Head of Legal in Harrogate

Join us as a Head of Legal at Bettys and Taylors Group - Our family business is home to three iconic Yorkshire brands – Yorkshire Tea, Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate. We're looking for an experienced and commercially minded legal leader to join us as Head of Legal. Reporting to the Group Governance, Risk & Compliance Director, this permanent position will act as a trusted adviser to senior leaders, helping to shape strategic decisions while ensuring legal and regulatory risks are effectively managed. This is a highly visible leadership role, offering the opportunity to influence decision-making across a unique and purpose-led business with some of the UK's most loved brands.

You'll lead a talented Legal team, drive the ongoing development of our legal function and play a key role in supporting our long-term business ambitions. As a newly created role within our Governance, Risk & Compliance structure, you'll have the scope to shape the future direction of the Legal function, embed best practice, influence ways of working, and leave your own stamp on how legal support is delivered across the Group. We offer a hybrid approach to working, with our Legal team based in Harrogate (HG2 7LD). While regular time onsite is important for collaboration, relationship-building and supporting the business, we recognise the value of flexibility and are happy to discuss working arrangements. This role is offered on a full-time basis (37.5 hours per week).

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop the Legal team, ensuring high-quality, pragmatic and commercially focused legal support across the Group.
• Advise senior leaders and stakeholders on complex legal matters, balancing legal risk, commercial objectives and Bettys & Taylors Group values.
• Support the development and delivery of the Legal function strategy, ensuring resources, priorities and capabilities are aligned to business objectives.
• Lead the review, negotiation and oversight of material commercial contracts, including supply, procurement, customer, licensing, services and strategic partnership agreements.
• Develop and continuously improve legal processes, templates, playbooks and guidance to enable efficient and consistent legal support across the business.
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments, providing guidance on emerging risks, opportunities and required changes to policy, process or practice.
• Oversee the management and protection of the Group's intellectual property portfolio, including trade marks, designs, copyright and brand protection activities.
• Manage disputes, investigations and claims, including the instruction and oversight of external legal advisers where appropriate.
• Lead legal input on key regulatory and compliance matters, including data protection, consumer law, competition law, marketing, ESG and commercial governance.
• Manage external legal adviser relationships and budgets, ensuring effective use of specialist support and value for money.
• Build legal capability across the business through training, coaching and practical guidance that supports confident, risk-aware decision-making.

What You Bring

• Qualified Solicitor in England & Wales with significant post-qualification experience gained in private practice, in-house, or a combination of both.
• Strong technical expertise in UK commercial law and the ability to provide pragmatic, commercially focused legal advice in a complex business environment.
• Broad experience across commercial contracting, legal risk management, dispute resolution, regulatory compliance and business governance.
• Proven experience leading, developing and coaching legal professionals, with the ability to balance competing priorities and manage resources effectively.
• Ability to build credibility and influence with senior leaders, providing trusted advice and constructive challenge where required.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, actionable guidance.
• Working knowledge of legal and regulatory frameworks relevant to food, hospitality, retail and manufacturing businesses, including data protection, intellectual property, consumer law, marketing law, competition law and corporate governance.
• Experience managing external legal advisers, legal budgets and legal operations, including process improvement and policy development.

Interested in joining our Legal team, but not sure you meet all the criteria for this role? We're also recruiting for a Legal Counsel (14-month fixed-term contract) opportunity to cover maternity leave.

About us - great people, great culture

We are Bettys & Taylors Group. We are driven by our purpose and values, and we know our talented people set us apart. We are committed to offering a welcoming, inclusive culture where everyone can thrive and we welcome applications from all cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. Don’t worry if you do not meet 100% of the job requirements listed above – if you fulfil most of the skills and experiences we're looking for, please apply.

What we offer you

• A discretionary profit-share bonus scheme paid quarterly (11.9% average over the last 3 years).
• A generous, flexible and inclusive range of family-friendly benefits to support you through every stage of life.
• Freshly cooked hot meals while at work, along with free drinks and snacks.
• Discounts on Bettys & Taylors products.
• A range of health benefits, including a health cash plan, health assessments, flu jabs and more.
• Wellbeing support, including an Employee Assistance Programme.
• The option to buy and sell additional holidays.
• Pension schemes and life assurance.

The closing date for this vacancy is 31st August 2026.