Head of Legal

Serving with pride since 1898, Mitchells & Butlers are the heart of UK hospitality. In fact, you already know us, even if you don’t realise it! We own and run more than 1,600 pubs, bars and restaurants including the stylish All Bar One brand, legendary Miller & Carter steakhouses, and the iconic Toby Carvery.

Our headquarters have more than just desk space on offer… we like think of ourselves as the home of hospitality, so it only makes sense that our head office is kitted out to deliver the good times too. There’s a place for everyone here, and although we’re part of a huge organisation benefitting from the infrastructure, stability and support that offers, we’re proud of the close-knit culture we’ve created right here in the heart of Birmingham.

The Opportunity

Working safely is of paramount importance at Mitchells & Butlers. Our legal teams cover health and safety, insurance, security and licensing, food safety and quality assurance. As Head of Legal, you’ll lead a small team of in-house Solicitors. Reporting to the Group General Counsel and Company Secretary, some of your duties will include:

· Taking responsibility for the day-to-day legal function for the Mitchells & Butlers group

· Leading and managing various major compliance programmes (e.g., Modern Slavery, GDPR / data protection)

· Developing, coaching, and supporting colleagues in the legal and licensing teams

· Managing the legal budget and finance responsibility

· Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex / strategic commercial contracts

· Providing strategic support and legal advice to resolve disputes, including managing external counsel in conducting litigation if needed

· Collaborating with external legal suppliers and consultants

·  Representing Mitchells & Butlers in the wider legal community (e.g., the Senior Lawyers Forum / Network, etc.)

You’ll be well rewarded

· Highly competitive salary, plus potential to earn an annual bonus scheme worth up to 30% of your salary. We’re all about rewarding hard work

· Permanent contract with full time hours, and flexible working available to fit work around your personal commitments

·  Working at our headquarters located in the heart of the vibrant city of Birmingham, combined with the opportunity of home working

· 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, plus option to buy up to 2 weeks extra holiday – life is for living after all!

· A pension that pays, where we’ll more than match your contributions (x1.5 of your contributions, up to a maximum of 5% of your salary)

· Life cover worth x6 of your salary, dental plan, and private health care which extends to family cover

· Share incentive plan, plus opportunity to opt in to Share Save Plan, enabling you to save to buy shares or have money returned

· 33% off at all our brands, including our hotels. You’ll also have the added benefit of giving 5 of your nominated friends or family 20% off Monday to Thursday

· Charitable giving, discounted shopping, cycle to work and £1,000 employee referral schemes

What makes Mitchells & Butlers a great place to work?

To us, a career isn’t just about ‘clocking in’. We really care about our colleagues, and we’re an employer that keeps a promise. In fact, as one of the largest employers in the country, with over 44,000 people working for us, we have the responsibility of valuing every contribution from a diverse workforce that are representative of our guests, and who make us stronger.

We couldn’t do what we do without our team and we’re proud to say that our people feel more like friends than colleagues. 60% of the corporate hires we’ve made in the last 12 months have been internal moves or promotions, which means that opportunities like this don’t come up often!

What you’ll need to bring to this Head of Legal role…

·  Senior lawyer with first class technical knowledge, able to balance legal and commercial requirements

· Either have premium regional / city private practice training and / or experience gained in-house at a similar level. Experience gained in a complex FTSE PLC is highly advantageous

· Extensive experience in commercial contracts, corporate transactions, disputes / litigation and associated general regulatory and compliance work

· Quality training background

· Demonstrable ability to lead, manage, and develop legal teams

· Excellent communication, influencing, and analytical skills

·  Based within a commutable distance from our headquarters in Birmingham, or willing / planning to relocate

Although not essential, experience in a multi-site B2C service environment (retail, hospitality, etc.) would be highly advantageous, as would secondment experience gained with a client in-house. Experience/training gained in the top 50 private practice law firms would be preferred.

Could you be a great addition to our team? Apply for this Head of Legal role today and we’ll be in touch to explore how you could be part of our exciting future.