Group Legal Director

We are currently exclusively working with a Global FTSE 250 business, which not only has an extremely reputable name, but is also going through some significant and exciting change, allowing for some really interesting work. You will work closely with the Group Legal team across 30+ jurisdictions, providing legal support to the Group corporate functions and leading on key transformation projects across the global Legal, Company Secretary, Compliance and Data Protection function. Reporting to the Group General Counsel & Company Secretary, you will contribute legally, commercially and strategically beyond the traditional Legal remit, and be an advisor for significant business decisions, as well as executing the Legal Function's strategic goals.

The role is a 12-month FTC to cover a Maternity Leave. Within the role, you will be a key member of the Legal Function Leadership Team and you will act as a trusted advisor, taking on responsibility for specific legal initiatives and advising senior executives and board members on strategic matters, including corporate governance, legal and regulatory compliance, reporting requirements, M&A, intellectual property, and litigation. You will also help to ensure that legal policies are developed and implemented to support the organisation's long-term goals, including, but not limited to the below.

• Understanding the strategy, priorities and challenges across the Group and feedback insights and priorities into the Legal Leadership Team and broader Legal Function.
• Assess and mitigate legal risks, providing proactive solutions to potential legal issues.
• Monitor changes in laws and regulations and update internal policies and procedures accordingly.
• Provide support for Regional GC and more junior members of their teams.
• Engage with external Panel legal firms as required and develop relationships with key stakeholders and help to promote the Legal Function within the business.
• Liaising with and providing legal support to other corporate functions on Functional or Group-wide projects and/or reporting.

You will also play a key role in fostering cross-functional collaboration. As well as Legal, you will work closely with Co-Sec, People & Culture, Finance, Tax, Treasury, Comms, Marketing and operations teams to address any challenges (for example, corporate actions, employment disputes or contract negotiations). Play a pivotal role in managing legal operations. This role is critical in ensuring that the Legal Function processes run smoothly. Dealing with compliance with company law, listing rules, shareholder agreements, regulatory requirements and providing legal support to the boards and committees that form part of the organisation's governance structure (working closely with the Deputy Company Secretary), so that the company/group can run compliantly.

You will be confident in managing and influencing relationships with senior stakeholders, and also want to be a part of a small and friendly team, who are extremely collaborative, as well as successful. You will also be:

• An England & Wales or Commonwealth Qualified Lawyer, 4+ PQE by way of a guideline only (more senior profiles will definitely be considered).
• Corporate background, or Corporate Associate in private practice previously, ideally with strong M&A and reorganisation experience.
• Pragmatic, with the ability to provide sound commercial legal advice and think strategically.
• Highly organised, delivery-focused, analytical and solutions-driven with the ability to propose imaginative and appropriate solutions and implement innovative business improvements.
• A growth mindset, good commercial acumen and a pragmatic individual who is confident in exercising judgment in a complex business environment.
• Resilient and self-motivated.
• Open to delivering and receiving constructive challenge and fostering an environment of openness.
• Committed to personally demonstrating and upholding the highest standards of integrity.

Desirables are also set out below:

• Experience within a senior Group / corporate in-house legal position, as well as dealing with senior stakeholders.
• Broad legal experience across a range of issues typically encountered by an in-house legal function, with particular focus on commercial contracting, employment, technology, corporate governance, corporate actions and data privacy.
• Experience of developing and implementing new business processes to aid efficiency.
• FTSE experience preferred, though not a pre-requisite.

This is a genuinely exciting time to join a very well-established business that is going through significant change. Not only will you get involved in some very interesting work and work with a fantastic Group General Counsel and wider Legal and Company Secretary team, you will also be very well remunerated.

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.