MERJE are partnering exclusively on a Head of Legal with a large, established organisation with a significant UK presence and growing digital operations.
This is a high-profile senior leadership opportunity within a newly combined Legal & Compliance function. The role will provide commercially focused legal advice across the organisation, helping the business achieve its strategic objectives while proactively identifying and managing legal risk.
Working closely with senior leadership, including the CEO, Executive Committee and Board, the Head of Legal will play an important role in shaping legal strategy and developing a modern, effective and commercially minded in-house legal function.
The Role
This is a broad leadership position covering commercial law, corporate governance, M&A, intellectual property, disputes, property and legal operations.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Supporting senior leadership with strategic and commercially focused legal advice
- Developing and delivering the legal function’s strategy in line with wider business objectives
- Leading, developing and mentoring the in-house legal team
- Negotiating and drafting key commercial contracts, partnerships and supplier agreements
- Providing legal input into new products, markets and business initiatives
- Advising on M&A activity, due diligence and corporate transactions
- Overseeing corporate governance, Board matters and company secretarial requirements
- Identifying, assessing and mitigating legal risks across the organisation
- Managing commercial and customer disputes and litigation, working with external counsel where appropriate
- Overseeing legal matters relating to the commercial property portfolio
- Developing and managing the organisation’s intellectual property strategy, including trademarks, copyright, licensing and brand protection
- Managing relationships with external law firms and other legal service providers
- Managing the legal budget and external counsel spend
- Working closely with teams across Finance, HR, Product, Compliance and Marketing
Legal Operations & Technology
A key part of the role will be helping to modernise the legal function and improve the way legal services are delivered across the business.
The Head of Legal will drive the adoption of legal technology, AI and automation, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce turnaround times and create scalable processes.
This will include implementing appropriate legal technology, improving contract and matter management, developing templates and playbooks, enabling greater self-service across the business and introducing meaningful metrics to measure the performance of the legal function.
You will also ensure appropriate governance, confidentiality and data protection controls are maintained as new technologies are introduced.
About You
We are looking for an experienced commercial lawyer who combines strong technical knowledge with excellent commercial judgement and the confidence to operate at senior leadership and Board level.
You will ideally have:
- Qualification as a solicitor, barrister or equivalent, with a current practising certificate
- 7-10+ years’ PQE, including significant in-house experience
- A strong background in commercial and contract law
- Experience leading, managing and developing legal teams
- Strong commercial judgement and the ability to balance legal risk with business priorities
- Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills
- The confidence and credibility to advise senior executives and Board-level stakeholders
- Experience managing external counsel relationships and legal budgets
Experience supporting M&A and corporate transactions would be beneficial, alongside exposure to corporate governance and company secretarial matters.
Previous experience within a regulated industry would be desirable.
Additional experience in areas such as intellectual property, international operations, commercial property, legal technology, AI or process automation would also be advantageous.
What’s on Offer
This is an excellent opportunity to take on a senior and influential legal position within a substantial organisation, with the scope to shape the future direction and operating model of the legal function.
The package will include:
- Competitive senior-level base salary
- Performance-related bonus
- Pension scheme
- Private medical insurance
- Hybrid working arrangements
Head of Legal in Swindon employer: MERJE
Join a dynamic and innovative InsureTech company that prioritises compliance and regulatory excellence while fostering a collaborative and forward-thinking work culture. As the Head of Compliance, you will not only lead the UK compliance function but also enjoy flexible hybrid working arrangements, competitive salary packages, and ample opportunities for long-term career development in a high-growth environment. This is your chance to make a meaningful impact in a pivotal role at a company that values integrity and consumer protection.
