General Counsel/Head of Legal

Head of Legal/General Counsel | Bristol | Education Sector | Negotiable Salary 

A rare opening within a highly sought-after, prestigious law firm for a new General Counsel/Head of Legal to join their ranks;  this role offers the successful candidate the chance to further their legal career in the Commercial Contracts sector, working with and learning from the best.

Your new law firm: 

• Join this firm as their first in-house hire, supporting the strategic and operational goals.
• Functioning within the public sector, the firm is looking for a candidate who is motivated to work within a values-led institution, offering guidance on increasingly complex legal and regulatory matters.
• This is a newly created role, so you'll have the scope to reshape and build their in-house legal function but with the support of an existing contracts team.

Your new role:

• As General Counsel you will play a critical role in achieving the firm's ambitious strategy in an increasingly regulated sector and complex global environment.
• In your new role, you will be responsible for managing a personal caseload of high-profile and/or complex legal matters.
• You will need to be confident in advising senior management and the Board of Directors, as this position comes with a high level of autonomy and will see you contracting external legal services, managing relationships, and enhancing the legal capacity of the institution.
• Reporting to the Chief of Staff and Clerk to the Board of Governors, you will plan, organise, monitor and review the legal function's business to deliver aims and objectives.

What you'll need to succeed: 

• The firm is looking for a legal professional with substantial experience who has operated at a high strategic level.
• You will be a qualified Solicitor or Barrister, with significant Post-Qualified Experience, particularly in commercial law.
• You will have substantial experience in providing legal advice and guidance across a broad range of legal disciplines to senior leaders, identifying risks across the business, including reputation.
• Higher Education sector experience and knowledge or experience in a highly regulated environment would also be beneficial but is not a prerequisite.
• Other qualities will include commercial awareness and competence in contract drafting as well as negotiation. You will be a creative thinker with an aptitude for leadership.

What you'll get in return: 

• This is a great opportunity if you are looking for a role with high autonomy and a better work-life balance than most industries.
• Operating within the public sector, our client offers an exclusive range of benefits, including 35 days holiday allowance as well as an additional 12 days' bank holiday.
• As well as this, there is the opportunity to participate in cycle-to-work schemes, access well-being initiatives, a comprehensive pensions package and the option for hybrid working.
• Please note that as this role is within the Third Sector, the pay will be reflective of this, so you will be motivated to work within a people-focused organisation, that offers great rewards and an overall package, over base compensation.

Next Steps: 

Take your career forward, reach out and apply for this General Counsel/Head of Legal position via the portal below; we look forward to welcoming you onto the team.