Head of Legal, UK in Whitehall

The global Digital Science business is scaling up, and is currently advised by a five-member legal team made up of a London-based General Counsel, supported by experienced lawyers working remotely in each of the UK, the US and Germany, and a more junior member in London. As a senior member of the team, you will work alongside the General Counsel to form a key part of the legal team. The role is broad-based commercial/IT/IP, and while you will be provided with lots of support and opportunities to learn about the business and grow together with it, the position will require someone who takes ownership across a broad remit, has strong in-house experience in a fast-moving international business and works effectively with autonomy, hands-on, with excellent prioritisation skills.

What you'll be doing:

• Supervising a junior team member and acting as a senior representative of the legal team
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating all types of commercial contracts – both simple and complex – including customer agreements, vendor agreements, reseller agreements, data licences and NDAs
• Supporting sales activities, including reviewing proposals, providing RFP support and reviewing contract redlines
• Advising on new laws and regulations (including data privacy), developing internal policy documentation and processes, legal templates and online terms
• Supporting internal projects such as integrating new businesses acquired via M&A, advising on new product releases and information security improvements
• Driving the adoption of new technologies, automated ways of working and improved processes within the legal team
• Acting as a direct point of contact for business teams including HR, group IT, marketing, sales, product and technology, taking the lead on specific product and legal areas

Qualifications:

• A current UK practising certificate
• Private practice training at a leading law firm
• 15+ years PQE
• 5+ years of in-house experience, ideally in a growth SaaS, data or technology business
• A collaborative working style and a genuine interest in the success of those around you
• A strong background in commercial contracts, with extensive experience drafting and negotiating a variety of agreements, with an emphasis on software-as-a-service and data licences
• Working knowledge of data privacy law and regulations
• A genuine enthusiasm for technology and a drive to adopt new tools and ways of working

Don't worry if you don't meet every qualification—let us be the judge! Studies show that many qualified candidates from under-represented groups hesitate to apply unless they meet every single requirement. We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive team and strongly encourage you to submit your application.

Living our Values:

• We are brave in the pursuit of better
• We are collaborative and inclusive
• We are always open-minded
• We are from and for the community

At Digital Science, our vision is to see research flow seamlessly—trusted, collaborative, and accessible—fueling breakthroughs that push humanity forward. This ambitious mission is one we achieve together, by enabling open, collaborative, inclusive research. We firmly believe that to truly innovate and solve the complex challenges faced by our customers, from researchers and universities to funders and publishers, we need diverse perspectives, experiences, and ideas. A rich mix of voices drives quality insights, fosters enhanced collaboration, and ultimately pushes knowledge forward more effectively.