Commercial Counsel (BBU)

Job Introduction

To deliver commercial, actionable and timely legal advice and guidance to the BBU primarily across the Europe and Americas regions, to ensure that the Company maximises business opportunities and manages risk in these areas appropriately. Support the Legal Director BBU to deliver the Legal Compliance agenda across these BBU regions. 

Main Responsibility

• Manage and lead the day to day provision of legal services to the Europe and Americas regions of the BBU. Work closely with the Legal Director BBU to ensure that WG&S maximises opportunity and minimises legal risk in its operations and business relationships. Offer proactive legal advice on possible legal issues. Draft and advise on the contracts that are required for these business areas to operate successfully and to protect the Business’ interests and utilise opportunities.
• Partner with the Regional Managing Directors for Europe and the Americas ensuring that they are kept abreast of any legal issues within their areas of responsibility and to be their first port of call for legal input.
• Work with the Legal Director BBU to ensure a balance of work between yourself and the Counsel BBU GTR, recognizing the variation in demands from the BBU and providing legal support to other areas of the BBU if required. Also provide advice to the NRM and RTC and other areas of the BBU as required.
• Drive and support the legal compliance agenda in the Europe and Americas BBU regions  ensuring that all are aware of their obligations in that regard and that relevant training is carried out. In Monitor compliance in the regions and ensure that any gaps or failures in compliance are addressed without delay to ensure that the organisation is protected.
• Support local teams and the Compliance and Controls Manager, BBU on necessary regulatory documentation across all markets under their responsibility and assist the Assistant Company Secretary on company secretarial requirements in countries as required.
• Work closely with the Legal Director BBU to support the strategy, ambition and change agenda of the BBU from a legal perspective.
• Manage external legal providers in the Europe and Americas regions advising the BBU, to ensure that they are delivering the services that are needed by the organisation. Assist the Legal Director BBU to manage the legal budget for those regions to ensure that WG&S receives value for money in the purchasing of such services.
• Keep up to date with developments in legislation and implementing changes to the strategy & policies in response to changes to the risk profile of WG&S.
• Assist the Legal Director BBU, in the development of template agreements to be used by the commercial business units in their third party relationships and the development of a database of documents ensuring the proper maintenance of records for the commercial operations. Contribute to the maintenance and development of the Legal Team’s knowledge and know how.
• Otherwise be a full participating member of the legal and corporate affairs team providing legal advice and support to other areas of the business as may be required from time to time.

Our Ideal Candidate

• Law degree and right to practice in the United Kingdom.
• Post-qualification experience in drafting, reviewing and negotiating a wide range of commercial and corporate agreements.
• Experience in developing and rolling-out engaging and effective legal training to non-lawyers.
• Experience in alcohol/beverage sector or advising other brand-led businesses would be advantageous.
• Engaging interpersonal skills that enable working with a wide variety of areas, cultures and levels of responsibility.
• Energetic and self-motivated.
• Draws on strong legal knowledge and expertise to carry out role efficiently.
• Demonstrates a high level of business acumen.
• Displays high levels of integrity and resilience.

What we can offer you

• We offer a competitive salary and benefits which are designed to promote our employees financial wellbeing. Employees are also eligible to participate in a bonus plan.
• Our employees enjoy a generous holiday entitlement and an opportunity to ‘buy’ or ‘sell’ some holiday entitlement.
• Private Healthcare and Doctor@Hand (remote GP service).
• Our employees can join a defined contribution pension plan. Employees contribute either 4% or 5% of salary, the company contributes 8% or 10% depending on the employee contribution. Employee contributions can be made through salary sacrifice.
• Our Employee Assistance Programme offers practical, impartial support on everyday matters ranging from medical, financial and legal to home and family issues. 
• Our Life Assurance cover is a multiple of eight times your annual basic salary.
• Product allocation so that you can enjoy our fantastic portfolio of brands.
• Our Cycle to Work scheme allows you to hire a bike for an agreed length of time, and then snap it up for a fraction of its original value. All while making savings (at least 25%) and spreading the cost.
• Every employee has the opportunity to claim up to £1,000 per year for a charity or charities for which they have raised money, volunteered their time or personally donated.
• Learning resources to help you be your best self.

About William Grant & Sons

A HOME FOR RARE CHARACTERS

William Grant & Sons: a home where Rare Characters thrive.

We value every employee for their rare character, distinctive skills, experience and perspectives. Every one of our colleagues has a role to play in helping us to achieve our growth ambitions.

At William Grant & Sons, our vision is to be A home where rare characters thrive. We value all colleagues for their rare character, distinctive skills, experience and perspectives. Diversity & Inclusion is at the heart of how we do things at William Grant & Sons, fully aligned to our purpose and our company values. We strive to create an environment where we can all be our best and bring our whole selves to work.

OUR AGILE WORKING PHILOSOPHY

Our agile working philosophy is to “Have your best work day everyday”.
Built on trust, we empower our rare characters to have their best work day every day. Where flexibility and positive working experiences help employees to feel connected and release potential across our teams.
We are open to discussing possible agile/flexible working options as part of the recruitment process.

INCLUSIVE RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Diversity & Inclusion is at the heart of how we do things at William Grant & Sons, fully aligned to our purpose and our company values. We want to ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive. If you have any questions or need some support with your application we’d love to hear from you. So please get in touch with our HR team at recruitment.enquiries@wgrant.com.