General Counsel 

£75,000 Per Annum

Woking

We are looking for a dynamic, proactive, pragmatic, and solutions focused General Counsel to join WWF-UK to work with the organisation in delivering our vision.

General Counsel

As the leading independent conservation organisation, at WWF-UK we are creating solutions to the most important environmental challenges facing the planet so people and nature can thrive. WWF-UK is a significant member of the wider WWF Network and actively works with businesses, communities and governments to make an impact in safeguarding the natural world, tackling climate change and enabling people to use natural resources sustainably. But in this changing world there are big challenges ahead.  Join us as General Counsel and you could play a vital role in helping us face and overcome them.

As, well as being  responsible for providing practical and timely legal advice to the organisation, you will ensure compliance with all relevant legislation including company, charity, data protection and bribery laws, and thereby protect the brand of WWF.  You will be responsible for governance and company secretarial matters (including management of the Board of Trustees and its Committees). You will also work closely with our corporate, legacy and other teams in providing appropriate solutions to issues with existing and potential organisations, individuals and other WWF entities we work with.  You will be Company Secretary and oversee the activities of Legal & Governance, Compliance and Internal Audit.  As a key member of the Operations Department leadership team, we will look to you to role model new ways of working for the department.

This is a great opportunity for an ambitious individual who thrives in a complex and changing environment.  A qualified lawyer, holding a current practicing certificate, you will have demonstrable detailed knowledge, and the requisite experience, of charity, company and contract law with a drive and determination in the provision of appropriate legal advice in a this changing environment.  You have a track record of adding value including procuring and managing cost effective legal relationships.  You will be a strong team player able to operate effectively and efficiently at all levels in the organisation, with excellent interpersonal and presentation skills, outstanding negotiation skills and able to exercise mature judgement in balancing the risks and benefits. At an operational level, you have proven experience of adding significant value to the legal function, which translates into impactful advice and communications.

First interview dates: 5th and 6th January 2017