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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic legal team and advise on complex corporate matters.
- Company: Join a major European transport organisation with ambitious growth plans.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus eligibility, and hybrid working model.
- Why this job: Gain exceptional exposure to senior leadership and strategic decision-making.
- Qualifications: Qualified lawyer with strong in-house and private practice experience.
- Other info: Opportunity for continuous improvement and career development in a high-performing environment.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Location: Sunderland (Hybrid – 3 days in office)
Contract: FTC (months initially, maternity cover)
Start date: Mid-April to ensure thorough handover
Reports to: Group General Counsel & Company Secretary
Salary: Competitive salary along with bonus eligibility
Direct reports: 3
About the Organisation
We are partnered with a major European transport organisation operating across European countries and delivering millions of passenger journeys each year. With a dynamic shareholder, an ambitious growth agenda and significant upcoming corporate activity, this is a pivotal moment to join the business.
This maternity cover role sits at the centre of the Corporate Centre, reporting directly into the General Counsel and Company Secretary and working closely with a high‑calibre, sophisticated board. It offers exceptional exposure to senior leadership and strategic decision‑making.
The Role (Maternity Cover)
- Leadership of the Legal & Secretariat Function: Lead, develop and mentor a team of legal and company secretarial professionals. Foster a culture of operational excellence, best‑practice governance and strong risk management. Provide visible, people‑focused leadership within a highly engaged team.
- Corporate Centre Legal & Strategic Advisory: Advise senior leaders on complex corporate, commercial, regulatory and strategic matters. Support key initiatives including group reorganisations, technology transformations, refinancing, funding arrangements, general treasury support and intragroup lending. Lead contractual execution for major Corporate Centre projects including framework agreements, IP and IT. Manage external counsel and engage effectively with senior stakeholders across the business and shareholder representatives.
- Governance & Company Secretariat: Oversee governance, board administration and statutory compliance for the organisation's top‑tier board and its committees, and the Corporate Centre's funding and operational entities. Oversee governance for the organisation's Executive Management Committee led by the CEO. Serve as the senior governance conduit for the shareholder, including managing KYC and UBO requirements. Ensure compliance with legal obligations, regulatory filings and maintenance of corporate records.
- Close Partnership with a High‑Performing Board: This role provides substantial exposure to a sophisticated, internationally experienced board. You will work closely with the Executive Chair, CEO, senior executives and support independent non‑executive directors with backgrounds across major global transport, infrastructure and financial institutions.
- Technology, Strategy & Continuous Improvement: Support enhancements to legal and governance technology and reporting. Contribute to succession planning and continuous improvement across the wider legal function.
About You
- Experience & Expertise: Qualified lawyer with at least years' PQE. Strong in‑house experience supported by a solid private practice background. Experience handling complex, multi‑entity, multinational corporate or commercial matters.
- Leadership & Personal Attributes: Proven team leadership experience. Confident, resilient and able to challenge appropriately. Excellent communicator with strong stakeholder management skills. Pragmatic, commercially minded and collaborative.
head of legal in Sunderland employer: Taylor Root
Contact Detail:
Taylor Root Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land head of legal in Sunderland
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend legal conferences, seminars, or even local meet-ups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Ace the Informational Interview
Reach out to professionals in roles you aspire to and ask for a chat. This isn’t just about landing a job; it’s about learning from their experiences and getting advice on how to navigate your career path.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to meet potential employers, don’t hold back! Share your insights on recent legal trends or challenges in the transport sector. This shows you’re not just a candidate, but a thought leader in your field.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to check out our website for the latest job openings! Applying directly through us not only streamlines your application but also gives you a better chance of being noticed by our hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace head of legal in Sunderland
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 leadership experience and any relevant corporate or commercial matters you've handled. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this position. Share specific examples of your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Let us know what excites you about joining our organisation!
Showcase Your Leadership Style: Since this role involves leading a team, it's important to convey your leadership style in your application. Share experiences where you've mentored or developed others, and how you foster a culture of excellence. We love seeing candidates who can inspire and engage their teams!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our dynamic team. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Taylor Root
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your legal knowledge, especially around corporate governance and compliance. Be ready to discuss complex corporate matters and how you've handled them in the past. This role is all about strategic advisory, so think of examples where you've provided valuable insights to senior leaders.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a head of legal, you'll be leading a team, so it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership style. Prepare to share specific instances where you've mentored or developed your team. Highlight how you foster a culture of operational excellence and best practices in governance.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
This role involves working closely with senior executives and board members. Think about how you've effectively managed relationships with stakeholders in the past. Be prepared to discuss your approach to communication and collaboration, especially in high-pressure situations.
✨Be Ready for Strategic Discussions
Expect questions about your experience with strategic initiatives like group reorganisations or technology transformations. Have examples ready that showcase your ability to advise on these matters and how you've contributed to continuous improvement within a legal function.