At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the legal function and advise on M&A and strategic projects.
- Company: PE-backed Food & Beverage business with a dynamic culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, benefits, and hybrid working model.
- Other info: 9-month contract with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
- Qualifications: Strong M&A experience and ability to thrive in a senior role.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
A PE-backed Food & Beverage business is searching for a senior, commercially-minded lawyer to step into the role of Interim Group Head of Legal on a 9-month fixed-term maternity cover contract, with a target start date of September 2026.
The Role
Reporting to the Group CFO, you will take ownership of all legal, governance and compliance activity across a fast-moving, international group. This is a genuinely hands-on, senior leadership role — you will be the principal legal adviser to the executive team, with oversight of legal colleagues across the UK and Europe. The business is in an active phase of corporate development, so the immediate priorities will centre on M&A and strategic transactions, alongside ongoing commercial contracting, governance, risk management and horizon scanning across a broad international footprint.
What You'll Be Doing
- Leading the group legal function and driving the ongoing build-out of a recently established in-house team
- Advising the executive and senior leadership team on M&A, commercial matters, financing and strategic projects
- Maintaining governance and risk management frameworks, and escalating material risks with clear, pragmatic recommendations
- Instructing and managing external advisers to ensure advice is timely, commercial and cost-efficient
- Preparing a structured handover to support a smooth transition at the end of the assignment
What We're Looking For
The non-negotiable is strong M&A or corporate development experience — buy-side and/or sell-side — at a senior level. You will be someone who can genuinely hit the ground running in a new environment and thrive in an entrepreneurial, fast-paced culture with limited hand-holding. Experience in private equity-backed businesses and/or the Food & Beverage / FMCG sector would be viewed favourably, but is not a prerequisite. What matters most is your track record of delivery in complex, international transactions and your ability to build trusted relationships with senior leadership quickly.
The Detail
- 9-month fixed-term contract (maternity cover)
- Start date: September 2026
- Competitive basic salary + benefits (pro-rata)
- Central London office — 3 days per week in-office
If you are a commercially astute, senior lawyer with a strong M&A pedigree and the confidence to lead a group legal function from day one, we'd love to hear from you. Please reach out directly or apply below.
Head of Legal employer: Hansen Filler Associates
Join a dynamic and fast-paced PE-backed Food & Beverage business in Central London, where you will play a pivotal role as the Interim Group Head of Legal. With a competitive salary and benefits, this position offers a unique opportunity to lead a growing in-house legal team while working closely with senior leadership on strategic M&A transactions. The company's entrepreneurial culture fosters professional growth and collaboration, making it an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and impactful work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Legal
✨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 Hansen Filler Associates.
✨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 Hansen Filler Associates 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 Hansen Filler Associates.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Legal
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 Hansen Filler Associates and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hansen Filler Associates
✨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 Head of Legal role at Hansen Filler Associates. 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 Hansen Filler Associates.
