At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead legal matters, draft contracts, and advise on corporate governance.
- Company: Join Native, a platform connecting brands and students for unforgettable events.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model with a competitive pro-rated salary.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping a growing startup's legal landscape.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with 5+ years’ experience in commercial law.
- Other info: Ideal for those passionate about tech, media, and student experiences.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 120000 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid (London-based preferred)
Level: IC5
Reporting to: CEO
Type: Part-time
Salary: £100K-£120K (Pro-rated, hours dependant)
About Native
At Native, we’re building the ecosystem for student events and experiences. Our platform connects brands, Students’ Unions, and students powering everything from freshers fairs to major brand activations. As we scale across the UK and beyond, we’re looking for a commercially minded, pragmatic General Counsel to help us navigate the legal landscape and protect what we’re building.
The Role
As General Counsel, you’ll be Native’s first in-house legal hire. You’ll be the go-to for all things legal balancing risk, enabling growth, and helping teams make sound decisions. From commercial contracts and data protection to employment law and investor matters, you’ll play a key role in shaping how we scale.
What You’ll Be Responsible For
- Legal & Commercial
- Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide range of commercial contracts (client, supplier, partnership, IP, licensing)
- Acting as a thought partner to the commercial team on contract structures, risk, and compliance
- Supporting ad hoc legal queries across all functions
- Corporate & Governance
- Advising the CEO and exec team on corporate structuring, governance, and fundraising
- Overseeing cap table, share schemes, and investor reporting from a legal perspective
- Managing relationships with external counsel
- Risk & Compliance
- Managing data protection and privacy obligations (GDPR, ICO)
- Ensuring contracts and business processes align with regulatory and legal requirements
- Helping build lightweight, scalable policies to support a growing business
What We’re Looking For
- Qualified solicitor (UK or common law jurisdiction) with 5+ years’ PQE
- Background in top-tier private practice and/or fast-growth in-house legal role
- Commercial, pragmatic mindset you enable, not block
- Experience across contracts, corporate law, employment, and data protection
- Comfortable working autonomously and prioritising in a fast-paced environment
- Strong communicator who builds trust across levels and functions
Nice to Haves
- Experience in tech, media, events, or platform businesses
- Understanding of startup equity, funding rounds, and international expansion
- Experience working with or within VC-backed companies
General Counsel (Fractional) employer: Jobleads-UK
Contact Detail:
Jobleads-UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land General Counsel (Fractional)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific legal challenges faced by startups, especially in the tech and events sectors. Understanding the nuances of commercial contracts and data protection laws will give you an edge in discussions during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the startup ecosystem, particularly those who have experience in legal roles within fast-growing companies. This can provide you with insights into the role and may even lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences in managing legal risks and compliance in a fast-paced environment. Be ready to share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to balance legal requirements with business growth.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your communication skills by being clear and concise in your interactions. As a General Counsel, you'll need to build trust across various teams, so demonstrating your ability to convey complex legal concepts simply will be crucial.
We think you need these skills to ace General Counsel (Fractional)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in legal roles, particularly in commercial contracts, corporate law, and data protection. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to navigate complex legal landscapes.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role at Native and explain how your background aligns with their needs. Highlight your experience in fast-paced environments and your pragmatic approach to legal challenges.
Showcase Relevant Skills: Emphasise skills that are crucial for the General Counsel position, such as strong communication, risk management, and the ability to work autonomously. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed legal issues in previous roles.
Research Native: Familiarise yourself with Native's mission and values. Understanding their ecosystem for student events will help you tailor your application and demonstrate your genuine interest in contributing to their growth.
How to prepare for a job interview at Jobleads-UK
✨Understand the Company and Its Ecosystem
Before your interview, take the time to research Native and its role in connecting brands, Students’ Unions, and students. Familiarise yourself with their platform and recent events they’ve hosted. This will help you demonstrate your genuine interest and understanding of their business model.
✨Showcase Your Legal Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience with commercial contracts, data protection, and corporate governance. Highlight specific examples from your past roles where you successfully navigated legal challenges or contributed to business growth through sound legal advice.
✨Demonstrate a Pragmatic Mindset
As the General Counsel, you'll need to balance risk with enabling growth. Prepare to discuss how you've approached similar situations in the past, focusing on your ability to provide practical solutions rather than just identifying problems.
✨Communicate Effectively
Strong communication skills are essential for this role. Practice articulating complex legal concepts in a way that is easy to understand for non-legal stakeholders. Be ready to showcase how you've built trust and collaborated with teams across different functions.