Chanel Legal Counsel

Location
Seniority Mid-Level
Posted Mar 19, 2026
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Chanel seeks a Legal Counsel for Fondation CHANEL in London to advise on governance, contracts and compliance for philanthropic programmes.

Overview

Chanel is an independent global luxury house renowned for its couture, ready‑to‑wear, accessories and beauty divisions. The company sustains a parallel philanthropic presence through Fondation CHANEL, which supports cultural, educational and social initiatives worldwide. As an employer, Chanel combines artisanal craftsmanship with an international corporate structure and a discreet, high‑standards approach to talent and governance.

Role & Responsibilities

  • Provide clear, pragmatic legal advice to Fondation CHANEL on governance, grants, partnerships and programme delivery across multiple jurisdictions.
  • Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of agreements including grant agreements, collaboration contracts, NDAs, sponsorship and service agreements.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable charity, corporate and regulatory regimes, including donor conditions and reporting obligations.
  • Advise on intellectual property, publicity and rights clearance matters arising from funded projects and communications.
  • Manage relationships with external counsel and third‑party advisors; oversee litigation or disputes when required.
  • Contribute to policy development (conflict of interest, data protection, safeguarding) and support board/ trustee meetings with legal briefings and minutes.
  • Identify and mitigate legal and reputational risk across programme activity; support internal stakeholders to structure initiatives lawfully and efficiently.

Qualifications

  • Qualified lawyer (Solicitor of England & Wales or equivalent foreign qualification) with eligibility to practise or prior in‑house counsel accreditation.
  • Deep familiarity with charity/non‑profit law, corporate governance and contract law in the UK and ideally at least one other jurisdiction.
  • Strong drafting and negotiation skills tailored to commercial, IP and grant‑making instruments.
  • Proven ability to translate complex legal issues into concise, business‑focused advice for senior leadership and trustees.

Skills

Contract drafting and negotiation Charity / non‑profit law expertise Corporate governance and board support Intellectual property advisory Regulatory compliance and risk management GDPR / data protection awareness Stakeholder management and external counsel supervision Project management and cross‑functional collaboration

Experience

Typically 5+ years of combined private practice and/or in‑house experience, with demonstrable exposure to charity or cultural sector mandates and multi‑jurisdictional projects.

Education

Law degree (LLB, JD or equivalent) and professional legal qualification (Solicitor, Barrister or equivalent). Post‑graduate or specialised training in charity/non‑profit law is advantageous.

Workplace

This position is based in London, England, UK. Cerulean lists 435 open roles in London, including 17 posted recently. The broader England area accounts for 543 active listings on Cerulean, 18 of which are new. In UK as a whole, Cerulean currently features 570 open positions, with 19 posted this week.

Culture

Chanel balances rigorous professionalism with a deep respect for creativity and heritage; employees operate in a high‑expectation, detail‑driven environment that values discretion and excellence. Fondation CHANEL encourages collaboration across disciplines and prioritises mission‑driven work with international partners.

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.