Legal Counsel – Global Trade & Logistics Organisation

Hiring Alert: Legal Counsel – Global Trade & Logistics Organisation Essex | Hybrid working - (Primary office-based role with flexibility, including occasional London working) I’m working with a large, internationally operating trade and logistics business to recruit a Legal Counsel as they expand their UK legal team. This is a broad, hands-on in-house role supporting complex UK operations within a fast-moving, asset-heavy environment. The role offers genuine autonomy, close exposure to senior stakeholders, and the opportunity to play a key role in the legal support of critical infrastructure and logistics operations. The Role Reporting into senior legal leadership, you’ll act as a trusted legal partner to the business, providing commercial, pragmatic advice across a wide-ranging portfolio of work. Key responsibilities will include: • Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a broad range of commercial agreements, including logistics, procurement, technology/SaaS, property, construction, and services contracts. • Advising on legal risk, contractual frameworks, and regulatory obligations across operational and corporate functions. • Supporting significant procurement and tender processes, including those with public-sector or regulated elements. • Advising on projects involving operational change, TUPE considerations, and risk allocation. • Supporting UK GDPR and data protection matters, including data processing agreements, DPIAs, and governance forums. • Managing and instructing external legal advisers, ensuring quality, consistency, and cost control. • Attending management and project meetings, contributing legal insight to both strategic and day-to-day decision-making. • Monitoring legal and regulatory developments and delivering clear, practical guidance to stakeholders. About You • Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) with around 4–6 years’ PQE (flexible depending on experience). • Strong background in general commercial contracting, gained either in-house or within private practice. • Comfortable operating in operational, infrastructure-led, or regulated environments. • Commercially minded, pragmatic, and confident advising senior non-legal stakeholders. • Able to work autonomously while collaborating effectively across the business. • Exposure to sectors such as logistics, transport, ports, infrastructure, construction, energy, or technology would be advantageous but is not essential. Why This Role? This is an opportunity to join a high-performing in-house legal team within a globally connected organisation operating at the heart of international trade and logistics. The role offers meaningful responsibility, strong visibility within the business, and the chance to make a tangible impact beyond pure contract support. Interested? For a confidential discussion, please send your CV or LinkedIn profile to Sophie Clarke – Reed (Norwich) or call