Full job description We are seeking an experienced and strategic Legal Counsel Director to lead and oversee our National Legal and Compliance function. This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for ensuring robust governance, effective risk management, and regulatory compliance across the organisation.
As a trusted advisor to the senior leadership team, you will provide expert legal and compliance guidance that supports commercial objectives, enables sustainable growth, and protects the organisation’s interests. You will play a key role in shaping and implementing legal and compliance strategies, translating business priorities into practical, commercially focused solutions.
You will champion a culture of integrity, ethics, and accountability, ensuring compliance is embedded throughout the business while safeguarding our reputation and promoting best practice. In addition, you will lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing Legal and Compliance team, driving exceptional service delivery, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
If you’re always striving to improve and want to join a really important part of the business, apply to join #TeamAldi today!
Your New Role
*Provide strategic legal and compliance counsel to executive leaders and key stakeholders across the business.
*Lead the management of legal risk, identifying proactive and commercially focused solutions to support operational and strategic objectives.
*Oversee the delivery and continuous improvement of legal and compliance programmes, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and business needs.
*Develop and implement policies, processes and best practices that strengthen governance and compliance standards.
*Monitor legislative and regulatory developments, advising business leaders on emerging risks, opportunities and required actions.
*Lead compliance risk assessments, investigations and monitoring activities, ensuring appropriate controls and accountability are in place.
*Manage whistleblowing and other compliance reporting processes, ensuring matters are handled effectively and confidentially.
*Build and maintain strong relationships with external legal advisors and other key stakeholders, ensuring efficient and cost-effective support where required.
*Collaborate with international legal and compliance colleagues, sharing best practice and supporting cross-functional initiatives.
*Represent the Legal and Compliance function in senior leadership forums and contribute to organisational decision-making.
*Lead, coach and develop team members, fostering a culture of high performance, collaboration and professional growth.
*Early identification of legal risks and managing these appropriately (e.g. new laws, litigation trends or business model changes resulting in new legal risk profiles).
*Active management of external counsel, incl. deciding on the involvement and exact scope of work outsourced, challenging advice, challenging scopes and risk calls to challenging fee arrangements.
*Contract template creation (or overview if outsourced), contract review and advice.
*Corporate law matters, incl. corporate housekeeping.
*Advice on existing and new regulations and respective implementation.
*Advice on legal questions related to product safety (recalls, labelling, etc.).
*Advice on consumer protection matters incl. pricing strategies and communication/advertising.
*Advice on claims (green claims).
*Steering advice or providing advice on IP infringement allegations raised by third parties.
*Managing litigation by or against ALDI.
*Legal counterpart for global legal on implementation of centrally steered projects, policies, programs, contracting/templates, etc.
*Holds the National Compliance Officer role, which entails specific responsibilities, including to report defined matters to the national CEO and/or the Group Compliance Officer directly.
About You
*Qualified solicitor of England and Wales holding a current, valid SRA practising certificate.
*Legal generalist with strong professional skills and expertise in compliance.
*Experience advising on consumer protection legislation, pricing strategies, marketing communications, and advertising compliance.
*Demonstrable experience advising on environmental and sustainability claims, including the assessment and management of "green claims" risk.
*Experience managing intellectual property matters, including responding to and resolving third-party infringement allegations.
*Proven track record of managing litigation and dispute resolution matters, including coordinating legal strategy and stakeholder engagement.
*Experience supporting the implementation of group-wide legal policies, programmes, projects, and contractual frameworks in partnership with international or central legal functions.
*Ability to provide commercially pragmatic legal advice to senior stakeholders, balancing legal risk with business objectives.
*Knows how to navigate an organisational matrix and works collaboratively within country and on global level.
*Strong interpersonal skills, ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
*Able to work independently, "hands-on" and proactively with high intrinsic motivation.
*Convinces with sound business-oriented solutions and takes clear and pragmatic positions whilst ensuring integrity.
*Understands the overarching company strategy while communicating and modelling the core values of the organisation to create a sense of teamwork and membership among employees.
What You’ll get in Return
*Competitive salary
*Permanent contract
*Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, with the opportunity of 2 days remote working
*6 weeks’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays
*In office flexi-time
*Full training provided
*Pension scheme
*Private employee medical insurance
*Company sick pay scheme <