Born in 1971, the roots of Mulberry are in Somerset, England. For more than fifty years, Mulberry has been a British lifestyle brand, internationally acclaimed for quality and design capturing the Mulberry Spirit.
Sustainability has been part of the Mulberry ethos since the brand's inception, in recognition of our purpose-driven approach, in 2024 we proudly achieved B Corp Certification.
Today, we are a global brand, but our values remain the same; we are committed to improving our impact on people and the planet. If these are values you share, we would love you to join our team.
The Role:
Acting as a legal advisor to Mulberry, you will provide high quality, relevant legal advice and support on a wide variety of business projects, with a particular focus on commercial and IT/technology contracts. You will have a legal mindset but also great commercial acumen to support the business and their approach to contract negotiations.
An understanding of business risks in the macro climate as well as specific legal and contract risks will be an advantage, as the department looks to develop an enterprise risk approach.
You are an agile and technically excellent commercial lawyer with an interest in technology and the retail goods sector who is looking to undertake an interesting and varied workload in a brilliant brand. This role can be based either from our office in Chilcompton, Somerset or in Kensington, London. The successful candidate may work maxmimum 2 days per week from home.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Draft, negotiate and advise on a variety of contracts to secure the best position for Mulberry and minimise risk. Contract negotiations include but are not limited to, the purchase of materials, products, software and systems and services; the supply of products; concession agreements; wholesale agreements; franchise agreements; terms and conditions of sale/purchase; licences; NDAs; IT, digital, technology and SaaS agreements; and data processing agreements
- Development of standard form agreements
- Support with the resolution of performance or other contractual issues arising from ongoing supplier arrangements including resolving contentious matters
- Maintain a database of contracts and summary of terms, and look to develop a central hub of contracts, lease agreements and other key documentation for the business
- Undertake research, horizon scanning and identification of issues which may impact the business, ensuring projects align with regulatory requirements
- Identify key legal risks, advising on their implications for the Group and supporting the business by providing clear, pragmatic, solution-focused advice
- Work closely with the Group General Counsel and Group Financial Controller on the Enterprise Risk Framework for the business
- Design and deliver appropriate training sessions to the business such as GDPR and other relevant legal/compliance topics
- Deliver pragmatic advice and develop strong relationships with key stakeholders
- Manage legal risk and give proactive advice in order to reduce exposure
- Support the Group General Counsel in relation to a variety of projects as well as day to day commitments and work closely with other members of the legal team
- Work collaboratively with other departments, particularly retail and finance teams
Culture:
- Embrace and demonstrate the Mulberry values and behaviours: honesty, dynamism, and a community-oriented spirit.
- Support Mulberry to deliver an inclusive culture, through behaving in a way that is open-minded and respectful towards others, and understanding that your views, opinions, and experiences may not always be shared by your colleagues.
- Act as an ambassador for Mulberry and communicate positively about the brand.
Sustainability:
- As a certified B Corp business, it is important to incorporate environmentally responsible practices into your work wherever possible. Support the businesses ‘Five C’s’ strategy in addressing and improving Climate, Cultivation, Craft, Culture and Circularity. Promote a greener, more sustainable future.
- Support to foster an environment where diversity is embraced and all individuals feel valued, respected and included. Promote equity, empathy and understanding and demonstrate this commitment within your internal and external communities.
Skills and Experience Required:
- Law degree (LLB) and LPC essential (qualified to practice law in the UK)
- Qualified Solicitor with at least 3+ years PQE in commercial practice and/or in-house
- Strong academic credentials essential
- Excellent communication and drafting skills with a strong focus on attention to detail
- Ability to balance priorities and organise work effectively to meet deadlines
- Positive and hardworking self-starter with strong motivation to deliver a high-quality service
- Rigorous and organised in approach with the ability to manage a variable and pressurised workload
- Ability to quickly identify key issues and considerations and the relevant legal principles
- Motivated and comfortable working both independently and collaboratively
- Logical thinker with natural flair for problem solving and ability to distil complex legal principles into more accessible language and communicate issues and risks
- Excellent knowledge of contract law and drafting requirements, and a strong knowledge of principles of civil litigation
- Excellent knowledge of the principles of technology and digital contracts and application to business operations
- Proven track record of providing high quality legal advice, in particular in relation to international commercial and technology contracts
- Strong knowledge of global data protection requirements, including Data Protection Act, GDPR and SCCs
- Strong knowledge of consumer protection law
- Strong research skills to find applicable cases and legislation and legal requirements.
- Appreciation and understanding of risk and risk management
- Dedication to continuous learning and keeping up to date with regulatory changes and key case law
- Honesty, integrity, and respect for confidentiality are essential