Job Role: Head of Commercial Legal
Location: London
Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Emeria UK operates in the residential real estate sector through its operating brands of Campions, FirstPort, Innovus and Knight Square. Emeria UK has a vision to be the leader of residential real estate services in the UK & Ireland.
Emeria UK is seeking an experienced Commercial Legal Counsel to lead a busy team in an exciting role within a company enjoying a period of expansion. This is a fast-paced environment that will keep the successful candidate engaged in a broad range of commercial legal matters. They will report to the Head of Legal and lead a team of 2-3 professionals. With a large degree of autonomy and responsibility and exposure to Senior Management, this role requires a confident self-starter who will drive and lead the transformation of the commercial legal function, including through embracing the adoption of new technologies and automation where appropriate.
Responsibilities will include providing legal advice in respect of a broad range of general Commercial, IT, IP and Corporate Governance issues. They will draft, review and negotiate commercial contracts such as framework agreements, terms and conditions, supply of goods and services agreements, property management agreements and deal with varied ad hoc queries. They will also play a crucial role in formulating responses to sometimes complex RFP opportunities.
Further, they will work with the Head of legal and General Counsel as necessary to identify and complete broader legal initiatives across the Group and assist with strategic matters as and when required e.g. M&A.
This role will involve working across all levels of the business including clients, customers, suppliers and executive/senior members in delivering a strategic legal approach to commercial and contract specific related issues.
This will be a London based role, with significant office presence required to ensure success.
Key Accountabilities
- Contract management – Drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts and related legal documents to ensure compliance with agreed company tolerances, statutory requirements and ensuring that risk is appropriately mitigated.
- Provision of strategic legal advice on a range of matters from contract termination and renewals to consideration of the impact of regulatory requirements.
- Team Leadership: Supervise and mentor a team of legal professionals, handling various legal functions, fostering a high-performance culture.
- Review and enhance business practices, including delivering efficiency gains through the identification and adoption of new technologies and empowering business colleagues through automation where feasible.
- Lead on procurement issues from a legal perspective, including the engagement of suppliers to meet company and ultimate client needs, alongside provision of initial guidance on supplier disputes matters (working closely with the dispute resolution team as is necessary).
- Lead/contribute to broader legal team projects and assist other teams with key projects e.g. Finance/CoSec and corporate reorganization activities.
- Develop and maintain precedents to ensure they reflect current business practices and regulatory requirements.
- Design and deliver commercial contract training to key business partners
- Integrate within the wider business team, focusing on becoming a key business partner and commercially focused business player.
Person Specification
Experience and Skills
- England and Wales qualified with 5-10 years PQE.
- Ideal candidates will have significant experience of commercial contracts, team management, and strategic legal oversight in a dynamic environment.
- Previous in-house experience would be advantageous but is not a pre-requisite.
- Experience in the real estate industry, particularly the residential sector, or the construction industry is an advantage, but not essential.
- Strong interpersonal skills, team player, business oriented, ability to think strategically and establish a “trusted advisor/partner” relationship with internal clients.
- Consistent delivery on commitments, great organizational skills, resourceful, results-oriented leader with exceptional follow through and attention to detail.
- Ability to distil complex issues into simple solutions.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, motivated self-starter.
The Benefits
Our customers deserve the best and the same applies to our people. We’ll support you with all of the technology, training and support that you need to do your job well. We offer competitive salaries and a range of benefit packages. In addition to the core benefits, we also offer a range of exclusive discounts on extra benefits to help you and your family make the most of your money, safeguard your future and look after your health.
Diversity
We’re committed to promoting diversity at Emeria and recruit on merit. We will consider applications from job share applicants.
Ready to Apply?
Click the below apply button to start your application for this role. We will ask you to upload your CV and answer a few questions.
If you meet the criteria for the role we’ll be in touch to arrange a short telephone interview and our shortlist of candidates will be invited to attend interviews with the hiring manager and up to three other key stakeholders.