At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the legal function, support business growth, and manage external legal relationships.
- Company: Dynamic private equity-backed firm in the professional services sector.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunity to shape legal processes.
- Other info: Join a fast-paced environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be the first lawyer in a growing company and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with strong commercial contract experience and stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
Outstanding opportunity to be the first lawyer at a private equity backed business that focuses on the professional services space. This is a hands-on role for a lawyer who wants to make his/her mark at an expanding company and establish the legal function.
The role will act as the key internal legal lead, partnering closely with the executive team and operational leaders, whilst managing relationships with outsourced legal advisers who will continue to support on larger, more complex or specialist matters. This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys being close to the business, solving problems quickly, creating practical solutions and helping build scalable legal processes as the group continues to grow through acquisition and transformation.
Key Responsibilities- Corporate & Growth Activity
- Support business acquisitions and integration activity, including legal due diligence coordination.
- Assist with corporate governance and company secretarial matters where required.
- Work closely with senior stakeholders during periods of business change and transformation.
- Managing External Counsel
- Act as the primary internal contact for outsourced legal partners.
- Coordinate and manage external legal advisers on more complex or high-value matters.
- Ensure external legal spend is effectively managed and commercially appropriate.
- Commercial Contracts & Legal Support
- Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements, including:
- Client contracts
- Supplier agreements
- SaaS and technology agreements
- Partnership and service agreements
- Provide practical legal advice to business stakeholders on day-to-day operational matters.
- Support the business with contract management and legal administration processes.
- Employment & Operational Legal Matters
- Provide legal guidance on employment-related matters alongside the People team, including:
- Employment contracts
- Policy reviews
- Employee relations matters
- Settlement agreements
- TUPE considerations
- Organisational change projects
- Support on compliance and governance matters across the group.
- Risk & Compliance
- Identify legal and commercial risks across the business and work with stakeholders to implement practical mitigation plans.
- Help ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations and internal governance frameworks.
- Support the maintenance and development of legal templates, processes and playbooks.
- Process Improvement
- Build scalable and efficient legal processes suitable for a growing group structure.
- Create practical guidance and training for operational teams to improve legal awareness and reduce risk.
- Help establish a commercially pragmatic legal function that enables the business rather than slows it down.
- Qualified solicitor in England & Wales (or equivalent jurisdiction).
- Strong experience in commercial contracts and day-to-day business legal support.
- Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial and evolving environment.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Experience working with outsourced legal providers or external counsel desirable.
- Exposure to employment law and M&A activity would be advantageous.
- Legal processes become more streamlined and scalable.
- External counsel is used effectively and efficiently.
- Stakeholders receive clear, pragmatic advice at pace.
- Legal risk is managed appropriately without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.
This is a rare opportunity to help shape and build an in-house legal function within a growing and ambitious group business. The role offers broad exposure across commercial, operational and strategic matters, whilst remaining highly hands-on and embedded within the day-to-day business.
Head of Legal in City of London employer: Motus Recruitment
Join a dynamic and ambitious private equity-backed business as the Head of Legal, where you will have the unique opportunity to shape and establish the legal function from the ground up. Our flexible hybrid work culture promotes a collaborative environment, allowing you to work closely with executive teams and operational leaders while enjoying the benefits of professional growth and development. With a focus on practical solutions and streamlined processes, this role is perfect for those looking to make a significant impact in a fast-paced, evolving landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Legal in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the legal field, especially those who have experience in private equity or professional services. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their recent acquisitions and how you can contribute to their growth. Tailor your answers to show how your skills align with their needs—this will make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got a streamlined process that makes it easy for you to showcase your skills. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Legal in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of Legal role. Highlight your experience in commercial contracts, stakeholder management, and any relevant legal processes you've implemented.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this hands-on role. Share specific examples of how you've solved legal problems in fast-paced environments and how you can help shape our legal function.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since strong communication is key in this role, ensure your application is clear and concise. Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically to demonstrate your ability to provide pragmatic legal advice.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Motus Recruitment
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of commercial contracts, employment law, and M&A activity. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you've successfully navigated these areas, as this will show your expertise and confidence.
✨Understand the Business
Research the company’s structure, recent acquisitions, and their operational model. This will help you demonstrate how you can add value as the Head of Legal by aligning legal strategies with business goals. Show them you’re not just a lawyer, but a strategic partner.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Management
Think about how you’ve managed relationships with senior stakeholders in the past. Be ready to share examples of how you’ve provided clear, pragmatic advice under pressure. This role requires strong communication skills, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be prepared to discuss how you approach problem-solving in a fast-paced environment. Think of scenarios where you’ve created practical solutions or improved legal processes. Highlighting your ability to streamline operations will resonate well with the interviewers.
