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- Tasks: Lead legal strategy and provide advice at a major humanitarian organisation.
- Company: Join the British Red Cross, a leading UK charity making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy 36 days of leave, flexible working, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Shape impactful decisions while supporting a mission-driven culture focused on humanitarian efforts.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified solicitor or barrister with strong communication skills.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at our core; bring your true self to work!
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 90000 £ per year.
Location: UK Flexible
Salary: £75,725 per annum
Hours: 35 per week
Contract: Permanent
Are you ready to lead legal strategy and shape impactful decisions at one of the UK's biggest humanitarian organisations? Do you thrive on providing strategic legal advice in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment? As Head of Legal, you'll lead the design and delivery of legal services across the British Red Cross. You'll ensure our teams receive timely, effective legal support while managing external counsel relationships and driving legal risk management. This role is key to safeguarding our operations and enabling us to deliver our humanitarian mission with confidence and integrity.
A day in the life of a Head of Legal will involve:
- Leading the delivery and continuous improvement of our legal service framework.
- Providing strategic legal advice on high-risk matters and reviewing key contracts.
- Managing relationships with external legal counsel to ensure quality and value.
- Collaborating with internal teams to support decision-making and mitigate legal risks.
To be a successful Head of Legal, you'll need:
- To be a qualified solicitor or barrister with a current practising certificate in England and Wales.
- Strong ethical judgement and the ability to make sound decisions under pressure.
- Excellent communication skills to explain complex legal issues clearly and concisely.
- Proven experience in managing legal services and working with diverse stakeholders.
The closing date for applications is 23.59 on the 11th June 2025.
In return for your commitment and expertise, you'll get:
- Holidays: 36 days annual leave (including bank holidays) + option to buy 5 extra days.
- Pension scheme: Up to 6% contributory pension.
- Flexible working: We do our best to accommodate your preferred work style.
- Learning & Development: Wide range of career opportunities + comprehensive learning.
- Discounts: Access to Blue Light Discount Card and employee benefits platform.
- Wellbeing Support: Access to mental health and wellbeing assistance.
- Team Working: Support our mission in a collaborative team.
- Cycle2Work: Lease a bicycle through the scheme.
- Season ticket loan: Interest-free loan for commuting expenses.
At The British Red Cross, we pride ourselves on our diverse workforce, and ensuring we have an inclusive environment for all our staff and volunteers. We remain committed to ensuring our teams can bring their true selves to work without risk or fear of discrimination. We do this through regular data reporting, and the support of our internal Race and Equality Network (REEN), LGBT+ Network, our Disability and Wellness Network (DAWN), Gender Network, Carers Network and Young Staff Network. Together, we are the world's emergency responders.
Head of Legal employer: British Red Cross
Contact Detail:
British Red Cross Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Legal
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the legal field, especially those who have experience in humanitarian organisations. Attend relevant events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn more about the specific challenges faced in this sector.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the British Red Cross's mission and values. Understanding their humanitarian goals will help you articulate how your legal expertise can support their operations and align with their strategic objectives during discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in managing legal services and working with diverse stakeholders. Be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully navigated complex legal issues and collaborated with various teams to mitigate risks.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current legal trends and challenges within the humanitarian sector. This knowledge will not only enhance your discussions but also demonstrate your commitment to staying informed and proactive in addressing legal matters relevant to the British Red Cross.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Legal
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your qualifications as a solicitor or barrister, along with your experience in managing legal services. Emphasise your ability to provide strategic legal advice and your experience working with diverse stakeholders.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for humanitarian work and how your legal expertise aligns with the mission of the British Red Cross. Be specific about your achievements in previous roles that demonstrate your capability to lead legal strategy.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since excellent communication is crucial for this role, consider including examples in your application that demonstrate your ability to explain complex legal issues clearly and concisely. This could be through past experiences or specific projects.
Highlight Ethical Judgement: Given the importance of ethical judgement in this position, include instances where you made sound decisions under pressure. This will show your potential employer that you can handle high-risk matters effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at British Red Cross
✨Showcase Your Legal Expertise
As a Head of Legal, it's crucial to demonstrate your deep understanding of legal frameworks and your experience in managing legal services. Be prepared to discuss specific cases where you've provided strategic legal advice or managed high-risk matters.
✨Communicate Clearly
Excellent communication skills are essential for this role. Practice explaining complex legal issues in simple terms, as you may need to convey important information to non-legal stakeholders during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Ethical Judgement
Given the nature of the role, showcasing your strong ethical judgement is vital. Prepare examples that illustrate how you've made sound decisions under pressure, particularly in challenging situations.
✨Demonstrate Collaborative Skills
Collaboration with internal teams is key to mitigating legal risks. Be ready to share experiences where you've successfully worked with diverse stakeholders to support decision-making and enhance legal service delivery.
