Head of Legal

Head of Legal

Full-Time 80000 - 100000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
Ardmore Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and develop the in-house Legal team while providing practical legal advice.
  • Company: Join Ardmore, a leading construction business in London with ambitious projects.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday allowances, and medical cover.
  • Why this job: Shape the legal function and support exciting construction projects in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with strong construction law experience and leadership skills.
  • Other info: Opportunity for professional growth and a supportive team culture.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 ÂŁ per year.

At Ardmore, we deliver some of London’s most ambitious residential, commercial and hotel projects. We are looking for a Head of Legal to lead our in‑house Legal team, providing practical and commercially focused advice across a broad range of construction and business matters. This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced construction lawyer who enjoys working closely with operational and commercial teams in a fast‑paced environment. The role is focused on leading and developing the legal team, acting as a trusted point of escalation for the business, and ensuring Ardmore has reliable, high‑quality legal support across the full project lifecycle.

The Role

  • Reporting into senior leadership, you will oversee the in‑house Legal team, including senior solicitors, junior solicitors, paralegals and other legal professionals.
  • You will play a key role in supporting the business on legal risk, contracts, disputes and governance, while ensuring the team is well‑managed, well‑supported and aligned with business needs.

What You’ll Be Involved In

  • Leading, mentoring and developing the in‑house Legal team
  • Acting as a senior point of contact and escalation for legal and contractual issues across the business
  • Supporting the Board, senior management and project teams with practical and commercially focused legal advice
  • Overseeing the review, negotiation and management of construction contracts and related documents
  • Supporting the business on a range of legal and risk matters across the full project lifecycle
  • Overseeing disputes and claims across the Group, including adjudication, mediation, arbitration and litigation
  • Managing external solicitors, counsel and other advisers where required
  • Ensuring robust legal processes, governance and contract administration standards are in place
  • Helping drive consistency, best practice and continuous improvement across the legal function
  • Providing training and guidance to colleagues and supporting the development of the wider team

What We’re Looking For

  • You will be a qualified solicitor with strong construction law experience gained in private practice and/or in‑house.
  • Proven experience leading, managing or mentoring legal teams
  • Strong experience across non‑contentious and contentious construction matters
  • Good knowledge of construction contracts and associated legal documentation
  • The ability to provide clear, balanced and commercially aware legal guidance across a broad range of issues
  • Confidence working closely with senior stakeholders across a complex business
  • Strong judgement, communication and stakeholder management skills
  • A practical, supportive and solutions‑led approach

Why Join Ardmore?

This is an opportunity to lead and shape an in‑house legal function within a leading construction business, where you will play a key role in supporting the business, developing the legal team and helping ensure Ardmore continues to receive pragmatic, reliable and commercially focused legal support.

Example of Company Benefits

  • Medical Cover (Most pre‑existing conditions are covered)
  • Competitive Maternity, Adoption & Paternity Pay scheme
  • Competitive holiday allowances, starting with 25 + bank holidays and going up to 29 days + Bank holidays (dependant on length of service), Day off on your birthday also included!
  • Competitive pension scheme to help you for when you retire
  • Life Assurance (Paying 4* your salary depending on level) - Relevant professional membership fees paid and continued support with your professional growth and Learning.
  • Generous Staff referral scheme, paying up to ÂŁ3,500
  • The opportunity to save up to 25% on your bike via the Cycle to work scheme
  • Discounts on 100's of retailers and Gyms

Further Information About the Role

Kindly be aware that this advertisement for our job vacancy may not encompass all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the role described. It is subject to potential amendments at the sole discretion of Ardmore.

Ardmore are an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender, reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy or maternity.

Reasonable adjustments

We would like you to perform at your best at every stage of our recruitment process. Please contact us if you require any reasonable adjustments to complete your application.

Candidate Privacy Notice

As part of our recruitment process for all roles including employees, consultants and subcontractors, we collect and process personal data relating to job candidates and potential candidates. We explain how we use personal information in the Candidate privacy notice.

Head of Legal employer: Ardmore Group

Ardmore is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where legal professionals can thrive and make a significant impact on high-profile construction projects in London. With a strong focus on employee development, competitive benefits including generous holiday allowances and medical cover, and a culture that values collaboration and innovation, Ardmore provides a rewarding platform for legal experts to lead and grow within a supportive team. Join us to shape the future of our in-house legal function while enjoying a fulfilling career in a leading construction business.
Ardmore Group

Contact Detail:

Ardmore Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Legal

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the construction and legal sectors. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet potential employers or colleagues. Remember, it’s all about who you know!

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching Ardmore and its projects. Understand their values and how your experience aligns with their needs. Tailor your responses to show how you can lead and develop their legal team effectively.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss your experience in managing legal teams and handling complex construction contracts. Use specific examples to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Legal

Construction Law
Legal Team Leadership
Contract Negotiation
Dispute Resolution
Stakeholder Management
Commercial Awareness
Judgement
Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Mentoring
Risk Management
Governance
Strategic Thinking
Training and Development

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Legal role. Highlight your construction law experience and any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how your background aligns with what we're looking for!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for Ardmore. Share specific examples of how you've led legal teams and tackled complex construction issues.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this is a senior role, we want to see your leadership style. Mention any mentoring or team development experiences you've had. We’re all about building strong teams here at Ardmore!

Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at Ardmore Group

✨Know Your Construction Law Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of construction law, especially the key forms of dispute resolution like adjudication and mediation. Be prepared to discuss how you've applied this knowledge in real-world scenarios, as it will show your practical understanding of the legal landscape.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Head of Legal, you'll be leading a team, so it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership experience. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed or mentored legal teams in the past, and be ready to discuss your approach to developing talent within your team.

✨Be Commercially Savvy

Ardmore is looking for someone who can provide commercially focused legal advice. Think about how you've balanced legal risks with business objectives in previous roles. Bring specific examples to the table that highlight your ability to think strategically while still being practical.

✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement

You'll need to work closely with senior stakeholders, so practice articulating complex legal matters in a clear and concise way. Consider how you've effectively communicated with non-legal colleagues in the past, and be ready to share those experiences during the interview.

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