Legal Counsel

We have an exciting opportunity for a junior English qualified solicitor to join the growing legal team of our UK-based business division, which offers a range of B2B product lines, including language training to corporates and executive leadership programs. From our Ashridge Estate located in Hertfordshire, we complement our B2B educational offerings with a B2C business (hospitality, weddings, conferences, events). We are looking for an individual who will work under the guidance and direction of the Senior Legal Counsel who heads up the B2B legal team, in an environment where important hands-on commercial decisions need to be made quickly and frequently in a very entrepreneurial context.
Scope

• Finding workable solutions to legal issues and taking proactive ownership to secure implementation throughout our international organisation.


• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating a range of legal documentation, in particular customer and supplier contracts, helping commercial managers to identify what is most important.


• Facing external stakeholders such as procurement and legal departments within large B2B clients in commercial deal making and negotiations.
  
  English qualified solicitor (1 - 3 years' PQE (or equivalent experience)) with broad legal experience working in-house or within the commercial department of a private practice law firm. The PQE level is very much a guide and those with greater or lesser experience are encouraged to apply if they feel they would be a good fit.


• Commercial law experience and, ideally, relevant experience in IP and data protection.


• Fluency in English essential with a professional working proficiency in another language desirable.


• Commercial acumen; ability to balance risk vs. reward, theory vs. practice.


• Experience in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, preferably within an international context on sale and supplier side.


• Extremely strong communication and interpersonal skills.


• Displays a high level of integrity, professionalism and collaboration skills.


• Creativity - ability to develop workable creative win-win solutions with clients and suppliers.


• Self-motivated with aptitude to work autonomously, yet humble and asking for expertise support as needed.


• Ability to work efficiently and prioritise in a fast-paced environment.


• Decisive and comfortable being part of quick decision-making processes, at times with an incomplete set of data, requiring ability to drive decisions and take calculated risks.


• Ability to adapt to an international culture in a vibrant, sales driven and non-hierarchical organisational structure without "corner offices", interacting with versatile stakeholders.
  
  Office location: London (hybrid working will be considered after successful probation)

About EF Education First
At EF we believe that the world is better when people try to understand one another. Since 1965, we have helped millions of people see new places, experience new cultures, and learn new things about the world and about themselves. Our culturally immersive education programs-focused on language, travel, cultural exchange, and academics-turn dreams into international opportunities.
When you join EF, you join a multicultural and diverse community working across more than 600 schools and offices in 50 countries, all with one shared mission of opening the world through education. Whoever you are, whatever you are passionate about-we welcome you and want you to bring that to work every day.
Founded in Sweden in 1965, EF has schools and offices around the world, including hubs in Boston, London, Mexico City, São Paulo, Shanghai, Stockholm, Zürich, and more., · Developing our talent is core to our values. We provide regular training, access to self-development platforms, real ownership, and career progression opportunities
· Hybrid working arrangements potential
· Comprehensive Onboarding and development programs
· Length of Service Recognition including paid sabbatical
· A strong network of international peers and collaborators.
With campuses and offices in over 50 countries, including the beautiful Ashridge House outside London, we offer a truly global and collaborative environment.
UK Staff Benefits
· Office gym & yoga studio
· Cycle scheme
· Private Medical Insurance
· Loan for annual travel passes
· Employee Assistance Programme
EF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to inclusion and belonging across race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, disability, parental status, identity, experience and everything else that makes you unique.