Head of Legal

Brooks Macdonald Group plc is one of the UK's leading wealth management firms, recognised for investment performance and client service. We offer leading multi-asset investment services to intermediaries and high-quality financial planning advice to private clients, benefitting from a strong local presence across the UK.

We see an opportunity to lead the way within our sector in relation to sustainability and responsible investing. We have set a target for our direct footprint to be Net Zero by 2030 and continue to enhance our approach to responsible investment, which includes offering a dedicated service for clients with values-based objectives.

We offer fulfilling careers in an inclusive culture that values diversity and ambition and rewards high performance. Our guiding principles underpin our culture and are at the heart of everything we do:

• We do the right thing
• We are connected
• We make a difference

We welcome talented people from all backgrounds who live our guiding principles and are focused on ensuring the best outcomes for our clients. We are committed to promoting equal employment opportunities and positively encourage applications regardless of race, religion or belief, sexuality, age, disability, gender, gender identity, marital status or pregnancy and maternity.

Collaboration and knowledge-sharing are important to us as a firm, and we value different ways of working. Employees are required to be in the office three days a week, with flexibility to work from home on the other two days.

Role Overview

The Head of Legal is responsible for leading Brooks Macdonald’s legal function, providing high-quality, commercially focused legal advice and oversight across the Brooks Macdonald Group. Reporting to the CFO, the successful applicant will act as principal legal adviser to the board and senior management, lead the Brooks Macdonald Group’s legal function with a view to strengthen its legal and governance framework, anticipating and mitigating legal risks, so as to effectively enable the business to deliver its strategic objectives in a fast-paced and highly regulated environment.

Role Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day management of the Brooks Macdonald legal function, reporting directly to the CFO.
• Lead, manage and develop the legal department, ensuring it operates effectively and collaborates seamlessly with other business units across the Brooks Macdonald Group.
• Act as principal legal adviser to the board, senior management and relevant committees, providing clear, timely and commercially focused guidance and deliver solution-oriented reports on legal matters, risks and developments.
• Strengthen and maintain a robust legal framework supporting corporate governance, legal risk management, data protection and regulatory compliance, ensuring legal considerations are appropriately integrated into governance processes.
• Build and maintain trusted, collaborative relationships with key stakeholders across the Brooks Macdonald Group, promoting a client-focused and commercially pragmatic approach.
• Manage external legal counsel relationships to ensure a cost-effective, high-quality service and appropriate support on specialist matters.
• Manage litigation, disputes and investigations, working with internal stakeholders and external counsel, as appropriate.
• Support strategic projects, transactions (including M&A), commercial negotiations and other business initiatives with expert legal advice, partnering with external counsel where appropriate.
• Maintain oversight of legal frameworks, contracts, policies, templates and internal guidance, ensuring they remain current, fit for purpose and appropriately embedded in the business.
• Uphold high professional and ethical standards and carry out the role in accordance with the FCA Conduct Rules and expected behaviours.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Requisite Knowledge

• In-depth knowledge of legal considerations relevant to wealth and investment management businesses.
• Strong understanding of applicable legal frameworks in which the Brooks Macdonald Group operates.
• Ability to interpret and apply FCA rules and other regulatory frameworks from a legal standpoint.
• Ability to run M&A transactions, with and without external counsel.
• Strong grasp of corporate governance, contractual law, data protection laws, and financial services laws and regulations.

Core Skills

• Excellent oral, written and presentation skills with the ability to convey complex legal concepts clearly and concisely to non-legal audiences.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to think laterally.
• High degree of commercial awareness with a particular focus on wealth and investment management businesses.
• Demonstrable ability to effectively build relationships and influence key stakeholders.
• High attention to detail.
• Ability to mentor, develop and lead a high-performing legal team.
• Solicitor or barrister qualified in England & Wales (or equivalent) with a minimum 7 years of post-qualification experience.
• Previous in-house experience in the wealth and investment management or financial services sector preferable, but not essential.