Apply on JLP Jobs - the official careers website for John Lewis Partnership, John Lewis & Partners, and Waitrose & Partners.
About the role
Reporting to the Head of Legal - Commercial, the John Lewis Partnership is looking for a Senior Commercial and Tech Lawyer to join the team initially on an 18 month fixed term basis.
This is a fast paced role in a busy in-house legal team, dealing with a huge range of commercial and legal issues. Whilst we are looking for someone with tech experience, we work on the basis that our in-house team advises across the breadth of commercial matters and so you will need to be willing to step outside your comfort zone and tackle a myriad of issues. Organisational skills and a self starting mentality are paramount, as the candidate needs to be able to work proactively and independently. They must also be able to work through significant volumes of information to quickly identify key risks and to close issues swiftly, as well as being able to to and prioritise and manage a variable and pressurised workload.
The Partnership is a unique business and it is essential that the candidate has an interest in and the ability to advise within the context of its Constitution and democratic structure.
Dealing with stakeholders of a varying level up to Executive Director, the candidate needs to be highly proficient in building strong relationships and managing stakeholders effectively. Relationships across the legal team are also critical, with a strong relationship needed with other members of the legal team.
At a glance
Working pattern - This is a hybrid working role, therefore your time will primarily be split between working from home and the London Head Office. There will be occasional travel to our other locations
Our team currently works from the office 2-3 days per week and on an ad-hoc basis to collaborate and attend key meetings, but again the frequency is dependent on the business needs
Expected Salary - £94,800 - £110,000 (depending on experience)
Contract type - Fixed term contract for 18 months.
Key Responsibilities
Providing strategic, up to date and pragmatic legal advice as a Business Partner to all divisions of the Partnership
Leading on high value, complex or strategic projects, cases or transactions especially those with a tech focus
Supporting the Heads of Legal in the development, implementation and maintenance of the Legal team strategy and taking ownership of relevant strategic imperatives
Taking a proactive approach in relation to the identification of risk and risk management and guide the Partnership in responding to regulatory and legislative change.
Essential Skills you’ll need
Qualified to practise as a solicitor in the United Kingdom, ideally more than 6 years PQE
Strong experience working in tech and commercial law, including drafting and negotiating a wide variety of commercial contracts
A track record of expertise in tech law and a broad understanding of commercial law and willingness to work across a range of matters
In-house experience at an organisation preferably in a retail, FMCG or a customer facing industry
Experience working in a team but also the ability to work autonomously
Understanding of the commercial world and an ability to deliver advice through a commercial lens
Ability to spot opportunities for continuous improvement with templates and processes, including the ability to develop and deliver training to the business
Ability to interact with and advise senior stakeholders up to and including Executive Directors.
Additional Information
Once you've submitted an application the next steps of the process, if successful, will include a formal interview.
We will commence screening and interviews from w/c 19th January 2026.
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The partnership
We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.
We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.
As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect.
We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective.
As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.
Important points to note:
It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.
We occasionally close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications, and therefore, we recommend you apply early. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability which means you may need longer to complete your application please contact us as soon as possible.
We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.
