Head of Legal

About Hadean
At Hadean, we are building the next generation of defence technology. As a key player in the UK’s defence tech ecosystem, our world-leading software is trusted by defence organisations and militaries worldwide. We specialise in AI-powered digital wargaming and Command & Control systems that help users understand complexity, make better decisions, and operate at scale. Joining Hadean means working on technology with real-world impact, alongside a team driven to push the limits of what's possible.

The Role
As Head of Legal you will own Hadean's end-to-end contracting function, building the processes, frameworks, and commercial rigour needed to support our next phase of growth across UK, NATO, and US defence markets. Reporting to the CFO and working closely with our commercial, delivery, and leadership teams, you will be the person who moves deals forward, manages risk, and ensures we can operate at speed without cutting corners. This is a high-ownership individual contributor role with significant scope to shape and grow the function over time.

What You'll Focus on: First 6 to 12 Months

• Establish scalable, efficient contracting processes across UK, NATO, and US defence customers
• Build clear visibility of contractual obligations and commercial risk across the business
• Implement pragmatic export control and trade compliance processes
• Partner with commercial teams to accelerate deal execution and reduce friction
• Develop standard templates and playbooks to support faster, more consistent contracting

Key Responsibilities

• Own and improve the end-to-end contracting process across UK, US, and NATO markets
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of agreements including customer contracts, government and defence contracts, IP licensing, NDAs, and supplier terms
• Identify, track, and manage contractual risks and obligations across the business
• Ensure compliance with MOD, FAR/DFARS, and customer-specific contract requirements
• Partner with commercial teams to enable faster, more effective deal execution
• Work with external counsel where appropriate on complex or high-value matters

• Partner with the CEO, CFO, and Board on fundraising rounds, M&A, strategic investments, and major commercial partnerships
• Manage external counsel through diligence, drafting, and closing
• Support the Board’s governance approach

• Manage Hadean’s existing patent, trademark, and other IP
• Engage counsel on future filings and proactive protection

• Own the employment legal stack across the UK and US: contracts, equity documentation, restrictive covenants, contractor arrangements, and the harder employment matters when they arise
• Work closely with the People team on policies and processes

• Manage UK and US export control requirements including ITAR/EAR licensing, classification, and sanctions screening
• Maintain compliant processes, recordkeeping, and cross-functional awareness
• Build practical trade compliance processes and deliver training across the business

• Own and maintain our overall governance frameworks
• Ensure timely renewal and maintenance of certifications
• Proactively identify and get ahead of future compliance requirements

• Ensure contracts reflect UK GDPR and relevant US privacy requirements
• Oversee data processing agreements and contractual data governance obligations

Experience Required
Qualified lawyer (England & Wales preferred; US qualification or strong US deal experience a significant plus) with 8+ years post-qualification experience. Defence or dual-use sector experience is strongly preferred. Direct familiarity with FAR/DFARS, ITAR/EAR, UK MOD contracting, and security-cleared environments. Adjacent regulated-sector experience (aerospace, critical national infrastructure, secure government IT) considered where the contracting profile is comparable. Genuine commercial deal experience. You've led significant customer or partnership negotiations (not just reviewed them). Corporate transactional experience is a plus. You've supported (or led) venture financings, M&A, or comparable transactions from the in-house side, or come from a strong corporate practice and have made the move in-house. You've worked in a Series A/B or comparable early-stage environment where processes are immature, ambiguity is the norm, and the answer is often 'we'll need to build that.'

Skills Required
Strong commercial judgement and understanding. Pragmatic, not theoretical. You’ll help solve problems rather than putting up blockers. Clear, confident communicator who can influence at all levels of seniority. Highly organised with rigorous attention to detail and strong follow-through. Comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels. Know when to escalate and when to act: sound, independent judgement. High integrity and a genuine ownership mindset.

Benefits
Hybrid working with 3 to 4 days per week in our fantastic office in Shoreditch, London. Share options. Private Health Insurance. Enhanced pension scheme. Enhanced parental leave. 3 extra days off at Christmas (on top of our standard 25). L&D budget. Regularly scheduled socials.

A Place For Everyone
We believe diversity drives innovation and for that reason we strongly encourage those from all backgrounds to apply for roles at Hadean. We are an equal opportunity employer and aim to build a workforce that is truly representative of the communities in which we operate and our clients.