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Senior Legal Counsel – Expedition Travel Organisation
At HX, our purpose is to awaken people to the beauty and fragility of the planet, offering adventure that reignites a sense of wonder. We take curious travellers to incredible destinations sustainably—in true expedition-style, with science and education at the heart of every journey. We guide guests off the beaten track to unique locations across the Arctic, Antarctic, Galápagos, British Isles, Alaska, Northern Norway, and Central/South America.
We are seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to join our in-house team, partnering with senior leaders to deliver legal, governance, and compliance support for our global expedition travel organisation—operating both on land and sea.
Reporting to the SVP, Legal and General Counsel, this position is ideal for a seasoned professional with 6+ years post-qualification legal experience—with at least 2 years in-house at a consumer brand business (preferably travel, hospitality, or leisure). A passion for exploration, a collaborative mindset, and the drive to deliver practical solutions are essential.
About the Role
Our team operates our global businesses from every corner of the world. As Senior Legal Counsel, you will work across Legal, Governance, Compliance, and Risk, supporting our business in becoming the world’s leading sustainable expedition brand.
This role requires deep legal expertise, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to navigate complex challenges across jurisdictions while championing our sustainability vision.
Key Responsibilities
General
- Provide strategic and operational support as part of our Integrated Legal, Governance, Compliance, and Risk team.
- Collaborate closely with the General Counsel to ensure coverage and specialised support across all business areas.
- Assess and mitigate risks, drive efficiencies and compliance, and contribute to key business projects.
- Lead on legal operations strategies to enhance delivery within budget, including AI and tech-driven tools.
Legal Support
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Commercial Agreements & Partnerships:
- Draft, review, and negotiate a range of commercial contracts in partnership with Operations and Procurement.
- Develop and maintain self-service legal tools, including HX’s form documents, templates, and guidance.
- Implement and manage contract lifecycle management (CLM) systems.
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Guest Operations & Risk:
- Handle irregular operations and guest relations (shelling, medical emergencies, etc.).
- Support Commercial Teams in consumer protection (ABTA, ATOL), advertising (ASA), and guest service.
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Brand & Intellectual Property (IP):
- Oversee IP management, including marine contracts, brand protection, and property rights.
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Strategic Transactions:
- Assist with refinancing, capital raising, and business reorganisations.
- Manage contentious disputes, investigations (internal/external), and litigation strategies.
Governance & Compliance
- Develop and implement corporate governance structures, compliance policies, and authority matrixes.
- Design and deliver company secretarial services for HX Group entities.
- Foster a strong compliance culture through Policy Committee leadership and operational audits.
- Manage consumer protection, IATA, and trade compliance (ABTA, IAATO, ATOL).
Risk Management
- Drive compliance with ethical and regulatory standards through cross-functional initiatives.
- Collaborate with marine operational teams to oversee compliance and risk mitigation.
- Manage risk registers, audits, and crisis management protocols.
Legal Operations & Efficiency
- Oversee legal resource management (in-house and external counsel).
- Implement AI-powered legal tools and process automation to enhance efficiency.
- Manage budgets and advocate for .Value Add Consulting Opportunities (VACOs).
Requirements
Education & Qualifications
- Law degree from a Common Law jurisdiction (or equivalently from Norway or Germany).
- Qualified solicitor, barrister, or legal professional (or equivalent) in the above jurisdictions.
- Fluency in English required.
- A business-level fluency in Czech, Norwegian, or German is beneficial but not required.
Experience
- 6+ years of post-qualification legal experience.
- At least 2 years’ in-house experience at a consumer brand business (ideally in travel, hospitality, or leisure sectors).
- Experience with flat fee legal consultancies advising consumer businesses structurally or operationally is acceptable.
- Preference for maritime, expedition, or cruise industry experience (if available).
- Strong background in commercial law, contract drafting, negotiation, IP/brand management, and dispute resolution.
- Corporate, employment, and contentious law experience with governance and compliance exposure desired.
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Technical & Business Skills
- Commercially and numerically literate, adept at cost-benefit analysis and risk assessment.
- Strong legal drafting, analysis, research, and negotiation skills.
- Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) with database and CRM experience.
- Tech-savvy, with an ability to adapt quickly to new legal tech platforms (e.g., contract management software).
Personal Attributes
- Explorer spirit—seeks new challenges, embraces collaboration, and works both independently and within a team.
- High emotional intelligence, integrity, and cultural sensitivity.
- Comfortable in a hybrid work environment, with adaptability to flexible travel and international ostensibility.
- Passion for inclusion, sustainability, and ambitious goals that align with HX’s mission.
HX Spirit
In line with our values, we seek individuals who embody:
- Passionate Explorers: Proud of our 130-year heritage, we actively drive innovation to create more sustainable adventures.
- Can-Do Mindset: We take initiative and contribute to the good of the business and community.
- Humble Leadership: Leaders foster trust, collaboration, and inclusivity.
- Genuine Interactions: We value authenticity and respect among colleagues and guests.
- Supportive & Collaborative Teams: Knowledge is shared generously, and we empower each other to succeed.
About HX
Founded in 1896 as Hurtigruten, HX has been a pioneer in sustainable expedition travel for generations. Our commitments include:
- First major player to ban single-use plastic across our fleet and hotels.
- Hybrid-electric ships that reduce fuel consumption by 20%.
- Onboard beach cleanups—removing thousands of tonnes of waste annually.
- HX Foundation, a dedicated charity supporting local communities and environmental initiatives in voyage regions.
We are on the cusp of "rewriting the expedition cruise industry", aiming to become the number one sustainable brand, safeguarding expeditions for the next 100 years.
Interested?
Join HX on an exciting chapter of adventure, sustainability, and growth. Discover our London Headquaters, Prague Customer Hub, sea and shore offices, and the unique mindset of people who explore deeply, care more, and change perspectives.
Apply today – curious minds and passionate explorers sought!
Let’s craft extraordinary expeditions—yours included.
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