Legal Counsel - Regulatory and Government Affairs

Location: London, United Kingdom

Department: Finance & Legal

Team: Business & Operations

About the Role

Wayfair is seeking a Legal Counsel specializing in Regulatory and Government Affairs to join its Finance & Legal team in London. This role focuses on navigating complex UK and EU regulations critical to Wayfair's e-commerce operations, including supply chain logistics, warehouse compliance, and international trade policies. The position requires NQ to 3 years PQE, with responsibilities centered on advising operations teams, monitoring legislative changes affecting distribution networks, and supporting strategic government engagements to ensure seamless logistics scalability across Europe. Reporting to senior legal leadership, the counsel will collaborate closely with warehouse, logistics, and supply chain departments to mitigate regulatory risks, draft compliance frameworks for fulfillment centers, and advocate for policies that enhance operational efficiency. This is an office-centric role (Monday-Thursday in EC1V 7LQ, Friday remote) ideal for a motivated lawyer passionate about the intersection of law and logistics in a fast-paced retail environment. Wayfair offers competitive benefits tailored to support professional growth and work-life balance, positioning this as a key opportunity to impact the company's European expansion amid evolving regulatory landscapes for online retail and last-mile delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on UK regulatory compliance for Wayfair's supply chain operations
• Monitor and analyze government policies impacting logistics and warehouse activities
• Support government affairs strategy for international trade and customs
• Draft and review contracts related to regulatory approvals for distribution centers
• Advise on data protection in logistics operations
• Collaborate with operations teams on risk assessments for warehouse regulations
• Liaise with regulatory bodies on behalf of Wayfair's UK presence
• Assist in policy advocacy for e-commerce logistics reforms

Required Qualifications

• Newly Qualified (NQ) Solicitor or Barrister
• 0-3 years PQE in regulatory or government affairs law
• Qualified to practice law in the United Kingdom
• Experience advising on UK regulatory compliance
• Strong understanding of government affairs and policy
• Ability to handle cross-border legal issues
• Excellent academic background in law

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in e-commerce or retail regulatory matters
• Knowledge of EU/UK trade and logistics regulations
• Prior in-house counsel experience
• French or German language skills

Required Skills

• Regulatory law expertise
• Government affairs knowledge
• Legal research and analysis
• Contract drafting and negotiation
• Stakeholder management
• Risk assessment
• Policy analysis
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Attention to detail
• Communication skills
• Problem-solving
• Time management
• Adaptability
• UK legal framework proficiency

Benefits

• Wayfair Employee Discount
• Private Medical & Dental Care
• Work from anywhere up to 15 Days per Year
• Gym Membership
• Tuition Reimbursement
• 25 Days Starting Holiday + Bank Holidays (tenure increases)
• Company Matched Pension
• Cycle to Work Scheme

Wayfair is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.