At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the legal team, advising on contracts, compliance, and risk management.
- Company: Join a dynamic infrastructure company shaping the future of energy.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with strong focus on professional growth.
- Why this job: Be a key player in strategic decisions and drive legal excellence.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with experience in energy or infrastructure sectors.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
The Head of Legal reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer and is a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), playing a pivotal role in shaping and supporting the strategic direction of Eleclink. The Head of Legal maintains a dotted-line relationship to the Getlink Legal Director to ensure alignment of legal strategy, governance frameworks, regulatory obligations and risk management activities across the Group.
The role is the principal adviser to the business on all strategic legal, contractual, regulatory and risk-related matters, supporting the safe, compliant and commercially successful operation of a regulated infrastructure asset.
As head of the internal legal function, the Head of Legal works in close partnership with the CEO, SLT colleagues and leadership teams across the business to ensure legal risk is proactively identified, assessed and managed. The role ensures that material legal matters are appropriately identified and addressed, appropriate action is taken in a timely manner, and that robust, fit-for-purpose documentation underpins all material decisions, transactions and operational activities.
The Head of Legal leads a small in-house legal team, including a Paralegal, Senior Legal Counsel and a Senior Legal Consultant, and is responsible for coordinating legal support and setting priorities across the function.
Operating as a trusted strategic adviser, the Head of Legal provides forward-looking, pragmatic legal advice and maintains oversight of the Company’s overall legal risk and resilience in support of its long-term strategic objectives.
The Head of Legal has primary responsibility for the Company’s legal interactions with third parties, including principal contractors, suppliers and strategic partners, and for the negotiation and oversight of all significant contractual relationships.
As a senior leader, the role is also responsible for building and leading a high-performing in-house legal team, developing capability across the Company’s functional areas, reducing reliance on external advisers, and embedding legal support within core business teams to enable efficient delivery of project and operational goals.
In addition, the Head of Legal is accountable for the strategic management of external legal advisers, ensuring their use is proportionate, value-driven and closely controlled, and that external legal spend delivers clear commercial, risk-management and strategic benefit to the business.
Responsibilities
- Prioritising and allocating work across the legal function, including delegating defined areas of responsibility to the Senior Legal Counsel where appropriate.
- Advise the CEO and SLT on legal risk, contractual exposure and regulatory matters impacting the Company’s strategy, operations and long-term development as a regulated infrastructure asset.
- Provide proactive, commercially focused legal advice informed by a detailed understanding of the Company’s activities and objectives.
- Maintain oversight of the Company’s overall legal health and resilience, including legal risk anticipation and mitigation.
- Hold primary responsibility for the Company’s legal interaction with third parties, including principal contractors, suppliers, counterparties and strategic partners.
- Lead the drafting, negotiation and approval of all material, high-risk and strategic contractual arrangements.
- Oversee the Company’s contractual framework to ensure consistency, appropriate risk allocation, liability management and alignment with regulatory obligations and commercial strategy.
- Act as senior legal adviser supporting engagement with national regulators and, where applicable, the European Commission.
- Provide legal input into the development, interpretation and application of the Company’s Market Access Rules.
- Support the regulation team in ensuring ongoing compliance with applicable licences, exemptions, codes and regulatory regimes.
- Draft, negotiate and advise on contracts supporting the Company’s commercial and market activities.
- Provide legal oversight of key business systems and technology arrangements.
- Draft, negotiate and advise on a broad range of commercial agreements required for day-to-day operations.
- Lead the management of disputes, litigation and significant claims.
- Retain overall accountability for the Company’s compliance and data protection framework.
- Own the strategy for instruction and management of external legal advisers.
- Act as the senior legal interface with the wider Getlink Group.
- Ensure employees take reasonable care for their own health and safety.
Minimum Standards & Selection Criteria
- Qualified solicitor with significant post-qualification experience.
- Experience working in-house in energy, infrastructure or major projects.
- Strong experience in drafting commercial contracts.
- Experience managing external legal spend.
- Experience in one or more of the following areas is beneficial: construction, property law, dispute resolution/litigation, insurance and HSE related matters and risk management.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills at senior level.
- Proven ability to lead and develop a legal team.
- Able to manage multiple workstreams and prioritise effectively.
- Commercial, pragmatic and solutions-focused.
- Desirable: French language skills and cross-border experience.
Head of Legal in London employer: ElecLink
At Eleclink, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the energy sector. Our Folkestone location provides a unique opportunity to lead a talented multidisciplinary team while enjoying a supportive environment that prioritises employee growth and development. With competitive benefits and a commitment to compliance and excellence, Eleclink is the ideal place for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in HVDC engineering.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Legal in London
✨Get Involved in Law Societies
Join local law societies and attend their events – they're often a goldmine for networking and job opportunities in the legal field. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other budding lawyers and experienced solicitors who could provide vital insights and connections.
✨Tap into Online Legal Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online platforms like LinkedIn and specific legal forums. Get active in discussions or share your thoughts on recent legal developments – this not only builds your visibility but also showcases your passion and knowledge in law.
✨Attend Career Fairs and Workshops
Look out for career fairs and workshops specifically focused on law. Many law firms, including ElecLink, will be scouting for fresh talent, so bring your A-game and don’t shy away from making a memorable impression.
✨Leverage Your University’s Career Services
If you’re still in university or have recently graduated, latch onto your career services! They often have connections with law firms looking for graduates and can guide you through the application process tailored for the legal sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Legal in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Legal Knowledge:When applying for a full-time role in legal services at ElecLink, make sure to demonstrate your understanding of key legal principles and areas of law relevant to the position. Include any specific coursework, modules, or certifications, like LPC or BPTC qualifications, that showcase your legal expertise directly on your CV.
Showcase Your Research Skills:In the legal field, strong research skills are crucial. Use your application to illustrate how you've utilised these skills in past studies or work experiences – whether that's through past internships or significant projects. Mention any legal databases or tools you’re proficient in, as this can give you an edge.
Tailor That Cover Letter!:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make it personal by expressing your genuine interest in ElecLink and the specific role of Head of Legal. Talk about why you want to be part of their team, how your unique experiences align with their values, and why you’re passionate about the legal sector.
Stay Formal but Friendly:While we all know the legal world can be pretty formal, don’t be afraid to let a bit of personality shine through in your written application. Use a respectful tone, but feel free to inject a little warmth; this approach can help you stand out and show you're a great fit for ElecLink’s culture!
How to prepare for a job interview at ElecLink
✨Know Your Legal Principles
Brush up on foundational legal principles relevant to the specific area of law you’re applying for, whether it’s corporate, criminal, or family law. We might get asked situational questions to test your knowledge, so being articulate about key concepts will make you stand out.
✨Be Ready for Case Studies
Full-time legal roles often involve case studies during interviews. Prepare to analyse a hypothetical case and discuss your approach to it. Practising this with a peer or mentor can help us refine our reasoning and articulate a solid legal argument.
✨Show Off Your Research Skills
As legal professionals, strong research skills are a must. Have examples ready of how you've effectively used legal databases or conducted thorough legal research in your past experiences. It's a great way to demonstrate your readiness for the role at ElecLink.
✨Exude Professionalism and Confidence
In the legal field, professionalism is key. During the interview, we should maintain good eye contact and communicate clearly to show that we’re not just knowledgeable, but also confident. This can make a positive impression on your potential colleagues at ElecLink.
