At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide legal support for venture capital transactions and advise on portfolio company matters.
- Company: Join Octopus, a mission-driven investment firm backing transformative ideas and entrepreneurs.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid working, wellness support, and generous parental leave.
- Other info: Embrace a diverse and inclusive workplace committed to your growth and well-being.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that empowers founders and shapes the future of innovative businesses.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with venture capital experience and strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Company Description: At Octopus, we’re entrepreneurs and we’re investors, on a mission to back the people, ideas and industries that will change the world. We think working here is great, but we’re understandably biased.
Job Description: The OI Legal team provides legal support across Octopus Investments, partnering with business teams to help deliver commercial outcomes while appropriately managing legal risk. The team works closely with stakeholders across investments, operations, finance, risk and compliance and plays a key role in supporting Octopus Investments' growth and strategic objectives. This role will be primarily dedicated to supporting the Octopus Ventures part of the business. Octopus Ventures backs founders and businesses seeking to build transformative companies.
Job Overview: We are seeking a commercially minded Legal Counsel to support Octopus Ventures' investment activities. This is an opportunity for a lawyer with strong venture capital transaction experience to work closely with the Ventures investment teams and help us back the people and ideas that will change the world. Reporting to the Lead Venture Legal Counsel, the successful candidate will play a key role in delivering practical, commercial legal advice across the investment lifecycle. The role will involve leading investment transactions, supporting portfolio company matters and exits, managing external legal counsel, and helping scale the delivery of legal support across the Ventures business. The successful candidate will also assist with the establishment and operation of retail and institutional investment fund structures.
Key stakeholders will include investment professionals, founders, management teams, portfolio companies and external advisers.
Responsibilities:
- Provide legal oversight of venture transactions: Oversee new investment transactions from term sheet through to completion, ensuring efficient execution, effective risk management, and alignment with commercial objectives.
- Manage external counsel and key stakeholders, providing strategic legal guidance on material issues and investment documentation.
- Support portfolio activity: Advise on follow-on investments, portfolio company matters, shareholder issues, secondary transactions and exits.
- Provide commercial legal advice: Deliver pragmatic, risk-based advice to investment professionals, founders and management teams.
- Project manage transactions: Coordinate internal stakeholders and external legal counsel to support efficient transaction execution and effective management of legal spend.
- Build trusted stakeholder relationships: Work closely with investment teams and become a key legal partner to the Ventures business.
- Drive process improvement: Identify opportunities to improve legal delivery through standardisation, automation and operational efficiencies.
- Contribute to strategic legal initiatives: As part of the wider OI Legal team, support strategic business initiatives, cross-functional projects and legal function priorities.
- Leverage legal technology and AI: Support the adoption and use of AI and legal technology tools to improve workflows and legal service delivery.
- Contribute to legal knowledge and best practice: Support the ongoing development of legal precedents, know-how and internal guidance materials.
Qualifications:
- Core Competencies:
- Commercial judgement: Provides practical, solutions-oriented advice, balancing legal risk with commercial objectives in a fast-paced investment environment.
- Relationship building: Builds strong and trusted relationships with investment professionals, founders, management teams and external advisers.
- Ownership and accountability: Takes responsibility for matters from inception to completion, manages competing priorities and delivers high-quality outcomes with a high degree of autonomy.
- Communication and influence: Communicates clearly and effectively with a range of stakeholders, translating complex legal issues into practical business advice.
- Innovation and continuous improvement: Demonstrates curiosity and a willingness to embrace AI, legal technology and new ways of working to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
- Team Contribution: Acts as a positive contributor to team culture, builds strong working relationships and actively supports colleagues. Brings energy, humility and a collaborative mindset that helps create an enjoyable and high-performing working environment.
- Essential Qualifications:
- Qualified solicitor with a minimum of four years' post-qualification experience.
- Strong experience advising on venture capital transactions with experience acting for venture capital, growth equity or private equity investors.
- Proven ability to manage transactions independently and work directly with senior stakeholders.
- Strong drafting, negotiation and project management skills.
- Experience using legal technology and AI tools to improve ways of working.
- Exposure to both retail fund structures and institutional investment fund structures.
Preferred Experience:
- Previous in-house legal experience, ideally within an investment manager, fund manager or high-growth business.
- Experience supporting M&A transactions and company exits.
- Exposure to secondary transactions.
