Senior Legal Counsel

Job Description

At HX our purpose istoawaken people to the beautyand fragilityof the planet, with adventure that reignitesasenseofwonder.Wetakecurioustravellerstoincredibledestinations,sustainablyin true expedition-style with science and education at the heart of every journey. We bring them off the beaten track, to special destinations across the Arctic, Antarctic, Galapagos, British Isles, Alaska, Northern Norway, and Central / South America.

The Senior Legal Counsel is an in-house senior legal position partnering with senior leaders to provide legal, governance and compliance support across a global expedition travel organisation operating across land and sea. Reporting to the SVP, Legal and General Counsel, you will be joining a dynamic team of experienced legal and risk specialists supporting a fast-paced global business in the travel sector where you will have or develop a deep knowledge of the sector and our business. This position requires a seasoned professional with 6+ years appropriate post-qualification legal experience, with at least 2 years gained in-house with a consumer brand business, ideally in the travel, hospitality or leisure sectors, who possesses an Explorer spirit, ready to get stuck in and work both independently and collaboratively to deliver practical solutions, navigate challenges and create value.

At HX, we are a passionate team who deliver our global operations from every corner of the world and our people are instrumental in continuing to inspire this adventure, play their part and deliver on our promise of guest centric and memorable experiences, benefiting the communities we visit, enriching our guests and inspiring a more sustainable world – to change the way they see the world.

Key Responsibilities:

General

• Providing effective support and advice as part of a closely connected team delivering across four integrated areas of Legal, Governance, Compliance and Risk.
• Supporting the General Counsel across all aspects with particular areas of focus to ensure coverage and support for the Business. Assume responsibility and leadership in support of the General Counsel as required.
• Working collaboratively across the Business on a broad range of matters to deliver value, drive efficiencies, manage risk and navigate challenges.
• Supporting delivery of key business strategic projects.
• Focused on the fifth dimension of Legal Operations, helping drive legal delivery strategies and operational efficiencies within budget.

Legal

• Supporting our Operations colleagues deliver extraordinary guest experiences at sea and on shore, both directly and via commercial partners, including:
  • Operational activities, structures and relationships.
  • Drafting and negotiating a wide variety of commercial agreements, partnering with Operations and Procurement functions.
  • Developing and maintaining self-service legal and contracting tools including HX form documents and guidance.
  • •Implement and manage contract lifecycle management.

• Guest affairs support including irregular operations and guest relations matters.
• Supporting Commercial teams in areas including:
  • Sales & Marketing with sales, pricing / offer compliance, marketing, B2B contracting and relationships and customer loyalty matters.
  • Brand and IP management.
• General advice and support on employment and human resource matters.
• Supporting Corporate Communications in managing external communication and relations.
• Assets management including Marine contracts, IP, Brand and property.
• Assist with strategic projects including refinancing, capital raising and business reorganisation.
• Managing disputes, investigations (both internal and external) and other contentious challenges including strategies for resolution and settlement.

Governance

• Helping to deliver significant governance and cultural transformation, including developing and implementing appropriate governance structures, rhythms, owner relations, compliance policies and initiatives.
• Company secretariate delivery for HX Group entities.
• Enhance the Business Decision making and Authority matrix and drive implementation.
• Policies management and audit process implementation and refinement.

Compliance & Risk

• Ensuring compliance with our values, legal and ethical standards.
• Manage Corporate Compliance culture, awareness and rhythm through shared leadership of Policy Committee.
• Operational Compliance management including consumer protection (ABTA, ATOL), IATA, ASA, Trade organizations (AECO, IAATO), Alcohol licensing.
• Collaboration with Marine Operational Compliance team.
• Assisting with managing Ethics Compliance & Reporting and associated investigations.
• Manage risk registers, implement policies, controls, audit and follow ups.
• Active participation in our Crisis Management organisation.

Legal Operations

• Support General Counsel in managing internal and external legal resources and service delivery to internal partners.
• Developing and maintaining legal tools, resources and knowhow to drive efficiencies.
• Utilisation of external legal tools, platforms with enhanced focus on leveraging AI.
• Budget management.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Thinks sustainably and brings this mindset to their team and partners.
• Champions the HX Spirits.

Key Interfaces for Collaboration

• Collaborating with key partners throughout the Business, including:
  • Operations – Marine, Hotel and Expedition Teams, including the specialist Irregular Operations group.
  • Commercial – Sales & Marketing, Revenue Management, Product and our Creative Studio.
  • Communications and Public Affairs
  • Guest Excellence (GX) Service Centre – responsible for our guest relations.
  • Finance (including Accounting, Treasury and Tax) and People & Culture.
• Well defined collaborations with other functions that share Governance, Compliance or Risk responsibilities, including Finance, Tax, Treasury, People, Procurement, IT and Marine Operational Compliance.