Associate Legal Counsel - Commercial/Corporate

Pets at Home is the UK’s leading pet care business, providing pets and their owners with the very best advice, products and care. The Group also operates a leading small animal veterinary business, with over 440 veterinary general practices located both in our pet care centres and in standalone locations.

Our business is fast-paced, innovative and fun and it's our people that make the real difference.

This role represents a fantastic opportunity to come and work for an award-winning company, who put people at the very heart of everything they do.

About the Role

Joining our team as an Associate Legal Counsel, you will provide legal support and advice to our Veterinary business, including key support to our internal stakeholders. You will work closely with the other members of our friendly and welcoming Legal team and report directly to the Head of Legal (Vets) & Deputy Company Secretary.

This is a unique opportunity to undertake quality corporate work in a supportive in-house environment. We can offer hybrid working (two office days per week) from our Support Office in Handforth, Cheshire.

About our Vet Business

Partnership is at the heart of everything that we do. It's our greatest strength. Our partnership model allows Vets, Nurses and Practice Managers the opportunity to take the next step into being a business owner, by becoming a Practice Owner. Our vet network currently extends to over 400 separate practices; the opportunity to work with and support our clinical partners will be the core focus of your role.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the Head of Legal (Vets) & Deputy Company Secretary with a range of legal advice for key stakeholders across our vet business
• Corporate joint venture work in establishing and selling our joint venture vet practices including transaction management, drafting and negotiation of transaction documents, and completion processes
• Advising on the terms of existing and future joint venture and associated corporate documentation
• Advising on the terms of financing documents connected to joint ventures and practice extensions, including review of banking documents prepared by existing group lenders
• Providing support and advice on queries impacting our joint venture vet practices
• Drafting, reviewing, and evaluating internal policies and legal documents as necessary
• Organising, updating, and delivering legal and compliance training for colleagues, including monitoring legal and regulatory developments
• Supporting corporate governance matters, including board approvals, corporate filings and company secretarial requirements
• Providing legal support on commercial contracts and supplier agreements as part of a wider in-house role, as required

About You

• A degree in law (UK qualification preferred) with 1-4 years PQE in a law firm or in-house
• Experience of providing general commercial and corporate advice, including knowledge of M&A processes and competency drafting corporate documentation
• Good communication skills and confidence to engage with stakeholders across the business
• Problem solving and analytical skills
• Project management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple transactions simultaneously
• Attention to detail and a commercially pragmatic attitude
• The ability to work independently (with appropriate supervision), with respect for reporting procedures
• The ability to draft legal documents/summaries/emails in a concise and thorough manner and in plain language
• Capable of responding efficiently to routine legal questions or issues
• The ability to identify and analyse core legal issues
• Stays on top of regulatory changes and key case law
• A desire to develop your legal and business skills and possess a proactive “can do” attitude
• Comfortable working both collaboratively and independently within a hybrid working environment
• Proficiency in MS Office and a good command of IT skills

By joining our team, you will have the opportunity to take on an exciting and challenging role and grow your career in a supportive and dynamic environment.

Pets just see people. They aren’t biased and they don’t discriminate. We take our inspiration from pets, and we value and respect difference in all its forms. Our aim is to reflect the diversity of the communities we operate in, and every colleague can help us achieve this. We encourage our people to be themselves so even if your skills and experience don’t perfectly align, if you think you can make a unique contribution through your values and behaviours, we want to hear from you!

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