Additional Information: What we offer: A competitive salary, bonus, pension and share incentive plan, untracked holiday, hybrid working – three days in the office, two days from home, Anchor (our wellness hub) which includes Headspace, one to one coaching through Wellness Cloud, Digital GP, employee assistance program & more, up to 6 months paid parental leave regardless of gender, life insurance, critical illness cover and income protection, private medical insurance for you and your family, electric vehicle leasing, the option to work overseas up to a month per year.
Our Values: At our core, we believe that how a company behaves is just as important as what it does. That’s why we chose to become an accredited B Corp and to change our Articles of Association so that the interests of all our stakeholders – employees, customers, communities, environment and shareholders – are considered in every decision we make. We are committed to building a workplace where diversity is valued, and inclusion is a priority. By providing equal opportunities for growth and development, we embrace and celebrate all races, genders, religions, sexual orientations, ages, disabilities, and socio-economic backgrounds. We believe teams achieve their best when every member feels safe, respected and empowered to be their authentic selves.
We're proud to be disability confident and are committed to supporting candidates with a disability, including neurodiversity and mental health conditions, throughout the recruitment process. Applicants are welcome to opt-in to the disability confident scheme as part of our application process. If you require any adjustments to the interview process, we’ll be happy to accommodate where possible.
Legal Counsel - Ventures in London employer: Octopus
At Octopus, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our team members benefit from extensive professional development opportunities, competitive remuneration, and a supportive environment that encourages personal growth. Located in the heart of the UK real estate sector, we provide our employees with unique access to exciting projects and a chance to make a meaningful impact in the industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Counsel - Ventures in London
✨Get Involved in Law Societies
Join local law societies and attend their events – they're often a goldmine for networking and job opportunities in the legal field. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other budding lawyers and experienced solicitors who could provide vital insights and connections.
✨Tap into Online Legal Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online platforms like LinkedIn and specific legal forums. Get active in discussions or share your thoughts on recent legal developments – this not only builds your visibility but also showcases your passion and knowledge in law.
✨Attend Career Fairs and Workshops
Look out for career fairs and workshops specifically focused on law. Many law firms, including Octopus, will be scouting for fresh talent, so bring your A-game and don’t shy away from making a memorable impression.
✨Leverage Your University’s Career Services
If you’re still in university or have recently graduated, latch onto your career services! They often have connections with law firms looking for graduates and can guide you through the application process tailored for the legal sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Counsel - Ventures in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Legal Knowledge:When applying for a full-time role in legal services at Octopus, make sure to demonstrate your understanding of key legal principles and areas of law relevant to the position. Include any specific coursework, modules, or certifications, like LPC or BPTC qualifications, that showcase your legal expertise directly on your CV.
Showcase Your Research Skills:In the legal field, strong research skills are crucial. Use your application to illustrate how you've utilised these skills in past studies or work experiences – whether that's through past internships or significant projects. Mention any legal databases or tools you’re proficient in, as this can give you an edge.
Tailor That Cover Letter!:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make it personal by expressing your genuine interest in Octopus and the specific role of Legal Counsel - Ventures. Talk about why you want to be part of their team, how your unique experiences align with their values, and why you’re passionate about the legal sector.
Stay Formal but Friendly:While we all know the legal world can be pretty formal, don’t be afraid to let a bit of personality shine through in your written application. Use a respectful tone, but feel free to inject a little warmth; this approach can help you stand out and show you're a great fit for Octopus’s culture!
How to prepare for a job interview at Octopus
✨Know Your Legal Principles
Brush up on foundational legal principles relevant to the specific area of law you’re applying for, whether it’s corporate, criminal, or family law. We might get asked situational questions to test your knowledge, so being articulate about key concepts will make you stand out.
✨Be Ready for Case Studies
Full-time legal roles often involve case studies during interviews. Prepare to analyse a hypothetical case and discuss your approach to it. Practising this with a peer or mentor can help us refine our reasoning and articulate a solid legal argument.
✨Show Off Your Research Skills
As legal professionals, strong research skills are a must. Have examples ready of how you've effectively used legal databases or conducted thorough legal research in your past experiences. It's a great way to demonstrate your readiness for the role at Octopus.
✨Exude Professionalism and Confidence
In the legal field, professionalism is key. During the interview, we should maintain good eye contact and communicate clearly to show that we’re not just knowledgeable, but also confident. This can make a positive impression on your potential colleagues at Octopus.
