Legal & Business Affairs Manager

Title: Legal & Business Affairs Manager

Division: Head office, Legal & Business Affairs

Reporting to: CFO

Working week: This is a permanent, full time role operating across 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Location: Hybrid working, with a minimum of three days per week in the office, with flexibility on the remainder - based at KOKO Headquarters, Camden, London.

KOKO - The story so far…

London’s iconic KOKO reopened in Spring 2022 after a three-year restoration and redevelopment - a favourite of Prince, Kanye West, Amy Winehouse and Madonna, it relaunched as a state-of-the-art live music venue spanning 50,000 square feet, with ambitions to deliver an unrivalled experience for live music fans and with high spec streaming capabilities integrated throughout. 

The House of KOKO is a new members’ club spanning four floors backstage at KOKO, which gives access to; a stunning new roof terrace and conservatory, dome cocktail bar, penthouse and recording studio, piano room, library, a hidden speakeasy, stage kitchen and secret vinyl rooms. 

Described by Vogue as ‘A totally unique experience’, The BBC as ‘Changing the face of music’’ and The FT as ‘ The arts space for the future’, this is a brilliant opportunity to join one of the most exciting companies on the globe.

Job Summary

KOKO is looking for a commercially minded solicitor or lawyer with around three years’ post-qualification experience, ideally including some in-house experience, to take ownership of the day-to-day legal and business affairs function.

It’s a genuinely varied role, covering everything from talent agreements, venue hire and commercial contracts to property, licensing and data protection. You’ll work closely with the CFO and senior teams, manage external counsel and oversee KOKO’s outsourced paralegal resource, giving you the opportunity to take real ownership while working across the breadth of the business.

We’re looking for someone pragmatic, confident and diligent, who enjoys being close to the business and is comfortable working with a high degree of autonomy. Previous in-house experience is preferred, particularly someone who understands the pace and commercial focus of a fast-moving, creative environment.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping the legal function of one of London’s most distinctive live entertainment and luxury hospitality companies.

Role & Responsibilities

Act as KOKO’s day-to-day legal and business affairs contact, working closely with the CFO and senior leadership, with the opportunity to take ownership of a broad range of legal matters and provide practical, commercially focused advice.

Commercial, IP & Licencing

• Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of commercial and IP agreements, including but not limited to talent and rights, licensing, partnerships, sponsorships, content, property and supplier agreements.
• Manage day-to-day intellectual property matters, including rights clearances, copyright, trademarks and brand protection and support the development and protection of KOKO’s IP portfolio.
• Advise on premises licensing, entertainment Licensing and other regulatory requirements relevant to KOKO’s live entertainment and hospitality businesses.
• Work closely with commercial and operational teams to identify and manage legal and commercial risk, ensuring agreements and arrangements support KOKO’s wider business objectives.

Property & Real Estate

• Support KOKO’s property matters across the UK and internationally, including new sites, leases, renewals and other premises-related projects.
• Review and negotiate property agreements, including commercial leases, licences and related documentation.

Business Affairs & Compliance

• Advise the C-Suite and department heads on legal and business affairs matters arising across the business, providing practical advice that supports commercial decision-making.
• Take responsibility for KOKO’s day-to-day data protection and GDPR compliance, acting as an internal champion for good data governance.
• Work with People & Culture on relevant legal and compliance matters, including policies, processes and internal training.
• Oversee company secretarial matters, including board minutes, statutory filings and Companies House compliance across the group.
• Maintain a clear view of legal and regulatory risk across the business, including the development and maintenance of an appropriate risk register.
• Provide practical legal training and updates to internal teams on relevant legal and regulatory developments.

Legal Operations & External Counsel

• Select, instruct and manage external counsel, including specialist property and employment advisers, ensuring high-quality advice, effective project management and value for money.
• Manage KOKO’s outsourced paralegal resource, briefing and overseeing support on contract drafting, administration and other paralegal-level matters.
• Maintain and develop KOKO’s contracts database and rights tracker, ensuring key contractual obligations, renewal dates and other deadlines are effectively managed.

About you

• A qualified solicitor or lawyer with around three years’ post-qualification experience, ideally including some in-house experience. We’re also open to candidates with strong relevant commercial experience gained in private practice or directly within industry.
• A commercially minded generalist who enjoys working across a varied legal remit and is confident managing matters with a high degree of autonomy.
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills, with solid experience across commercial contracts. Experience of, or an interest in, property and lease matters is advantageous.
• Experience in music, entertainment, hospitality or venue licensing is a plus, particularly exposure to rights, licensing or talent agreements.
• Confident working with senior stakeholders, with the judgement to identify when matters require escalation or specialist external advice.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage a varied workload, coordinate external counsel and oversee outsourced paralegal support.
• Strong commercial judgement and attention to detail, with a pragmatic approach to managing legal risk while enabling the business to move forward.
• A genuine interest in live music, culture and entertainment, with an appreciation for KOKO’s brand and values, alongside a high level of discretion and confidentiality.

We are currently only able to consider candidates with the Right to Work in the UK