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- Tasks: Lead legal and governance activities to support people living with cancer.
- Company: Join Macmillan, a passionate team dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, competitive salary, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the lives of those affected by cancer.
- Qualifications: Experienced lawyer with expertise in commercial and regulatory matters.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Full time (34.5 hours), we are open to a conversation about how you work these hours.
Location: Split between home and our London Office (with at least 2 days based in the office each week).
About us: At Macmillan you will find talented people working together to do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer. We are going all out to find even better ways to help even more people who need our support. Our values are at the heart of who we are and everything we do, inspiring our thinking and guiding our actions.
About the role: As Macmillan’s General Counsel, you will lead all legal, governance and regulatory activity across the organisation. You will act as our principal legal adviser, ensuring we operate with integrity and confidence while delivering maximum impact for people living with cancer.
- Strategic Legal Leadership
- Advise the Chief Executive, Executive Team and Board on legal, governance and risk matters.
- Provide expert legal guidance across contracts, employment, IP, data protection and regulatory compliance.
- Lead legal input into transformation, mergers, partnerships and major organisational initiatives.
- Oversee safeguarding, serious incident reporting and regulatory investigations.
- Apply commercial judgement to balance opportunity and risk.
- Design and embed Macmillan’s risk and information governance frameworks.
- Maintain organisational risk appetite, reporting and assurance.
- Ensure compliance with GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, PECR and ISO27001.
- Oversee risk registers, business continuity and crisis management.
- Lead whistleblowing, complaints, investigations, insurance and indemnities.
- Shape commercial models and partnership structures.
- Draft, review and negotiate contracts, grants and partnership agreements.
- Strengthen contract management systems and templates.
- Lead Macmillan’s ethics and integrity framework.
- Provide oversight of data ethics and responsible technology use.
- Support ESG priorities and represent Macmillan with regulators and sector bodies.
- Lead and develop the Legal and Governance team.
- Build organisational legal literacy through training and guidance.
- Manage departmental planning and budgets.
- Ensure early legal involvement in organisational projects.
About you: We are looking for someone who:
- Is an experienced senior lawyer with broad commercial, regulatory and governance expertise.
- Has a strong track record advising Boards and Executive Teams.
- Brings sound commercial judgement and a balanced approach to risk.
- Understands data protection, compliance and sector-specific regulation.
- Has significant experience negotiating complex contracts and partnerships.
- Demonstrates strong ethical judgement and commitment to integrity.
- Is an inclusive, inspiring leader who develops high-performing teams.
- Communicates with clarity and influence at all levels.
- Thrives in a collaborative, fast-moving environment.
Recruitment Process: First interview dates: Early - mid March 2026. To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed. We welcome applications from everyone who meet the criteria and strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Macmillan. Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy here along with our internal employee representation body, ‘Our Voice’ and 8 Employee Network groups help us promote fairness and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people.
General Counsel in London employer: Macmillan Cancer Support
Contact Detail:
Macmillan Cancer Support Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land General Counsel in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who might have insights into Macmillan. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding Macmillan’s mission and values. Show us how your experience aligns with our goals of supporting people living with cancer. We love candidates who are genuinely passionate about what we do!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, but keep it natural. We want to see your personality shine through, so don’t be afraid to let us know what makes you tick and how you can contribute to our team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you fresh in our minds as we make our decisions.
We think you need these skills to ace General Counsel in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the General Counsel role. Highlight your experience in legal, governance, and regulatory matters, and show how your skills align with Macmillan's mission to support people living with cancer.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a senior lawyer, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Share examples of how you've led teams or projects, especially in a fast-moving environment, to show us you're the right fit for our collaborative culture.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We want to see your communication skills shine through, so make it easy for us to understand your qualifications and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. This ensures that your application is received and processed efficiently, and it gives you the best chance to showcase your fit for the role at Macmillan.
How to prepare for a job interview at Macmillan Cancer Support
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
As a General Counsel, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in commercial, regulatory, and governance matters. Brush up on the latest legal trends and be ready to discuss how they apply to Macmillan's mission and values.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Macmillan is looking for an inspiring leader. Prepare examples of how you've developed high-performing teams and fostered collaboration in previous roles. Highlight your ability to communicate with clarity and influence at all levels.
✨Understand Their Mission
Familiarise yourself with Macmillan's work supporting people living with cancer. Be prepared to discuss how your legal expertise can enhance their impact and align with their values. This shows genuine interest and commitment.
✨Prepare for Ethical Scenarios
Given the emphasis on ethics and integrity, think about potential ethical dilemmas you might face in this role. Be ready to discuss how you would approach these situations, demonstrating your sound judgement and commitment to integrity.
