At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Age UK's Legal and Governance functions, ensuring compliance and efficiency.
- Company: Join a respected charity dedicated to supporting older people across the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, wellbeing days, and excellent pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in governance while working in a hybrid model.
- Qualifications: Qualified Lawyer with experience in charity law and governance.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 € per year.
Age UK is offering an exciting new opportunity for a Head of Legal and Governance, to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of Age UK's Legal, Governance and Procurement functions. This influential role ensures the charity operates safely, legally, and efficiently, delivering value for money, mitigating risk, and supporting Age UK's mission and strategic aims and will play a key role as we bring our legal and procurement teams closer together.
The post holder will oversee our governance function and the service we deliver to our Board of Trustees, their delegated committees and our commercial and charitable subsidiaries, with line management of the Senior Governance Manager, Procurement Manager and Legal Advisors. Applicants must hold a current practising certificate (applications from barristers would be considered). Please note that the postholder will also act as our Company Secretary.
We operate a hybrid-working model, a blend of home and office working. This role will include regular days working from our London office (minimum once per week). Your travel costs to the London office are not covered by the charity.
Must haves:
- Demonstrable experience and success in leading and managing multidisciplined legal and contractual teams.
- Experience of providing legal advice within a charity context, showing a deep understanding of charity law and grant/contractual agreements.
- Experience of delivering effective and efficient charity governance and services.
- Proven experience negotiating and contracting with external agencies and suppliers, including legal experts.
- Demonstrable experience of managing budgets.
- Experience leading the development and review of charity-wide policies, procedures, contracts and guidance.
Skills and knowledge:
- High level of numerical, business planning, monitoring, and budgeting control skills.
- Ability to prioritise, manage, and coordinate multiple projects and teams to deliver to tight deadlines.
- Strong understanding of governance frameworks in a charity and subsidiary context.
- Strong understanding of legal frameworks in the charity sector.
- Ability to respond to internal and external factors, trends, and opportunities with strategic insight.
- Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite and other digital tools.
Qualifications:
- Qualified Lawyer with current practising certificate.
What we offer in return:
- Competitive salary, 26 days annual leave + bank holidays + annual leave purchase scheme.
- Wellbeing days - 2 paid days per year (pro rata for our part-time colleagues).
- Excellent pension scheme, life assurance, Bupa health cashback plan and EAP.
- Car Benefit scheme, Cycle to Work scheme.
- Home & Tech - apply to buy any Home & Tech items from ‘Currys’ & ‘IKEA’, up to £1000, and spread the cost over 12 months, interest free. (subject to affordability).
- Blue Light Card scheme.
- You Did It Awards - recognition awards from £100-250.
Additional Information:
Candidates are expected to provide a supporting statement that explains how they meet the competencies annotated with an ‘A’ in the job description, to assess suitability for the position. Age UK acknowledges and accepts that AI may be used to support the application; we do expect candidates to personalise experience, knowledge and skills and failure to do so, may result in your application being rejected.
Please submit a Word version of your CV as it will be anonymised by our recruitment system when you apply for a role. Our system is unable to anonymise supporting statements and heavily formatted CVs. Please could you remove any personal information including your name before you upload to support our inclusive recruitment process. All equalities monitoring information is also anonymised and not shared with the hiring panel. Your name and address will only be known to us if invited for interview.
Equal opportunities & Disability Confident Scheme:
Age UK is an Equal Opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates, regardless of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital/civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity. Age UK is a Disability Confident Scheme employer.
Reasonable adjustments:
Disabled job seekers can access reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. All requests for reasonable adjustments are considered on a case‑by‑case basis, in collaboration with the disabled job seeker to best meet their needs, by contacting the Recruitment Team. Disability disclosures will be kept confidential and only shared on a need‑to‑know basis to support the implementation of adjustments. Disclosures will not be used to inform hiring decisions.
Age UK is committed to safeguarding adults at risk, and children, from abuse and neglect. We expect everyone who works with us to share this commitment.
Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert at any time.
Age UK politely requests no contact from recruitment agencies or media sales. We do not accept speculative CVs from recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
Head of Legal and Governance employer: Age Uk
Age UK is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With competitive salaries, generous leave policies, and unique benefits such as wellbeing days and a comprehensive pension scheme, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. The hybrid working model allows for flexibility, while the opportunity to lead impactful legal and governance functions within a respected charity makes this role particularly rewarding for those looking to make a difference in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Legal and Governance
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal and charity sectors. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Age UK thoroughly. Understand their mission, values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role and the organisation.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Head of Legal and Governance. Highlight your leadership skills and any successful projects you've led in the past that relate to charity governance and legal frameworks.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining Age UK and makes it easier for us to keep track of your application.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Legal and Governance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Supporting Statement:Make sure to personalise your supporting statement to highlight how your experience aligns with the competencies listed in the job description. We want to see your unique skills shine through!
Keep It Simple and Clear:When writing your CV and supporting statement, avoid heavy formatting. Stick to a clean layout so our recruitment system can easily anonymise your application. We appreciate clarity!
Showcase Your Legal Expertise:Since this role is all about legal and governance, be sure to emphasise your relevant experience in charity law and governance frameworks. We’re looking for someone who knows their stuff!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Age Uk
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on charity law and governance frameworks before the interview. Being able to discuss specific legal scenarios or challenges faced by charities will show that you’re not just knowledgeable but also passionate about the sector.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led multidisciplined teams in the past. Highlight your experience in managing budgets and delivering effective governance, as this role requires strong leadership and operational oversight.
✨Tailor Your Supporting Statement
Don’t forget to personalise your supporting statement! Address the competencies listed in the job description directly, using specific examples from your experience that demonstrate how you meet each requirement.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and strategic insight. Think about potential challenges Age UK might face and how you would approach them, especially in terms of legal and procurement matters.