General Counsel
Job No:
WHS218
Location:
Woolloomooloo
- Join a well-known international brand
- Flexible working arrangements – 3 days per week
- Relaxed, contemporary working environment
About the company:
WHSmith is an historic, much loved international retailer that operates stores in an array of fast paced, dynamic environments including airports, train stations, hospitals, universities, and shopping centres.
The Role:
Provide expert, professional, and independent legal advice, support, and services to WHSmith Australia on a broad range of issues impacting its business with a particular focus on commercial property, general commercial agreements, advice and transactions, acquisitions, corporate governance, regulatory and commercial affairs, franchise activity, dispute resolution, risk and compliance activities.
What we are looking for
- Qualified lawyer with Australian practising certificate (or eligibility to hold one)
- A minimum of 10 years' PQE with a background in corporate and commercial law gained in private practice or in-house
- Strong experience in commercial contracting, commercial leasing and franchising
- Experience working in or advising a retail business, and knowledge of key consumer legislation would be ideal but is not essential
- Excellent communication skills and ability to engage at all levels of the organisation
- An adaptable mindset with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment
- A proactive, positive and enthusiastic working style
Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to
Manage and advise on:
- Commercial leasing arrangements
- Franchising arrangements, disputes and general compliance
- A wide range of commercial agreements and other documentation including Lotteries agreements, securities, employment, confidentiality, privacy and supply agreements.
- WHSmith Australia’s commercial lease portfolio. Review, advise on, and negotiate commercial lease documents.
- General corporate governance
- Maintaining and protecting our intellectual property portfolio
- Regulatory and legislative obligations, changes and interpretation.
- Trademark registrations, business name registrations, and Personal Property Securities registrations.
- Legal aspects of external agreements including supplier and confidentiality agreements.
Manage risk by maintaining awareness of, and responsiveness to, legal and regulatory factors and assessing their potential to impact on WHSmith Australia’s business.
Negotiate, draft, settle, and administer legal, commercial agreements and other documentation including ad hoc loan, property licence, securities, employment, confidentiality, and supply agreements.
Negotiate settlement of claims against WHSmith Australia, when appropriate, and draft deeds of release and settlement.
Liaise with government officials, departments or tribunals on matters affecting the WHSmith Australia's activities.
Required experience:
- At least 10 years’ post admission experience as a legal practitioner.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Law.
- Admitted as a solicitor or barrister to the High Court of Australia or to the Supreme Court of an Australian State.
- A legal practitioner holding a current unrestricted Australian practising certificate.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
- Sound commercial acumen
- Adaptable to a fast-paced and dynamic environment
WHSmith's Australian operations are rapidly expanding, so there is a real opportunity here to make a positive impact.
Interested? Apply (via this website only), specifying your salary expectations in a covering note.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.