Legal & Business Affairs Manager

Job Summary

KOKO is looking for a commercially minded legal professional with relevant in-house legal or business affairs experience, gained as a paralegal, solicitor or lawyer, to take ownership of the day-to-day legal and business affairs function. It is a varied role, covering talent agreements, venue hire and commercial contracts as well as property, licensing and data protection. You work closely with the CFO and senior teams, manage external counsel and oversee KOKO’s outsourced paralegal resource.

This is an opportunity to shape the legal function of one of London’s most distinctive live entertainment and luxury hospitality companies. The role reports to the CFO and is permanent and full time (40 hours per week, Monday to Friday), with hybrid working (minimum three days per week in the office at KOKO Headquarters, Camden).

Commercial, IP & Licensing

• Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of commercial and IP agreements, including 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.

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.
• Advise on day-to-day property matters and liaise with operational teams on premises-related queries.
• Work with external property solicitors and surveyors on more complex transactions and negotiations.
• Maintain oversight of key property dates, obligations and renewals across KOKO’s portfolio.

Business Affairs & Compliance

• Advise the C-Suite and department heads on legal and business affairs matters arising across the business.
• Take responsibility for 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, including a risk register.
• Provide practical legal training and updates to internal teams.

Legal Operations & External Counsel

• Select, instruct and manage external counsel, including specialist property and employment advisers.
• Manage KOKO’s outsourced paralegal resource, overseeing contract drafting, administration and other paralegal-level matters.
• Maintain and develop KOKO’s contracts database and rights tracker, ensuring key obligations, renewal dates and deadlines are managed.
• Liaise with insurance brokers on policy renewals and claims.
• Support corporate transactions, due diligence and new business development as KOKO continues to expand in the UK and internationally.

About You

• Relevant in-house legal or business affairs experience gained as a paralegal, solicitor or lawyer, across a broad range of commercial and day-to-day legal matters
• A commercially minded generalist, confident managing matters with a high degree of autonomy while knowing when to seek specialist advice
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills, with solid experience across commercial contracts; experience of 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 need escalation
• Highly organised, able to manage a varied workload and coordinate external counsel and outsourced paralegal support
• Strong commercial judgement and attention to detail, with a pragmatic approach to legal risk
• A genuine interest in live music, culture and entertainment, with a high level of discretion and confidentiality

Important Notice

• Only candidates with the right to work in the UK can be considered.