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- Tasks: Lead the legal function, oversee compliance, and support strategic growth in a healthcare group.
- Company: Join a leading multi-site healthcare organisation focused on patient care and values.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Be a trusted adviser to senior leaders while shaping legal strategy in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor with 7+ years' experience and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive, values-driven workplace.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
W&P Partners Legal Recruitment is proud to partner with a leading multi-site healthcare group on the appointment of a Head of Legal (12-Month Fixed Term Contract). This is an excellent opportunity to lead an established in-house legal function within a values-led, patient-focused organisation operating across the UK and Ireland. Based in London (hybrid working available), this role sits within the senior leadership framework and reports directly to the Group CFO.
The Head of Legal will act as a trusted strategic adviser to the Executive Leadership Team, supporting commercial growth while ensuring robust governance, regulatory compliance, and effective risk management across the group.
The Role
The Head of Legal will have overall responsibility for the legal function during a period of maternity leave, overseeing all legal and risk matters across the organisation. This includes leading an established in-house team and managing external advisers to ensure the business receives high-quality, commercially focused legal support. This is a hands-on leadership role combining strategic oversight with practical delivery in a regulated, operationally complex environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and oversee all commercial, corporate, regulatory, employment, contentious, and data protection matters across the group.
- Develop and deliver the organisation’s legal strategy, ensuring alignment with broader business objectives.
- Manage and mentor the in-house Legal team, ensuring effective prioritisation and high performance.
- Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements and strategic contracts.
- Provide pragmatic, solutions-focused legal advice to the Executive Leadership Team and senior stakeholders across Operations, Finance, HR/People, Procurement, Marketing, and Clinical Governance.
- Oversee dispute resolution and manage contentious matters, working closely with external counsel where required.
- Ensure strong data protection and regulatory compliance frameworks are maintained and continuously improved.
- Support strategic projects, corporate initiatives, and governance matters across the group.
- Select, instruct, and manage external legal advisers, ensuring quality of advice and effective control of legal spend.
Qualifications & Experience
- Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) with a minimum of 7 years’ PQE.
- Experience gained in-house and/or within a reputable private practice.
- Proven experience operating at Head of Legal level, including supervising or leading legal professionals.
- Strong experience managing a broad mix of commercial, corporate, regulatory, employment, and contentious matters independently.
- Demonstrated experience managing external legal advisers and controlling legal budgets.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to operate confidently at Board and Executive level.
- Experience within healthcare, or other regulated sectors is advantageous but not essential.
- Commercially astute, pragmatic, and comfortable balancing legal risk with operational objectives in a fast-paced environment.
W&P Partners Legal Recruitment is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
Head of Legal - 12 month FTC in City of London employer: W&P Partners Recruitment
Contact Detail:
W&P Partners Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Legal - 12 month FTC in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who have experience in healthcare or regulated sectors. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that might not even be advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s values and recent projects. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around governance and compliance. We want to see you shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the role. It keeps you on their radar and shows your enthusiasm.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process! It’s designed to make your application stand out. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Legal - 12 month FTC in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Head of Legal role. Highlight your experience in managing legal functions and working with senior leadership, as this is key for us.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this position. Share specific examples of how you've led legal teams and navigated complex regulatory environments to show us your expertise.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading an established in-house team, make sure to emphasise your leadership style and any mentoring experiences. We want to see how you can inspire and manage a team effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right people quickly and helps us keep track of all candidates efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at W&P Partners Recruitment
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the key legal areas mentioned in the job description, like commercial, corporate, and regulatory matters. Be ready to discuss your experience in these areas and how it aligns with the needs of the organisation.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
As this role involves leading an in-house team, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully managed and mentored legal professionals in the past. Highlight your approach to prioritisation and performance management.
✨Understand the Business
Familiarise yourself with the healthcare sector and the specific challenges it faces. This will help you demonstrate your ability to provide pragmatic, solutions-focused legal advice that supports commercial growth while ensuring compliance.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since you'll be working closely with the Executive Leadership Team, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Prepare to discuss how you've effectively managed relationships with senior stakeholders in previous roles.