Head of Legal in Leicester

Oakley Recruitment is working in partnership with an expanding organisation based in Coventry. This is an excellent opportunity to join the team as a Head of Legal on a full-time permanent basis.

Culture and Environment

The organisation offers a high-performing, collaborative environment where legal is viewed as a trusted strategic partner to the business. The culture is open, respectful, and commercially minded, encouraging constructive challenge, sound judgment, and pragmatic decision-making. As a member of the executive leadership team, the Head of Legal will work closely with senior stakeholders across the UK and wider group, influencing key decisions while operating with autonomy and integrity. This is an environment that values accountability, clear communication, and mutual respect, where expertise is recognised, contributions are valued, and individuals are supported to perform at their best in a fast-paced, regulated setting.

Personality

The ideal candidate will be a commercial, pragmatic, and highly credible legal professional with the confidence to operate at an executive level in a regulated, fast-paced environment. They will be collaborative and solutions-focused, able to communicate complex legal matters clearly to non-legal stakeholders. Highly organised and resilient, they will manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines with professionalism and integrity. With strong commercial awareness and high ethical standards, they will act as a trusted advisor to the business and wider group.

Reward

• Hybrid working: 2 days working from home, 3 days in the office
• 28 days holiday
• Family private medical insurance
• Annual bonus
• Contributory pension scheme
• Company car
• Free parking

Job Role:

Reporting to the Managing Director, with a functional reporting line to the Group Chief of Legal & Corporate Affairs. Acting as a key member of the UK executive management team, with responsibility for all UK legal matters and close collaboration with wider European group functions. Providing legal support and advice on local and cross-border transactions, as well as day-to-day legal matters, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, FCA regulations, and internal group policies. Advising on a broad range of corporate, commercial, compliance, and litigation matters, with a primary focus on drafting, negotiating, and finalising a wide variety of legal opinions and B2B contracts, including:

• Commercial agreements with business customers
• Agreements supporting finance functions (e.g. loan documentation)
• ICT agreements covering cloud and professional services, software licensing, digital and e-commerce platforms, and data management
• Agreements with insurance providers
• Supplier and procurement agreements
• Agreements supporting new business development initiatives

Providing advice on UK corporate governance, light company secretarial duties, and regulatory compliance, particularly within a consumer-facing, FCA-regulated environment. Working closely with commercial and compliance teams to deliver pragmatic, commercially focused legal solutions, often within tight deadlines.

Skills and experience:

• University full degree in law/ qualified barrister/solicitor
• Advanced contract drafting skills
• At least 5 years of previous experience in an international environment, such as in-house legal or in top-ranked law firms
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with both commercial colleagues and the wider group
• Motivated to work in a high-performance and complex environment
• Pragmatic, open-minded and commercial
• High ethical standards and integrity
• Team-oriented