General Counsel

Job Description My job
The role of European General Counsel is to provide best-in-class, professional legal services for Pilgrim’s Europe. Pilgrim’s Europe comprises twelve trading companies including Pilgrim’s UK, Moy Park and Pilgrim’s Food Masters UK (the Group). The European General Counsel acts as an effective guardian of the Group’s interests, facilitating the business strategies of the Group whilst limiting exposure to risk.
The General Counsel for the European division of Pilgrim’s will play a pivotal role in providing legal guidance and support across all aspects of Pilgrim’s operations in Europe. The role is responsible for ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and regulations, managing legal risks, and overseeing corporate governance matters as well as all other legal practice areas. The General Counsel will collaborate closely with other members of the business to address legal issues and drive strategic initiatives. Additionally, this role will lead the European legal team, providing mentorship and guidance to support their professional development and ensure the legal department operates efficiently and effectively.

Duties / Responsibilities:
Enhance and protect the Company’s commercial endeavours, objectives, brand and shareholder value by providing timely and high quality, tailored legal advice to all areas of the business either directly or by engaging appropriate external advisers.
Provide oversight of regulatory frameworks and outcomes for the business and advising/supporting the directors with their regulatory goals.
Act as a project resource to the Executive Team, to drive forward key projects, deliver oversight and analysis as required.
Contribute information, analysis and horizon scanning detail, e.g. on upcoming issues, legislative proposals, change of direction by regulators, market intelligence and best practice, anticipating change and developing appropriate strategies.
Manage the European legal team comprising 4/5 qualified lawyers.
Work closely with the Head of Compliance and Group Data Privacy Officer.
Serve as primary counsel for European operations, providing strategic legal services and advice to mitigate risk and ensure compliance with legal requirements.
Engage with and oversee external legal service providers efficiently, maximizing value to the business.
Responsible for Company Secretarial Compliance
Attract, develop, direct, motivate and drive the performance of the Legal Team.
Provide strong relationship management and client satisfaction.-
Provide high quality advice and support for mergers and acquisitions.
Work closely with the US parent company to meet regular reporting and governance requirements and provide support for Group projects.
Identify synergies and shared projects across the Group which will simplify work systems, improve efficiency, and increase opportunities for cost savings.

KEY TASKS
Legal
Commercial transactions and contracts.
Corporate law advice: advising on transactional and M&A work.
Regulatory advice: advising on legal, regulatory and competition policy issues.
Procurement/contracting support: overseeing the drafting and negotiation of risk-adjusted contracts to support all key supplier relationships – working closely with the procurement team.
Litigation/dispute management: legal advice to support optimal outcome of litigation/regulatory disputes, including sourcing of fit for purpose legal advice to defend court claims in each European jurisdiction and the provision of related policy advice.
Marketing advice: advise business on compliance with both regulatory obligations in relation to marketing and advertising and also in relation to brand licence terms.
Intellectual property advice – including managing external trademark agents.
Managing and interfacing with outside legal counsel where appropriate, including management of the Group legal budget
​​Regulatory
Advise on regulatory frameworks and support effective engagement with the Company’s compliance team and regulators.

Essential Criteria:
1. Highly experienced, (UK qualified) corporate lawyer accustomed to solving complex legal problems in a commercially focused manner.
2. A proven track record of delivering high quality legal advice for circa 10 plus years; combination of in-house and law firm work preferred.
3. Strong relationship-building ability with peers at the most senior level within the Company.
4. Proven technical legal skills including experience in corporate issues, commercial contracts, M & A work, and regulatory matters, such as FSA/HSE prosecutions.
5. Advanced negotiation skills, able to work effectively to objectives and manage negotiations with a wide range of stakeholders.
6. A person of integrity and strength of character with the highest ethical standards.
7. Capable of effectively handling and prioritising multiple complex issues.
8. Effective people manager with the ability to build and maintain a strong team ethic. Focused on developing and nurturing the abilities of the team.
9. Flexibility to travel as required to meet the demands of the role across the UK and Europe.