At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global legal services, optimise governance, and manage legal spend.
- Company: Join a leading international animal welfare charity making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, health cover, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a meaningful role while working with passionate professionals.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with experience in commercial law and stakeholder management.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working and opportunities for personal growth in a supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 76000 £ per year.
These are exciting times for the charity, and we have an outstanding opportunity for a commercially minded and detail‑oriented individual with strong influencing and organisational skills to join the Governance and Compliance Team. This is a 12‑month fixed term role starting as soon as possible.
Location: Devon/Hybrid
Hours: Full‑time, 35 hours per week, 08.30‑16.30, Monday‑Friday
Salary: £68,273
Contract: 12‑month fixed term
Closing Date: Tuesday 31st March
About the Role
As Global Legal Contracts Manager, you will lead the strategic control and optimisation of global legal services across sanctuary, driving improved financial discipline, governance, compliance and quality assurance. Within this multifunctional and rewarding role, you will partner closely with Finance, Governance and senior stakeholders across the charity to ensure legal services are aligned with organisational risk, value, and strategic objectives.
Your main duties include:
- Working with key stakeholders to drive continuous improvement in the quality, consistency, and commerciality of legal services delivered across the organisation.
- Working with internal partners to support the review and redesign of the charity's legal function.
- Acting as the central point of control for organisational legal spend.
- In partnership with key stakeholders track and analyse global legal casework in relation to legal risk and compliance.
- Working with Director Global Assurance and functional leads to support, develop and implement governance frameworks to improve oversight, approval processes and reporting of legal costs.
- Managing relationships with external legal providers.
- Leading, developing and performance managing the team, setting clear objectives aligned to the Charity's strategic aims, ensuring accountability, capability building, and a clear understanding of the team's contribution to organisational success.
About You
You will be a qualified solicitor or legal executive in England & Wales, with substantial post qualification experience in commercial/contract law, either in‑house or with a reputable law firm. You will have:
- Experience in an in‑house legal, contracts, or legal operations role within a global operation.
- A strong understanding of legal spend management, governance, and financial controls within a multi‑jurisdictional international organisation.
- Experience of working with external legal panels and managing professional service providers.
- Proven ability to analyse cost data and develop practical, value‑driven solutions.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with experience influencing senior leaders and cross‑functional teams.
- Extensive experience of supporting and advising at Board and Executive level on corporate and legal affairs, both in the UK and internationally.
Benefits
- Competitive pension.
- Life assurance (4 x annual salary).
- BUPA private health cover.
- Sickness Income Protection (50% of salary).
- 31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 with each full year of service.
- Wellbeing team.
- Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes.
- Long service awards.
- Healthshield plan.
- Free parking.
- Subsidised restaurant and shop.
About the Organisation
Join one of the UK’s largest international animal welfare charities, currently supporting projects in over 35 countries worldwide, working for a world where donkeys and mules live free from suffering and their contribution to humanity is fully valued. The Charity is a Disability Confident Employer, committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults) and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post.
Global Legal Contracts Manager employer: Donkey Sanctuary
Contact Detail:
Donkey Sanctuary Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Legal Contracts Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who work in global operations. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the charity's mission and values. Show us how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in governance and compliance. Tailor your answers to highlight your stakeholder management skills!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how you can optimise legal services and manage legal spend effectively. We want to hear about your past successes and how they can translate into value for the charity.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and making a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Global Legal Contracts Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Global Legal Contracts Manager role. Highlight your experience in commercial/contract law and any relevant in-house roles. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your strong influencing and organisational skills, as these are key for us.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills: In your application, be sure to highlight your experience working with senior leaders and cross-functional teams. We value strong stakeholder management skills, so share examples of how you've influenced decision-making in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Donkey Sanctuary
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your commercial and contract law knowledge. Be ready to discuss specific cases or experiences where you've successfully managed legal contracts, especially in a global context. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but can apply it practically.
✨Understand the Organisation
Research the charity’s mission and values, as well as their current projects. Being able to articulate how your skills align with their goals will demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and the organisation. Plus, it’ll help you connect your experience to their needs.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Scenarios
Think of examples where you've influenced senior leaders or worked with cross-functional teams. Prepare to discuss how you’ve handled challenging stakeholder relationships and what strategies you used to ensure alignment with organisational objectives.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Be ready to talk about how you've tracked and analysed legal spend or casework in the past. Bring examples of how your analytical skills led to practical, value-driven solutions. This is crucial for the role, so make sure you highlight your experience in this area.