At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a dynamic legal team while advising on commercial growth.
- Company: Established bank-owned finance business with ambitious growth plans.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus potential, and excellent benefits package.
- Other info: Opportunity for career advancement in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in a senior role within a major international banking group.
- Qualifications: Qualified commercial or finance lawyer with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 85000 £ per year.
James George Recruitment is working with a well-established, bank-owned equipment and vendor finance business. They’re looking for an experienced commercial or finance lawyer to lead their UK legal function as Interim Head of Legal for six months. This is a senior role. You’ll report to the Deputy CEO, sit in the Senior Management Group and lead a team of four (a Senior Legal Counsel, two Legal Counsel and a Paralegal). You’ll be the business’s main legal adviser, giving clear, commercial direction that supports growth while keeping risk at the right level.
What you’ll be doing:
- Leading, coaching and developing the UK legal team, and setting KPIs, SLAs and delivery targets that make the function a real partner to the business.
- Acting as Legal Counsel for the UK business: legal sign-off on new products, processes and regulatory change, and keeping local legal policies and procedures fit for purpose.
- Owning the suite of customer and introducer documentation, handling amendments and new requests, and supporting Sales on framework agreements, including visits to customers and introducers.
- Reviewing European structures and paperwork for new products and cross-border agreements.
- Managing pre-litigation and litigation files, and supporting hard arrears cases (statutory demands, witness statements, disclosure packs).
- Mapping legal risk, putting action plans in place and training the business on the correct use of contractual documentation.
- Keeping up with changes to law and regulation, and briefing local management and the wider Group legal network.
- Managing external law firms and making sure Legal is built into crisis management and business continuity planning.
What you’ll bring:
- Qualified commercial or finance lawyer with UK law expertise, working at Senior Lawyer or Head of Legal level.
- Solid understanding of vendor finance programmes. Experience in equipment leasing or finance, banking or wider financial services is highly preferred.
- Excellent drafting and contract analysis skills, with practical, commercial solutions.
- Good knowledge of UK debt enforcement and commercial dispute resolution, and of relevant legislation such as the CCA, CCD and AML.
- Proven ability to lead, coach and mentor qualified and junior lawyers.
- The presence to influence senior executives and Group-level stakeholders, with strong negotiation and presentation skills.
- Able to meet SMCR fit and proper requirements.
- Self-motivated and comfortable stepping in and making an impact quickly.
The package:
Competitive basic plus bonus and excellent benefits. This is a great interim opportunity to lead a legal function within a major international banking group, in a business with clear growth plans. Salary £70,000, on target earnings 55% of salary with potential to earn up to 500% of salary in bonus. Salary range £70,000 to £85,000 depending on experience and level of hire, on target earnings up to 55% of salary.
Interim Head of Legal – Asset Finance – South West... in London employer: Finance Connect
New Leaf Search offers a dynamic and supportive work environment for Operations Executives, particularly in the vibrant city of London. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, the company provides opportunities to enhance your skills in asset finance and leasing while enjoying a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. Employees benefit from competitive salaries, an uncapped commission scheme, and a culture that values proactive problem-solving and collaboration across teams.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Head of Legal – Asset Finance – South West... in London
✨Get Involved in Legal Networking Events
Jump into local or virtual legal networking events to meet industry pros and get your foot in the door! Use platforms like Eventbrite or Meetup to find gatherings, as these are great for making connections and hearing about temporary roles at firms like Finance Connect.
✨Showcase Your Skills Online
Create a simple online portfolio to showcase your legal work, whether that's case briefs, research papers, or even blog posts on legal topics. This public display can really set you apart when looking for temp roles in law, especially if you can make it relevant to the work that Finance Connect does!
✨Tap into Law School Resources
If you're near a law school, hit up their career services. They often have leads on temporary positions and can help connect you with alumni working at firms. Plus, they might host workshops or job fairs specific to the legal sector—great for scoring that temp position!
✨Stay Updated with Legal Job Boards
Regularly check specialised legal job boards like LawCareers.Net or TotallyLegal for temporary listings. Many firms post their openings directly there, and applying quickly can give you an edge over the competition when looking to join a prestigious firm like Finance Connect.
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Head of Legal – Asset Finance – South West... in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Legal Know-How:In the legal services world, it's all about demonstrating your understanding of relevant laws and regulations. Make sure your CV highlights your legal training, internships, or any relevant projects you've worked on. If you've done any mooting or legal research, include those too - they can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Application for the Temp Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should stress your adaptability and readiness to jump in right away. Highlight any previous temp roles where you quickly got up to speed, or any diverse experiences that show you can handle a variety of cases or tasks with ease.
Keep it Specific with Your Documents:Make sure your application includes essential legal documents, such as any relevant certifications or memberships in legal bodies. These can add credibility to your CV and show that you're serious about the profession – especially useful in a competitive field like law!
Express Your Enthusiasm in the Cover Letter:Your cover letter is a golden opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Let them know why you’re excited about this temporary position with Finance Connect and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!
How to prepare for a job interview at Finance Connect
✨Show Off Your Legal Know-How
Prepare to discuss your understanding of legal terminology and concepts that might come up during the interview for the Interim Head of Legal – Asset Finance – South West... role at Finance Connect. Brush up on relevant laws or recent cases that could be pertinent to the temporary position, as they'll likely appreciate candidates who can think on their feet and adapt to the fast-paced legal environment.
✨Talk About Your Flexibility
Since this is a temporary role, employers want to know you can hit the ground running. Be ready to highlight past experiences where you've had to quickly adapt to new tasks or work cultures. Flexibility is key in a short-term position like this, so share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage changing priorities efficiently.
✨Prepare for the Casework Challenge
You might face hypothetical scenarios where you'd have to advise on a legal issue or case. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, as interviewers in the legal sector often expect candidates to walk them through their reasoning step-by-step. This will not only showcase your legal acumen but also demonstrate your communication skills, which are crucial in law.
✨Pitch Your Legal Portfolio
If you have any relevant work samples, such as briefs, contracts, or legal research, this is your chance to shine! Be ready to discuss what you did, what challenges you faced, and the outcomes. This speaks volumes more than just listing your skills; it shows you're proactive and results-oriented, which is essential for a temporary role at Finance Connect.
