Chief Legal Counsel

Our client is a long-established global consultancy with a preeminent position in its sector. Following a recent management buyout, there is now a position for a senior company commercial solicitor to join the company as Chief Legal Counsel (first in-house counsel). This role is based in the North-West of England a commutable distance from Liverpool, Manchester, Chester and Warrington.


Following the recent management-backed buyout by a UK private equity firm, and as part of establishing the business as an independent entity, our client is inviting applications from legal professionals experienced in, and capable of, assuming the role of Chief Legal Counsel and Compliance Officer for a global business.

With over 40 years' industry experience and an enviable reputation for the quality of its services, our professional services client has been the global market leader in its sector. The company is now embarking on a new adventure as an independent global business and its management has ambitious plans to double turnover, profit and staff numbers in the next five years.

The role of Chief Legal Counsel and Compliance Officer will play a pivotal role in the future success of the company. The successful candidate will be expected to provide guidance on proposed business strategies and programs, identify moderate to complex legal and regulatory issues, analyse alternatives and work with external legal and other internal functions, as appropriate, to propose solutions for the business.

Specific responsibilities will include: guidance on legal matters and regulatory audits; developing policies to reduce risk; guidance on global legal and compliance matters; managing and delivering the creation of corporate presences in new countries and regions; managing corporate litigation matters; developing a corporate counsel entity from first principals to support the development of a global business; reviewing, preparing and negotiating international commercial contracts and agreements; advising on laws related to anti-money laundering, market abuse, fraud and other regulators matters; developing, testing and maintaining an effective global compliance program; and evaluating complex regulatory matters to provide clear and insightful guidance to senior management.

This is a rare opportunity to develop and mould the corporate counsel function for an already well-established business. You will have the opportunity to set out the legal function in your own way and you will play a key role in supporting the company's growth strategy and future success.

It is envisaged that the Chief Legal Counsel will have a minimum of 15 years' industry experience, ideally in a multinational professional services / consultancy environment, be UK qualified, have strong company commercial experience, strong regulatory/compliance experience, have global/international experience and live in (or be willing to relocate to) the North West of England.

In exchange you will receive an attractive basic salary and a comprehensive benefits package.

This role is commutable from Liverpool, Manchester, Chester, Warrington, Stoke and other central parts of the North-West of England.


If you're interested in this role, please apply now or forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us.
If this job isn't quite right, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.

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BCL Legal is an equal opportunities employer.