Balenciaga Commercial Legal Manager

About Balenciaga

Founded by Cristóbal Balenciaga in 1917 and part of Kering, Balenciaga is one of fashion’s most influential houses, renowned for architectural cut, uncompromising craft, and a continual redefinition of modern luxury. As an employer, the House offers a demanding yet inspiring environment where heritage ateliers, bold creative vision, and global business expertise meet. Teams across design, product development, merchandising, retail, client engagement, communications, and corporate functions are encouraged to combine precision with experimentation, agility with excellence. Balenciaga seeks individuals who are culturally aware, rigorous, collaborative, and ready to contribute to a maison that shapes the conversation of contemporary fashion while respecting the discipline of couture.

Role & Responsibilities

• Draft, negotiate, and manage commercial contracts across procurement, IT infrastructure, e-commerce, marketing, and sustainability initiatives
• Deploy, update, and oversee collection acquisition agreements while training relevant teams on contract standards and compliance
• Establish and secure distribution contracts for retail and wholesale networks, including franchise agreements, selectivity clauses, and commercial terms; monitor and protect the wholesale distribution channel
• Provide legal support for international activities and export operations, ensuring regulatory compliance, customs protocols, and new product launches
• Manage consumer law documentation for e-commerce sites and special sales (terms of service, privacy policies, competition rules, legal notices)
• Handle consumer complaints, pre-litigation matters, and judicial requests at the European level
• Provide strategic legal support to major organizational transformation projects, including activity transfers and new product launches
• Manage and negotiate intragroup contracts and consolidate general terms and conditions across the Kering group
• Lead digital transformation initiatives within the Legal Department, including contract lifecycle management (CLM) deployment and AI-related projects
• Monitor regulatory developments and advise operational teams on emerging regulations (AGEC, ESPR, EUDR, GPSR, PFAS) affecting product compliance and sustainability
• Serve as Privacy Legal Ambassador, deploying and maintaining the privacy program across retail, e-commerce, customer service, HR, and support functions
• Coordinate internal stakeholders during personal data subject requests (DSR) and data security incidents
• Manage pre-litigation and litigation matters in commercial and consumer law, coordinating with internal teams and external counsel
• Mentor and develop junior legal counsel; provide guidance and support to ensure their professional growth

Qualifications

• Minimum 7–8 years of professional experience in commercial law, acquired in the retail sector or law practice
• Fluent English (written and oral)
• Strong knowledge of commercial contract law, procurement, distribution law, and consumer law
• Experience in luxury and creative industries (preferred)
• Proven ability to manage complex cross-functional projects and coordinate with multiple stakeholders
• Knowledge of data protection law and privacy compliance (GDPR, CCPA)
• Understanding of regulatory frameworks relevant to product compliance and sustainability
• Team leadership and people development experience
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with practical, solution-oriented approaches

Skills

Experience

Minimum 7–8 years of commercial law experience, preferably in the retail sector or within a law practice. Exposure to luxury and creative industries is a plus. Demonstrated ability to manage complex contractual relationships, lead regulatory compliance initiatives, and support organizational transformation projects.

Education

Law degree (Master's in Law or equivalent qualification required); additional qualifications in commercial law, business law, or related disciplines are preferred.

Workplace

Culture

Balenciaga fosters a bold, forward-thinking workplace where creativity, experimentation, and cultural awareness drive the evolution of contemporary luxury. As an employer, the House encourages collaboration across disciplines, empowering teams to challenge convention while upholding exceptional standards of craftsmanship, precision, and brand integrity.

About Cerulean

Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.