General Legal Counsel

Gresham; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative firm is seeking a seasoned General Counsel to join their team, providing strategic legal guidance across various operations. This role is perfect for someone with extensive experience in fintech and a strong grasp of UK and international legal frameworks. As the chief legal advisor, you will oversee compliance, manage legal disputes, and collaborate with key stakeholders to drive strategic initiatives. This hybrid position offers a unique opportunity to influence decision-making at the executive level while promoting ethical business practices. If you are a self-motivated legal expert looking to make a significant impact, this role is for you.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor or barrister with strong academic background and 8+ years experience.
• Experience in fintech, financial services, or technology sectors is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal advice on corporate governance and regulatory compliance.
• Oversee drafting and negotiation of contracts, ensuring legal standards are met.

Skills

UK Solicitor or Barrister Qualification

8+ Years Post-Qualification Experience

Fintech Expertise

Negotiation Skills

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

In-House Experience

Education

Strong Academic Background in Law

Job description

We are seeking a seasoned General Counsel to support our strategic objectives. The General Counsel will serve as the chief legal advisor to the executive team, providing comprehensive legal guidance across all aspects of the company's operations. This role requires a strategic thinker who can work independently, with preferably, but not necessarily, expertise in fintech and a strong understanding of UK and international legal frameworks.

The role will be hybrid, based across one of our UK offices in Bristol, Southampton, or London.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

1. Provide strategic legal advice to the executive team on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, data protection, and contractual matters.
2. Oversee the drafting, negotiation, and execution of contracts with clients, including software licensing, SaaS agreements, vendors, and partner agreements, ensuring alignment with company objectives and legal standards.
3. Monitor and ensure compliance with applicable legislation and industry standards, proactively addressing potential legal risks, including intellectual property, data protection, and contractual issues.
4. Manage compliance with privacy legislation, including GDPR, and assist in developing and implementing privacy policies and processes.
5. Manage and resolve legal disputes, liaising with external counsel and representing the company's interests in legal proceedings.
6. Develop and implement internal policies and procedures to promote legal compliance and ethical business practices, including providing training on legal topics such as privacy, contract management, and intellectual property rights.
7. Collaborate with sales and marketing teams, leveraging negotiation skills to drive strategic initiatives and provide legal insights for informed decision-making.

Key Skills

1. Qualified solicitor or barrister in the UK with a strong academic background.
2. Minimum of 8 years post-qualification experience, with significant exposure to fintech, financial services, or technology sectors.
3. In-house experience within a corporate environment is highly desirable.
4. Exceptional analytical, negotiation, and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
5. Ability to manage various legal issues and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced, growing company.
6. Strong negotiation skills and the ability to navigate complex legal and business issues.
7. Proven experience in leading and developing legal teams with a collaborative and proactive approach.

Attributes

• Self-motivated with the ability to work autonomously and collaboratively.
• Strong attention to detail and the capacity to work independently and as part of a team.

Key Stakeholders

• Reports to the Chief Finance Officer.
• Senior Management Team.