Head of Commercial Contracts and Legal in London

Global Witness are seeking a highly experienced and adaptable Head of Legal to join our impactful organisation. At Global Witness, we’re on a mission to shift the balance of power from the polluters profiting most from the climate emergency to the people most adversely affected. We shine a light on the financial and political systems that enable corporate abuses of power that harm people and planet.

The Head of Legal will provide comprehensive, strategic legal advice across a wide range of organisational activities, with a primary focus on investigations and litigation advice. As an in-house legal expert, you will manage litigation, deliver pre-publication advice, and proactively assess and mitigate legal risks, including those related to intellectual property and data protection. You will work closely with the senior leadership team to ensure that we maintain the highest standards of corporate compliance, both nationally and internationally, while protecting and enhancing our reputation and relationships.

In addition, as part of our learning organisation, you will play a pivotal role in knowledge sharing and legal training, fostering collaboration across the organisation to ensure staff are equipped with the legal knowledge they need to thrive. This senior role requires a UK-qualified lawyer of 5+ years of experience of media law and compliance, pre-and post-publication legal advice and related litigation experience. You may have obtained that experience at a law firm or in a media organisation.

The ideal candidate will have experience of advising on defamation, privacy, confidentiality, intellectual property and other media law risks preferably in the context of high-profile, international campaigning and investigations. You will be a strategic thinker who can manage complex legal issues while supporting the overall mission and goals of the organisation. You will be confident advising on and negotiating a range of contract, governance, compliance and IP management matters relevant to our campaign activities as well as the flexibility to support an international and mission-driven organisation.

Global Witness has a talented team of people worldwide with offices in London, Washington DC and Brussels. We do our best to make our jobs accessible to all regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation or identity. We offer an excellent benefits package including a competitive salary and 20 days annual leave (excl. Bank Holidays). We also offer healthcare insurance, wellbeing days and policies to support you during key life events. We have formalised our shorter working week where everyone works 30 hours Monday to Thursday, with Friday off with no impact on full time salary. We operate a hybrid working model which requires at least 2 days in the office.

Applications should be made online via the button below and include: Equality and diversity. We would appreciate your participation in completing our Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form. Global Witness wants to meet the aims and commitments set out in its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategy. This includes not discriminating under the Equality Act 2010 and building an accurate picture of the make-up of the workforce and candidates in encouraging equality and diversity.