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
✨Get Involved in Law Societies
Join local law societies and attend their events – they're often a goldmine for networking and job opportunities in the legal field. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other budding lawyers and experienced solicitors who could provide vital insights and connections.
✨Tap into Online Legal Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online platforms like LinkedIn and specific legal forums. Get active in discussions or share your thoughts on recent legal developments – this not only builds your visibility but also showcases your passion and knowledge in law.
✨Attend Career Fairs and Workshops
Look out for career fairs and workshops specifically focused on law. Many law firms, including Age Uk, will be scouting for fresh talent, so bring your A-game and don’t shy away from making a memorable impression.
✨Leverage Your University’s Career Services
If you’re still in university or have recently graduated, latch onto your career services! They often have connections with law firms looking for graduates and can guide you through the application process tailored for the legal sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Legal and Governance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Legal Knowledge:When applying for a full-time role in legal services at Age Uk, make sure to demonstrate your understanding of key legal principles and areas of law relevant to the position. Include any specific coursework, modules, or certifications, like LPC or BPTC qualifications, that showcase your legal expertise directly on your CV.
Showcase Your Research Skills:In the legal field, strong research skills are crucial. Use your application to illustrate how you've utilised these skills in past studies or work experiences – whether that's through past internships or significant projects. Mention any legal databases or tools you’re proficient in, as this can give you an edge.
Tailor That Cover Letter!:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make it personal by expressing your genuine interest in Age Uk and the specific role of Head of Legal and Governance. Talk about why you want to be part of their team, how your unique experiences align with their values, and why you’re passionate about the legal sector.
Stay Formal but Friendly:While we all know the legal world can be pretty formal, don’t be afraid to let a bit of personality shine through in your written application. Use a respectful tone, but feel free to inject a little warmth; this approach can help you stand out and show you're a great fit for Age Uk’s culture!
How to prepare for a job interview at Age Uk
✨Know Your Legal Principles
Brush up on foundational legal principles relevant to the specific area of law you’re applying for, whether it’s corporate, criminal, or family law. We might get asked situational questions to test your knowledge, so being articulate about key concepts will make you stand out.
✨Be Ready for Case Studies
Full-time legal roles often involve case studies during interviews. Prepare to analyse a hypothetical case and discuss your approach to it. Practising this with a peer or mentor can help us refine our reasoning and articulate a solid legal argument.
✨Show Off Your Research Skills
As legal professionals, strong research skills are a must. Have examples ready of how you've effectively used legal databases or conducted thorough legal research in your past experiences. It's a great way to demonstrate your readiness for the role at Age Uk.
✨Exude Professionalism and Confidence
In the legal field, professionalism is key. During the interview, we should maintain good eye contact and communicate clearly to show that we’re not just knowledgeable, but also confident. This can make a positive impression on your potential colleagues at Age Uk.
