Interim Group Head of Legal in London

Interim Group Head of Legal in London

London Temporary 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead legal strategy and support corporate activities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Company: Valeo Foods Group, a rapidly growing food company with over 90 brands.
  • Benefits: Opportunity to influence key decisions and work with senior leadership.
  • Other info: Join a culture of accountability, agility, and teamwork while driving sustainable practices.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic, entrepreneurial business during maternity cover.
  • Qualifications: Senior qualified lawyer with strong commercial and corporate law experience.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

Valeo Foods Group is one of Europe’s fastest-growing food companies, specialising in sweets, snacks and treats. We operate in over 100 countries serving major retailers, discounters, e-commerce, convenience stores, wholesalers, and foodservice operators. With revenues exceeding €1.8 billion, we employ over 5,400 people across more than 30 facilities in the UK, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovakia, Czech, and Canada.

To bring our purpose to life, we uphold five core behaviours that define how we work and what we stand for:

  • Accountability
  • Agility
  • Disciplined
  • Transparency
  • Teamwork

We are committed to building a sustainable future for our people, clients, communities, and the planet. We drive efforts to reduce environmental impact, invest in health and safety initiatives, enhance training and development, and nurture an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

We’re looking for an experienced, commercially minded legal leader to join Valeo Foods on an interim basis, stepping into a key Group role during a period of maternity cover. This isn’t a “care and maintenance” role; it’s an opportunity to come in, provide continuity, and keep momentum across a fast-moving, entrepreneurial business. You’ll be a trusted partner to the Group CFO and senior leadership team, helping the business navigate risk while continuing to deliver at pace.

What you’ll be doing:

  • Acting as the principal legal adviser to the executive and senior leadership team
  • Leading the legal function across the UK, CEE and Bulgaria, providing direction, clarity and support to a well-established team
  • Supporting a range of corporate activity, including M&A, strategic projects and commercial initiatives
  • Ensuring pragmatic, solutions-focused legal advice that enables delivery rather than slows it down
  • Maintaining strong governance and risk management, with clear visibility of key issues and decisions
  • Managing external advisors effectively, ensuring high-quality, commercial advice delivered efficiently
  • Keeping a close pulse on emerging risks across the group and proactively managing them

Qualifications:

  • A senior qualified lawyer with broad commercial experience, ideally within an international, FMCG business
  • Strong track record across corporate and commercial law, including M&A
  • Someone who can hit the ground running, get up to speed quickly and operate with limited ambiguity
  • A commercial thinker, pragmatic, solutions-led and focused on enabling the business
  • Experience working closely with senior stakeholders and influencing at leadership level
  • Comfortable operating hands-on, from strategic input through to delivery

This is a fantastic opportunity to step into a visible, high-impact Group role, where you’ll play a key part in ensuring the business continues to deliver against its ambitions.

Interim Group Head of Legal in London employer: Valeo Foods

Valeo Foods Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and entrepreneurial work environment that fosters accountability, agility, and teamwork. With a commitment to employee growth and sustainability, we provide ample opportunities for professional development while ensuring a supportive and inclusive culture. Join us in making everyday moments taste better as part of a rapidly expanding company with a strong presence across Europe and beyond.

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Contact Details:

Valeo Foods Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Interim Group Head of Legal in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have a lead or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching Valeo Foods Group and its core behaviours. Show us how your experience aligns with their values of accountability, agility, and teamwork. We love seeing candidates who fit our culture!

Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your legal expertise can help Valeo navigate risks and drive growth. Keep it concise and focus on solutions – we want to see your commercial mindset in action.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Valeo team.

We think you need these skills to ace Interim Group Head of Legal in London

Commercial Law
Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)
Corporate Law
Risk Management
Governance
Stakeholder Engagement
Legal Advisory

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the role of Interim Group Head of Legal. Highlight your commercial legal experience and any relevant achievements in corporate law, especially in fast-paced environments like FMCG.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for Valeo Foods. Mention your ability to provide pragmatic legal advice and how you can support the business in navigating risks while maintaining momentum.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves working closely with senior leadership, make sure to highlight your experience in influencing and advising at that level. Share examples of how you've successfully led legal teams and managed external advisors in previous roles.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Valeo Foods!

How to prepare for a job interview at Valeo Foods

Know Your Legal Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your corporate and commercial law knowledge, especially around M&A. Valeo Foods is looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so be ready to discuss relevant cases or experiences that showcase your expertise.

Understand the Business

Familiarise yourself with Valeo Foods Group's operations, brands, and market position. Knowing how they navigate risks and opportunities in the FMCG sector will help you demonstrate your commercial mindset during the interview.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples of how you've led legal teams and influenced senior stakeholders in previous roles. Valeo Foods values teamwork and accountability, so highlight instances where you've successfully collaborated and driven results.

Be Solutions-Focused

Valeo Foods wants a pragmatic legal leader who can provide solutions rather than just identify problems. Think of scenarios where you've turned challenges into opportunities and be ready to share those stories.