Head of Legal

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the legal function, setting priorities and ensuring the team provides timely, practical and commercially focused advice.
• Advise the CFO, Board and senior management on material legal risks, transactions and business decisions.
• Develop and manage the legal team, including the Senior Legal Counsel and Paralegal, providing appropriate supervision and opportunities for development.
• Establish clear processes for legal review, approval and escalation.
• Manage the legal budget and external advisers, ensuring appropriate expertise, service and value.
• Build effective relationships with colleagues across Finance, Property, Buying, Operations, People, IT and Marketing.

• Oversee legal support for the store portfolio, including acquisitions, leases, renewals, relocations, disposals and closures.
• Lead negotiations on significant or complex property transactions.
• Advise on material landlord and tenant issues, including break rights, repairing obligations, service charges and dilapidations.
• Oversee property disputes and work with the Property team and external advisers to achieve practical outcomes.
• Ensure appropriate systems are maintained for monitoring property obligations and critical dates.

• Lead the negotiation of significant commercial agreements, including supplier, logistics, distribution, IT, services and strategic partnership arrangements.
• Advise on contractual risk, liability, indemnities, termination rights and business continuity.
• Oversee the development and use of contract templates, negotiation guidance and approval procedures.
• Support the resolution of material contractual disputes.

• Lead legal support for acquisitions, disposals, group reorganisations and other strategic projects.
• Coordinate legal due diligence and negotiate transaction documents with external advisers where appropriate.
• Advise on corporate governance, directors’ duties and company law matters.
• Oversee company secretarial arrangements, statutory records, filings and corporate approvals.
• Support financing arrangements, guarantees and security documentation in conjunction with the Finance team.

• Oversee legal advice on consumer protection, advertising, data protection, intellectual property and other regulatory matters relevant to the business.
• Work with the People Team on significant employment matters and disputes.
• Support international operations and expansion, coordinating local legal advice where required.
• Monitor relevant legal developments and translate them into practical actions for the business.
• Develop proportionate legal policies and training, working with relevant business functions to support compliance.

• Oversee material litigation, regulatory investigations and other contentious matters.
• Advise on dispute strategy, settlement options and potential financial or operational exposure.
• Ensure significant legal risks are identified, communicated and escalated appropriately.
• Coordinate legal support for urgent incidents and sensitive business matters.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Qualified solicitor in England and Wales with substantial post-qualification experience appropriate to a Head of Legal role.
• Strong experience in commercial contracts and commercial property.
• Experience advising senior management on complex legal and commercial issues.
• A sound understanding of corporate transactions, governance and legal risk management.
• Experience leading or supervising lawyers and managing external advisers.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and communication skills.
• Ability to exercise independent judgement, explain risks clearly and recommend practical solutions.
• Confidence balancing strategic responsibilities with hands-on legal work.

• Previous experience as Head of Legal, Deputy Head of Legal or in a senior in-house legal role.
• Experience within retail or a business with a substantial leasehold property portfolio.
• Experience supporting international operations and coordinating advisers across jurisdictions.
• Experience of acquisitions, business integration and financing transactions.

Job Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Hybrid working, 3 days in London based office & 2 working from home
• Holiday allowance
• 50% staff discount & 25% for family and friends
• Pension scheme

About
At Mountain Group, we’re passionate about helping our customers enjoy the great outdoors. With a focus on sustainability, we design quality products that are made for adventure and built to last, whether it’s for hiking, running, skiing, or just exploring closer to home. As a team, we’re united by our passion for the outdoors, our commitment to exceptional customer service, and our belief in working together to achieve great things.We value individuality and teamwork, believe diversity drives innovation and success, and are committed to building an inclusive and supportive workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered. Whether you’re creating an exceptional in-store experience, driving innovation behind the scenes, or shaping the future of our brand, every role plays a part in bringing Mountain Group to life. If you’re excited about adventure, retail, and making a difference, we’d love to hear from you!