attitude, who is willing to get stuck in.
• A qualified solicitor. Ideally with experience working in house in cosmetic or FMCG sectors.
• The role will be an integral part of the UK & Ireland Legal Function (including supporting Global Legal colleagues in UK matters) and will involve working directly with senior business partners across all UK business functions.
• Strong requirement to coordinate with other business functions and integrate the work of other teams.
• Experience in commercial and retail UK law with an ability to delivery pragmatic advice.
• Innovation is key in relation to many aspects of the role, such as the provision of advice, keeping the legal team updated on know-how and legal research.

Skills

• Organised and efficient.
• Enthusiastic and hardworking, a supportive teammate.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• A clear commercial awareness and pragmatism.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a positive can-do demeanour.
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritise workloads and meet deadlines, comfortable dealing with a large workload under time constraints.
• High level of discretion with confidential matters.
• Ability to run time effectively.
• Regularly working with and advising senior management, training all levels within the business.
• Detail orientated.

The Body Shop

When Anita Roddick founded The Body Shop in 1976, she had a vision. Business as a force for good – that’s us. Over 40 years later, we’re proud to be pioneering cruelty-free beauty every step of the way. We’re the original ethical beauty brand. We’ve got a thing for empowering people and enriching our planet. We’re all about keeping it real, in every way possible. Our activist roots remain a huge part of everything we do, from our iconic window posters to our vegetarian products to our infamous campaigns. We’re never afraid to stand up and speak the truth. We like to do things a little differently around here. 

The Body Shop, along with Aesop and Natura, is part of Natura & Co, a global, multi-channel and multi-brand cosmetics group that is committed to generating positive economic, social and environmental impact. Group owner Natura is Brazil's number one cosmetics manufacturer. Sustainable development has been the company's guiding principle since it was founded in 1969. In fact, this is an incredibly exciting time for The Body Shop. We’re fighting for what we believe in now more than ever. No holding back. Breaking the mould has always come naturally to us, and we need someone who’s not afraid to mix things up. 

Benefits

Hybrid working at our HQ’s in London Bridge and Littlehampton, West Sussex, where our teams spend 4 days a fortnight.

23 days holiday plus bank holidays - also with an option to buy/sell holiday

1 Self Love Day – an extra day off per year to recharge and focus on what you love to do most

3 additional days a year to volunteer in the local community to support the causes you feel most passionate about

6% contributory pension plan (that rises with loyalty)

Discretionary bonus scheme

LOVE Money – Money from us to spend on YOUR wellbeing - pamper yourself on us. Every year.

50% employee discount on our products and access to sample sales

Access to Perks at Work, our online shopping channel with exclusive deals & discounts

Access to our Nourish platform, where you have access at certain times of the year to fantastic benefits including: Pension Top Up, Private Medical Insurance options, Green Car Benefits, Cycle To Work scheme, Techscheme, On site nursery (for Littlehampton colleagues).

Life Assurance

Employee Assistance Programme –  We work with experts to support you on all aspects of your Wellbeing: Physical, Mental and Financial.

Diversity and Inclusion

At The Body Shop, we firmly believe that equality is a human right and that all people should have an equal opportunity to pursue their dreams and aspirations.  We are committed to attracting, developing, and retaining the very best people by offering a creative and inclusive workplace where talent is recognized. We value diversity and consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. We are proud to have a number of different active employee inclusion networks that serve not just as catalysts for change, but also to build a spirit of diversity, equality, inclusivity, and provide safe supportive spaces for engagement and solidarity for members of these communities.  The Body Shop is also committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable adjustments for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programmes and activities. To request a reasonable adjustment or further support, please let us know in your application.