Head of Legal

Oakley Recruitment; Coventry; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency in Coventry seeks a Head of Legal for a full-time permanent position. This role involves providing legal support for various transactions, advising on corporate matters, and collaborating closely with the executive management team. Ideal candidates will have a law degree, advanced contract drafting skills, and 5+ years of experience in a fast-paced, international environment. The position offers a hybrid working model, 28 days holiday, and additional benefits including private medical insurance and an annual bonus.

Benefits

28 days holiday

Family private medical insurance

Annual bonus

Contributory pension scheme

Company car

Free parking

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of previous experience in an international environment.
• Proven ability to manage tight deadlines effectively.
• Strong ethical standards and integrity.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal support for local and cross-border transactions.
• Advise on corporate, commercial, compliance, and litigation matters.
• Draft and finalize a variety of legal opinions and B2B contracts.

Skills

Advanced contract drafting skills

Exceptional communication skills

Ability to manage multiple priorities

Collaborative teamwork

Commercial awareness

Education

University full degree in law / qualified barrister / solicitor

Job description

Oakley Recruitment is working in partnership with an expanding organisation based in Coventry. This is an excellent opportunity to join the team as a Head of Legal on a full-time permanent basis

Culture and Environment

The organisation offers a high-performing, collaborative environment where legal is viewed as a trusted strategic partner to the business. The culture is open, respectful, and commercially minded, encouraging constructive challenge, sound judgment, and pragmatic decision-making. As a member of the executive leadership team, the Head of Legal will work closely with senior stakeholders across the UK and wider group, influencing key decisions while operating with autonomy and integrity. This is an environment that values accountability, clear communication, and mutual respect, where expertise is recognised, contributions are valued, and individuals are supported to perform at their best in a fast-paced, regulated setting.

Personality

The ideal candidate will be a commercial, pragmatic, and highly credible legal professional with the confidence to operate at an executive level in a regulated, fast-paced environment. They will be collaborative and solutions-focused, able to communicate complex legal matters clearly to non-legal stakeholders.

Highly organised and resilient, they will manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines with professionalism and integrity. With strong commercial awareness and high ethical standards, they will act as a trusted advisor to the business and wider group.

Reward

Hybrid working : 2 days working from home, 3 days in the office

28 days holiday

Family private medical insurance

Annual bonus

Contributory pension scheme

Company car

Free parking

Job Role

Reporting to the Managing Director, with a functional reporting line to the Group Chief of Legal & Corporate Affairs

Acting as a key member of the UK executive management team, with responsibility for all UK legal matters and close collaboration with wider European group functions

Providing legal support and advice on local and cross-border transactions, as well as day-to-day legal matters, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, FCA regulations, and internal group policies

Advising on a broad range of corporate, commercial, compliance, and litigation matters, with a primary focus on drafting, negotiating, and finalising a wide variety of legal opinions and B2B contracts, including :

• Commercial agreements with business customers
• Agreements supporting finance functions (e.g. loan documentation)
• ICT agreements covering cloud and professional services, software licensing, digital and e-commerce platforms, and data management
• Agreements with insurance providers
• Supplier and procurement agreements

Agreements supporting new business development initiatives

Providing advice on UK corporate governance, light company secretarial duties, and regulatory compliance, particularly within a consumer-facing, FCA-regulated environment

Working closely with commercial and compliance teams to deliver pragmatic, commercially focused legal solutions, often within tight deadlines

Skills and experience

• University full degree in law / qualified barrister / solicitor;
• Advanced contract drafting skills
• At least 5 years of previous experience in an international environment, such as in-house legal or in top-ranked law firms
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with both commercial colleagues and the wider group
• Motivated to work in a high-performance and complex environment
• Pragmatic, open-minded and commercial
• High ethical standards and integrity

Team-oriented

Please Note : We do not contact or write to unsuccessful candidates. If we have not contacted you within 48 hours of your application, you should presume that your application was unsuccessful. By applying for this vacancy, you are permitting for Oakley Recruitment to contact you and retain your details. In compliance with the regulations (April 2004) in place under the Employment Agencies Act, Oakley Recruitment will require proof of identification. A copy of your passport, birth certificate and NI number will be required, as part of your interview process.