Legal Director (In-house)

Legal Director (In-house)

London Full-Time 72000 - 108000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the legal function and advise the executive team in a fast-paced environment.
  • Company: Join a dynamic company poised for growth, aiming for Series B funding.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive six-figure salary plus equity options.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of a high-growth startup while making a real impact.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years PQE with experience in both law firms and startups required.
  • Other info: We value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.

This will be a pivotal role in our clients senior leadership team. You’ll build the legal function from scratch, embedding legal thinking across the business and shaping the foundations of their next phase of growth, including their path to Series B and beyond.

You’ll act as a strategic advisor to the executive team - bringing clarity to complexity, balancing risk and velocity, and helping the business move fast with confidence. This is a role for a commercially-minded legal operator who thrives in high-growth environments and knows how to build for scale.

THE CANDIDATE:

  • 10+ years PQE with a strong blend of top-tier law firm and in-house scale-up experience.
  • Track record of owning legal strategy in a high-growth environment, ideally as the first legal hire or Head of Legal.
  • Strong commercial judgment and deep understanding of startup risk across legal domains.
  • Highly autonomous and solutions-oriented—able to cut through complexity and guide the business with calm, sound judgment.
  • Skilled at making legal advice accessible, actionable, and aligned with business goals.
  • Calm under pressure, highly autonomous, and motivated by impact and mission.

At eNL we value diversity and inclusion. We want to attract people at all levels and encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates whatever your ethnicity, religion, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristics protected by law in the jurisdictions in which we operate.

Legal Director (In-house) employer: Executive Network Legal Limited

As a Legal Director in London, you will join a dynamic and innovative team that values autonomy and strategic thinking, offering a unique opportunity to shape the legal function from the ground up. Our inclusive work culture fosters collaboration and encourages professional growth, with competitive six-figure salaries and equity options that reflect your contributions to our exciting journey towards Series B and beyond. Embrace the chance to make a meaningful impact in a high-growth environment where your expertise will be pivotal to our success.
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Contact Detail:

Executive Network Legal Limited Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Legal Director (In-house)

✨Tip Number 1

Network with professionals in the legal field, especially those who have experience in high-growth environments. Attend industry events or webinars where you can connect with potential colleagues or mentors who can provide insights into the role and the company.

✨Tip Number 2

Research the company’s current legal challenges and growth trajectory. Understanding their business model and the specific legal issues they face will allow you to tailor your discussions and demonstrate your strategic thinking during interviews.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your previous experiences in building legal functions from scratch. Highlight specific examples where you successfully navigated complex legal landscapes and contributed to a company's growth, as this will resonate well with the hiring team.

✨Tip Number 4

Showcase your ability to make legal advice accessible and actionable. Be ready to explain how you've previously aligned legal strategies with business goals, as this is crucial for a role that requires balancing risk and velocity.

We think you need these skills to ace Legal Director (In-house)

Legal Strategy Development
Commercial Awareness
Risk Management
High-Growth Environment Experience
Autonomy and Self-Motivation
Complex Problem Solving
Stakeholder Management
Effective Communication
Negotiation Skills
Team Leadership
Regulatory Compliance
Contract Law Expertise
Business Acumen
Adaptability to Change

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your 10+ years of PQE, focusing on your experience in both top-tier law firms and in-house roles. Emphasise any previous roles where you owned legal strategy in a high-growth environment.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, demonstrate your understanding of the company's needs and how your skills align with their goals. Highlight your ability to provide strategic legal advice and your experience in building legal functions from scratch.

Showcase Commercial Acumen: Throughout your application, illustrate your strong commercial judgment and ability to navigate startup risks. Use specific examples to show how you've made legal advice accessible and actionable in past roles.

Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, thoroughly proofread your documents for any errors or inconsistencies. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for a Legal Director role.

How to prepare for a job interview at Executive Network Legal Limited

✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking

As a Legal Director, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to think strategically. Prepare examples of how you've successfully navigated complex legal challenges in high-growth environments and how your decisions have positively impacted the business.

✨Highlight Your Commercial Acumen

This role requires a strong blend of legal expertise and commercial judgement. Be ready to discuss how you've aligned legal strategies with business goals in previous roles, particularly in startup or scale-up settings.

✨Demonstrate Autonomy and Solutions Orientation

The ideal candidate is highly autonomous and solutions-oriented. Share instances where you've taken initiative to solve legal issues independently, showcasing your ability to cut through complexity and provide actionable advice.

✨Prepare for High-Pressure Scenarios

Given the fast-paced nature of the role, be prepared to discuss how you handle pressure. Think of specific examples where you've maintained calm and sound judgement while making critical legal decisions under tight deadlines.

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