Head of Legal

Manufacturing Technology Centre; Coventry; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job description

We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced in-house Commercial Lawyer to join this growth business as Head of Legal.

Reporting into the Chief Finance Officer, you’ll be a key member of the MTC Senior Management Team, supporting the growth and stability of MTC by providing first class legal management and advice.

The MTC are a high growth, groundbreaking manufacturing research and training organisation. As Head of Legal, you’ll lead the legal function and have responsibility for everything legal and contract related, from contributing to commercial strategy, leading commercial and legal negotiations to bespoke contract drafting.

You will evaluate and manage legal risk, creating options to resolve complex problems, to facilitate and enable the company to maintain its integrity, minimise and mitigate undue legal risk exposure, operate smoothly, and enhance its position.

We’re looking for a strong leader, who will lead and develop a high performing team to deliver clear, pragmatic legal advice to meet business needs, and deliver on our legal and business strategy.

You’ll cover all legal activities in support of the company and its group’s full range of trading and other activities. The MTC’s commercial portfolio is diverse and varied ranging from multi-million-pound contracts to smaller strategic alliances.

Your key responsibilities will include:

1. Act as a trusted business partner to key stakeholders, including the Executive team, Board of Directors, External Stakeholders, Functional Leaders and Teams.
2. Lead and develop the legal team and co-ordinate all training to stay up to date on relevant legal topics and best practice.
3. Develop and implement the company's legal strategy to support business objectives and mitigate risks.
4. Play a critical role in managing and advising on complex commercial contracting matters.
5. Support various steering committees to provide legal insight in relation to business initiatives and challenges.
6. Provide advice to the business on a wide range of legal and compliance topics, including IP protection and infringement, subsidy control, product safety and public procurement.
7. Lead on complex or strategic transactions, including key funding agreements, M&A activity and property acquisitions.
8. Provide training and self-help tools to the business to maximise the efficiency of contracting activity.
9. Develop and implement legal policies and procedures to mitigate risk and ensure best practices.
10. Drive compliance with all relevant laws and regulations, including corporate governance, employment law, intellectual property, and contract law.
11. Select and manage external counsel to provide specialist support where required.
12. Data Protection Officer - act as the Data Protection Officer for the Group, being first point of contact for data subjects and the regulator, manage the fulfilment of data subject rights and developing all policies, procedures and training to ensure compliance.
13. Company Secretary - full responsibility for Company Secretarial duties for the Group, including providing legal expertise to the MTC Board and ensuring the company complies with legal, statutory and regulatory requirements and maintains high standards of corporate governance.

Who we’re looking for:

We’re looking for a highly experienced, qualified Solicitor with previous experience of leading a legal team.

You’ll have previous experience of working in-house, preferably in a large engineering or technology business and significant experience of commercial contracts, including complex high value transactions.

You’ll also have:

1. Understanding of legal and strategic considerations in relation to intellectual property.
2. Knowledge of GDPR and experience of implementing and overseeing a regime for compliance.
3. Understanding of legal and strategic considerations in relation to corporate structures.
4. Experience in any of the following specialisms would also be desirable: IP, Regulatory, Real Estate, Public Procurement or Construction.
5. Natural leadership and management skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with both legal experts and those with novice knowledge.
6. Proven analytical and problem-solving skills, demonstrating the ability to assess and understand complex legal issues and provide strategic advice.
7. Excellent business acumen, understanding business operations and objectives to provide legal advice that aligns with business strategy.

Reference and Security Checks:

Due to the nature of our business, all employment is subject to satisfactory references being obtained alongside a level of security clearance checks.