Senior Legal Counsel @ leading charity

Location: London, with hybrid working and an expectation of two days per week in the office

We are working with one of the UK’s most recognisable, purpose-led organisations as it continues to transform and modernise its legal function.

This is an opportunity for a commercially minded Senior Legal Counsel to join a team that is rethinking how legal services are delivered across a large and complex organisation. The role goes beyond traditional legal advisory work. You will act as a strategic partner to the business, help shape a more user-focused legal service and contribute to the team’s use of technology, data and AI.

The organisation is looking for someone who can combine strong legal judgement with a practical, collaborative and forward-thinking approach.

The role

You will provide high-quality, pragmatic legal advice on a broad range of complex and strategically important matters, with a particular focus on commercial contracts and business partnering.

You will work closely with senior stakeholders across the organisation, helping them make informed decisions, manage risk and achieve their objectives.

Alongside the day-to-day legal work, you will play an active role in improving how the legal team operates. This could include contributing to process improvement, legal technology, self-service tools, knowledge management, data-led reporting and the use of generative AI.

You will also support and coach colleagues, share expertise and help build legal capability across the organisation.

Key responsibilities

• Providing pragmatic, commercially focused legal advice across a broad range of matters
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex commercial contracts
• Acting as a trusted adviser to senior stakeholders
• Managing a varied and demanding caseload independently
• Developing practical, risk-based solutions to complex issues
• Supporting improvements to legal processes and service delivery
• Contributing to legal technology, data and AI initiatives
• Helping create more efficient and user-friendly ways of working
• Sharing knowledge and providing technical guidance to colleagues
• Working closely with the Legal Lead to identify risks, priorities and opportunities for improvement

About you

You will be a qualified lawyer with strong commercial experience gained in-house, in private practice or within a charity, public body or similarly complex organisation.

You are likely to be operating at Legal Counsel, Senior Legal Counsel or equivalent level and will be comfortable handling complex matters with limited supervision.

You should bring:

• Strong commercial contracting and negotiation experience
• The ability to build credibility with senior stakeholders
• A pragmatic and solutions-focused approach
• Experience managing competing priorities in a complex environment
• Curiosity around legal technology, AI and new ways of working
• A collaborative and adaptable working style
• A genuine interest in working for a purpose-led organisation

This role could suit an established Senior Legal Counsel looking for a more mission-driven environment, or a Legal Counsel ready to step into a broader and more strategic position.

The organisation is unable to offer visa sponsorship, so applicants must already have the right to work in the UK.

For more information, reach out to Martin Evensen - martin@heriotbrown.com

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