Head of Legal - Non Forecasted Volume

Location: London (hybrid working 3 office days per week)

Employment Type: Full time / Permanent

Additional Benefits: Annual Bonus, Cash-Car Allowance & Private Medical Insurance

Thought The AA only provide roadside assistance? Think again. For over 100 years, we’ve continued to evolve and adapt. Today, as the nation’s number one motoring organisation, we offer a range of excellent products and services to millions of customers from roadside assistance to home and motor insurance as well as providing the latest driving technologies.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced legal leader to play a key role at the heart of a large, fast-moving UK business. Acting as the trusted legal adviser to senior business leaders, you will become an integral member of the legal leadership team. You’ll provide commercially focused advice across complex commercial, operational and technology matters including strategic partnerships, procurement, digital services, customer propositions, AI governance, intellectual property, disputes and strategic business activity. You’ll lead and develop a talented legal team, shaping how legal support is delivered and helping the business make confident, well-informed decisions at pace.

What will I be doing?

• Providing trusted, commercially focused legal advice across a broad range of operational, commercial and regulatory matters, helping the business make confident and well-informed decisions.
• Acting as a trusted adviser to senior business leaders, balancing legal risk with commercial objectives and supporting strategic decision-making.
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating high-value, complex commercial contracts, ensuring the business is protected while securing strong commercial outcomes.
• Advising on strategic business activity, which may include acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures and other significant commercial arrangements.
• Supporting strong corporate governance, including Board and Committee matters where appropriate.
• Leading, coaching and developing a high-performing legal team, creating an inclusive, collaborative and forward-thinking environment.
• Overseeing key legal matters handled across the team, providing challenge, guidance and quality assurance where appropriate.
• Supporting effective legal operations, best practice and continuous improvement, including the use of technology and AI to improve efficiency.
• Building strong relationships across the business and with external partners, suppliers and legal providers, ensuring legal support is pragmatic, accessible and cost effective.
• Managing relationships with external legal advisers to ensure high-quality, cost-effective support.

What do I need?

• A qualified solicitor with strong post-qualification experience, bringing a proven track record of providing expert legal advice in a commercial, pragmatic and business-focused way.
• Significant experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts, with a strong understanding of contract and consumer law.
• Experience acting as a trusted adviser to executive and senior leadership teams, with the confidence to influence, challenge constructively and build trusted relationships across the business.
• Experience leading legal teams, managing day-to-day operations and supporting the development of people through coaching, upskilling and collaborative ways of working.
• A strong track record of leading legal operations improvement, including using technology and AI to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of legal service delivery while maintaining appropriate governance and quality standards.
• Experience leading complex or large-scale projects, including working across different business areas to deliver successful outcomes.
• The ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and respond positively to new challenges, developing practical and creative solutions to legal issues.

Additional information

We’re always looking to recognise and reward our employees for the work they do. As a valued member of The AA team, you’ll have access to a range of benefits including:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays + holiday buying scheme
• Worksave pension scheme with up to 7% employer contribution
• Free AA breakdown membership from Day 1 plus 50% discount for family and friends
• Discounts on AA products including car and home insurance
• Employee discount scheme that gives you access to a car salary sacrifice scheme plus great discounts on healthcare, shopping, holidays and more
• Company funded life assurance
• Diverse learning and development opportunities to support you to progress in your career
• Dedicated Employee Assistance Programme and a 24/7 remote GP service for you and your family

Plus, so much more! We’re an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from everyone. The AA values diversity and the difference this brings to our culture and our customers. We actively seek people from diverse backgrounds to join us and become part of an inclusive company where you can be yourself, be empowered to be your best and feel like you truly belong. We have five communities to bring together people with shared characteristics and backgrounds and drive positive change.