Head of Legal in England

Sellick Partnership is delighted to be working with the Mining Remediation Authority to recruit a Head of Legal. This role will involve the day to day running of the Legal team, supporting public safety projects and environmental programmes across mining areas. You will provide clear, practical legal advice to protect the Authority's legal, reputational and financial position, with a strong focus on commercial, procurement and property matters. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking for that next step in their career or maybe someone who wants to explore options within the public sector that are outside of local government. The Mining Remediation Authority is a growing organisation with excellent opportunities, no day is the same in terms of the range of work that will come across your desk and they have a fantastic benefits package to top it all off!

Key responsibilities of the Head of Legal:

• Act as the Authority's supervisor under the Legal Services Act 2007 and provide legal advice across the organisation, including historical liabilities.
• Lead, develop and support the Legal team, driving continuous improvement and resilience.
• Manage external legal providers, ensuring value for money and effective partnerships.
• Deliver a hybrid in-house and external legal service to support both reactive matters and strategic programmes.
• Monitor legislative developments and advise on legal and compliance implications.
• Provide strategic guidance and manage key relationships with DESNZ, DEFRA and other government bodies.

General duties of the Head of Legal:

• Act in line with organisational values, governance requirements and customer service standards.
• Manage budgets, objectives and performance at team level.
• Maintain strong stakeholder relationships to support the Authority's objectives.
• Support improvement initiatives, research projects and statutory responsibilities.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as required.

Qualifications/experience of the Head of Legal:

• Qualified Solicitor or Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.
• Ongoing CPD compliance.
• Strong knowledge of procurement legislation, regulatory and property matters.
• Proven leadership and team development experience.
• Ability to draft and negotiate contracts and legal documentation.
• Confident communicator, able to explain complex issues clearly.
• Experience managing senior stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Willingness to travel occasionally.

Benefits of the Head of Legal:

• Pension scheme with a 28% employer contribution.
• Flexible working options including part-time and compressed hours.
• 27 days annual leave plus up to 6 additional days and 8 public holidays.
• Enhanced parental leave with up to 26 weeks' full pay, subject to eligibility.
• Support for professional development and one annual subscription.
• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support.
• Annual health check and £15 monthly wellbeing allowance.
• Free on-site parking and refreshments at the Mansfield office.

How to apply for the Head of Legal:

If you feel you have the right experience and would like to apply, please submit your application now. For a confidential discussion about the role or working at the Mining Remediation Authority, contact Sara Robinson at Sellick Partnership. Closing date: 23:59pm on Thursday 19th February 2026.

Sellick Partnership is proud to be an inclusive and accessible recruitment business and we support applications from candidates of all backgrounds and circumstances.