Associate Director of In-House Legal

Job Purpose
This role involves managing the In-House Legal and HR functions for the Peninsula Group, based out of the Manchester Head Office, as well as serving as UK General Counsel, providing expert advice on any contentious and non-contentious commercial, intellectual property, immigration and employment law matters that arise within the Peninsula Group of companies.

Job Overview
We are looking for a bright and confident lawyer with strong commercial and employment law experience and a broad general legal knowledge, to lead a series of dynamic teams within our Group In-House Legal and HR functions. The ideal candidate will be an experienced lawyer and operational leader and will relish assuming responsibility for a number of teams in a fast-paced but supportive environment. The focus is on great service and care for our internal customers, along with a firm commercial approach towards the Group’s legal and risk management strategy. We are looking for someone with exceptional communication skills to provide commercial and pragmatic advice to a range of stakeholders across the Group.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Leading the day-to-day operations of our legal, internal HR, procurement, compliance and e-learning functions.
• Undertaking ongoing analysis of departmental performance to drive continuous improvement.
• Producing and analysing management information.
• Providing support and leadership to a team of professionals and first and second line managers.
• Negotiating, drafting and reviewing commercial contracts, ensuring that they meet the Group’s commercial needs and comply with relevant legal requirements.
• Have conduct of civil litigation, including negotiating settlements, attendance at ADR, drafting pleadings and, from time to time, appearing in court.
• Liaise with our PII insurers in relation to ongoing litigation and maintain and manage a global bordereaux.
• Manage the Group Risk Strategy, engaging regularly with relevant stakeholders and internal and external auditors.
• Advising Senior Managers on internal HR and Employment Law matters including assisting or conducting internal hearings such as investigations, grievances, capability or disciplinary proceedings and appeals.
• Taking lead on FCA compliance and quality assurance.
• Trusted advisor to the Group Directors and General Counsel on Employment Litigation matters, Dispute Resolution and employment issues, such as TUPE, arising within potential Mergers and Acquisitions as well as FCA and SRA compliance.
• Reporting on the progress of live issues to the General Counsel, ensuring that a proactive approach to all live issues is maintained.

Person Specification

• Dynamic leader with strong business acumen, operational management skills and a commercial mindset.
• Experienced lawyer with strong and relevant pre or post qualified experience in commercial and employment law.
• A broad range of knowledge and skills across a wide legal spectrum.
• An able and confident negotiator.
• Excellent workload and deadline management skills.
• A commercially focused mindset with the ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders.
• Willingness to continually learn new competencies and areas of law.
• A strong work ethic and a positive attitude towards teamworking.
• Previous intellectual property, immigration and data protection experience.
• A background in risk and compliance.

Why Join our Team?
This is a really great opportunity to assume significant responsibility from the start of your tenure and get real job satisfaction from problem solving, developing relationships with Senior Managers and Board Members across the Group. This is a significant opportunity for career development, but whatever your starting point or experience, you are guaranteed to grow and develop your knowledge and abilities and will feel that you are making a real difference in a commercially focused, service-led business.