Legal Counsel

About us

Ocado is a technology-led, global software and robotics platform providing a unique end-to-end solution for customers on a global scale. As part of growing the Ocado business, we have recently announced a new mission Ocado Intelligence Automation (OIA) to sell our unique ASRS (Automated Storage and Retrieval System) product to organisations operating outside of grocery e-commerce across the globe.

About the role

As a  Legal Counsel at Ocado Group, you will be accountable for providing legal advice on commercial and transactional matters, both in the UK and internationally and will supervise junior members of the team (trainee and paralegal level).

Reporting to the Senior Legal Counsel, you'll play a pivotal role in our team, bringing a collaborative spirit and a proactive attitude. You'll thrive in our fast-paced environment, driving the growth of the business and seizing opportunities to make a real impact.

If you’re ready to take your legal career to the next level with Ocado Group, and you're passionate about AI and a career in technology, then please read on and apply!

Please Note: We offer a hybrid work environment, requiring at least two days in the office each week. This position is located at our Head Office in Trident Place, Hatfield.

What you will be doing

• Working collaboratively with stakeholders across the business
• Drafting, negotiating and providing expert advice on new and existing Ocado Solution Platform and Ocado Intelligent Automation contracts
• Drafting, negotiating and providing expert advice on a wide range of domestic and cross border general commercial work in respect of technology and software including:
• technology and hardware procurement arrangements including supply and/or manufacture agreements
• IT procurement including appointment of cloud service providers, SaaS and IT licences
• IP matters including collaboration agreements, licensing and cross-licensing
• data protection matters including data protection agreements and advice, and
• logistics and distribution agreements
• Ensuring compliance with corporate governance (including competition/antitrust policies) as part of any negotiations
• Helping to anticipate, identify and support on disputes, construction/property, employment, corporate and financing issues in the context of commercial contracts and working collaboratively with the Disputes, Employment, Construction and Corporate Legal team on relevant matters
• Anticipating, identifying and advising on IP, competition and data protection issues in the context of commercial contracts and working collaboratively with the Compliance and Regulatory team on relevant matters
• Demonstrates a pragmatic and customer focussed approach to risk management
• Liaising and managing external counsel effectively from a delivery, risk and cost perspective on a daily basis
• Contributing to the development of the legal team’s strategy and proactively maintain and raising the profile of the  team by developing and taking forward team initiatives/objectives
• Developing and providing training and legal updates to the business on various areas of the law and regulatory matters; and 
• Developing Ocado standard contract templates

About You

• Minimum of 3 years post-qualification as a commercial or technology lawyer. Candidates outside this range who demonstrate their ability to perform the role are welcome.
• Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor/Barrister specialising in commercial and technology contracts. Ideally trained with a leading law firm or in-house team.
• Expertise: Experience advising on commercial and technology law internationally, with a desire to expand this expertise. Strong IP and data protection knowledge.
• Skills: Experience of domestic and cross border transactional drafting, negotiating, and advising on a wide variety of commercial contracts in respect of technology investments, engineering and IT procurement, design, manufacture, supply and licensing including master service agreements, collaboration agreements, general terms and conditions, SaaS subscription agreements, logistics & distribution agreements and e-commerce agreements

What we offer you

Our employee benefits are designed for you, we care about people and we’ve ensured we have a wealth of benefits that focus on your well-being. We regularly review our benefits to ensure we are supporting our employees appropriately.

• 30 days ‘working from anywhere in the world’ policy 
• Wellbeing support through dedicated apps and an Employee Assistance Programme 
• 25 days annual leave, rising to 27 days after 5 years service (plus optional holiday purchase)
• Pension scheme (various options available including employer contribution matching up to 7%)
• Generous Private Medical Insurance (within the first month of joining!)
• Income Protection (can be up to 50% of salary for 3 years) and Life Assurance (3 x annual salary) 
• 22 weeks paid maternity leave and 6 weeks paid paternity leave (once relevant service requirements complete) 
• Train Ticket loan (interest-free)
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Free shuttle bus to and from Hatfield Train Station to the Hatfield offices 
• Free shuttle bus to and from Welwyn Garden City Train Station to the Welwyn Garden City offices
• Opportunity to participate in Sharesave and Buy as You Earn share schemes
• 15% discount on Ocado.com and free delivery for all employees (within the first month of joining!