Legal Counsel (Property)

We are EssilorLuxottica, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of ophthalmic lenses, frames and sunglasses. Formed in 2018 by the combination of Essilor and Luxottica, our Company combines two centuries of innovation and human endeavour to elevate vision care and the consumer experience around it. We are home to the most loved and widely-recognized vision care and eyewear brands in the world. Our proprietary eyewear brands include Ray-Ban, Oakley, Costa, Vogue Eyewear, Persol and Oliver Peoples, complemented by over 20 prestigious licensed brands. Our advanced lens technologies include Varilux, Crizal, Eyezen, Stellest and Transitions. We offer superior shopping and patient experiences with a network of 18,000 stores including world-class retail brands like Sunglass Hut, LensCrafters, Salmoiraghi & Viganò and GrandVision. Every day, EssilorLuxottica’s 180,000 employees in 150 countries work towards a common mission to help people see more and be more. 

In Australia and New Zealand, we operate the iconic retail and eye care brands: Sunglass Hut, OPSM, Ray-ban and Laubman & Pank.

The in house legal team is responsible for managing the legal operational matters and risks in the EssilorLuxottica business across both retail and wholesale operations in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ Group).

This role will be primarily involved in the oversight of all property operations and risks across the ANZ Group, with a primary focus on commercial retail leasing to support the ANZ Group’s large retail and commercial property portfolio of over 700 sites for retail brands like Sunglass Hut, OPSM, Ray-Ban, Oakley and many more.

We are seeking a lawyer who can be a business partner, capable of carefully balancing law with risk, bringing pragmatism, a commercial approach and a solution focus, all whilst operating in a fast paced environment.

Requirements for Success

· Provide strategic advice and guidance to the Property and Leasing teams on leasing negotiations, renewals, and compliance with relevant legislation.

· Review, draft, and negotiate a wide range of contracts, with a particular focus on property, leasing, construction/fit out agreements and business tenders for wholesale suppliers.

· Manage property-related disputes, litigation, and negotiations efficiently, including customer or tenant complaints and settlements.

· Be adept at managing a large portfolio with multiple landlords and stakeholders, including maintaining and updating tracking documents for stakeholders.

· Support the simplification of organisational structures, including the transfer of property assets and liabilities, and the winding up of companies. Review potential acquisitions in light of FIRB/OIO requirements.

· Assist with risk and insurance matters, including those related to property holdings.

· Advise on general commercial legal matters and risks.

· Foster strong collaboration with the Property, Leasing, and Development teams, as well as the wider business, across ANZ and globally.

· Liaise with our global legal team on property-related initiatives and other legal projects.

· Develop contract templates, playbooks, and streamlined processes to improve property and leasing operations.

· Design and deliver training for the business to ensure compliance with the law (e.g., Privacy, ACL, Employment Law) and to protect property and other business assets.

· Supporting the franchise network as required, including with extensions, buybacks, disputes, as well as any other commercial legal needs the franchising team may have.

· Manage and coordinate external legal advisers, including control of spend on property and leasing matters.

· Champion good governance and follow global / local requirements, including developing tools, processes, and documents for grants of authority across all entities.

· Keep up to speed and upskill others on developments in property, leasing, and other relevant legal/regulatory environments.

Skills & Experience

· Law Degree - minimum Bachelor level.

· Admitted as a Legal Practitioner in Australia, with an unrestricted practicing certificate.

· Minimum 5 years post qualification experience within a highly reputable Australian firm. A secondment or in- house experience will viewed favourably.

· Leasing and property law experience required, including an in depth understanding of the Australian retail leasing acts and the related NZ standards.

· Exposure to or understanding of FMCG/retail companies and retail leasing experience will be an advantage.

· Broad commercial and consumer law experience in addition to property knowledge will be viewed favourably.

· Experience in franchising matters will be viewed favourably.

· Experience in handling a large number of smaller matters rather a smaller number of large matters. Ability to manage a busy workload with confidence.

· Highly technical with excellent drafting skills.

· Experience with, or a desire to utilise technology to be work smarter and more efficiently.

· Commercial and strategic thinker - able to balance risk and return, be pragmatic, pro-active and solution focused.

· Outstanding interpersonal skills and sharp business acumen.

· Strong communicator, responsive and able to translate complex information clearly / concisely for business stakeholders and partners.

· Takes initiative and works independently with minimal supervision

· Prioritises and manages expectations, deadlines and delivers on time. Works well in fast-paced, demanding and dynamic environment

As an inclusive, team-first company, our people are at the core of everything we do. 

A unique brand portfolio that includes proprietary brands such as Ray-Ban, Oakley, Vogue Eyewear, Persol, Oliver Peoples and prestigious licensed brands such as Giorgio Armani, Burberry, Bulgari, Chanel, Valentino and Versace is among EssilorLuxottica's core strengths.

We care deeply about creating a workplace where our team members feel valued, respected and empowered. We are committed to providing equal opportunity regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or life stage. 

We value flexibility, and encourage our team members to work in ways that meet their work/life commitments and support their wellbeing. 

We work hard to create a safe and inclusive environment for all, and most importantly, we're all about creating better experiences – for our customers and for each other.