Head of Legal

JR United Kingdom; London; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Head of Legal to lead its legal and risk functions within a dynamic team. This senior role involves managing complex legal tasks, including contract drafting and corporate governance, while providing strategic advice to the executive team. You will navigate legal challenges across real estate, hospitality, and events, ensuring compliance and protecting the organization's interests. If you are a legal leader with extensive corporate experience and a hands-on approach, this opportunity offers a chance to shape the company's strategy and drive impactful decisions in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in corporate/commercial law with a focus on real estate.
• Proven ability to negotiate complex contracts and manage legal teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead contract management, ensuring compliance and protecting company interests.
• Oversee legal risk management and governance across the organization.

Skills

Corporate/Commercial Law

Contract Negotiation

Legal Risk Management

Governance and Compliance

Real Estate Transactions

Team Leadership

Data Privacy

IP Law

Education

Law Degree

Post-qualification experience

Job description

A prominent organization within the events, hospitality, and property sectors is looking for a Head of Legal to take the lead in managing and overseeing its legal and risk functions within a small legal team. This senior position reports directly to the CFO and plays a critical role in shaping the company’s strategy, navigating complex legal issues, and ensuring the business operates smoothly across its diverse portfolio.

Role Overview

The Head of Legal will be the senior legal advisor to the executive team, responsible for the company’s legal risk management and corporate governance. With a hands-on approach, you will handle complex legal tasks directly, including contract drafting, negotiating corporate agreements, and providing real-time advice. You will also lead the legal strategy for key business areas including corporate structuring, joint ventures, acquisitions, and real estate development.

This role requires a strategic mindset and practical legal experience, managing legal issues that affect the business’s operations in real estate, hospitality, and large-scale events.

Key Responsibilities

1. Contract Management: Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial, real estate, and funding agreements, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and protecting the company’s interests.
2. Corporate Structuring & Transactions: Lead corporate structuring exercises, and manage joint ventures, acquisitions, and debt financing. Take ownership of legal due diligence processes and act as the primary negotiator for complex transactions.
3. Legal Risk Management: Oversee and proactively manage legal risks across the organisation, including IP issues, GDPR compliance, insurance claims, and contentious matters.
4. Governance & Compliance: Work closely with the Risk & Compliance Manager to ensure internal compliance is maintained across the group, providing regular reports to the CFO and CEO.
5. Team Leadership: Manage a small legal team and ensure effective support across various functions. Mentor and develop direct reports, promoting a culture of continuous learning and professional growth.
6. Stakeholder Management: Act as the main legal contact for external stakeholders, including law firms, planning consultants, and insurance specialists.

About You

We’re looking for a legal leader with broad corporate/commercial experience, ideally gained within an in-house role or at a leading law firm. You should be adept at working in fast-paced environments, able to handle complex legal issues with both strategic vision and hands-on problem-solving skills.

Skills & Experience:

1. Extensive post-qualification experience in corporate/commercial law, with a strong focus on real estate, transactions, joint ventures, and acquisitions
2. Proven track record of negotiating complex contracts and advising on commercial decisions with significant business impact
3. Strong understanding of risk management, compliance, and governance
4. Demonstrated ability to draft and review legal documents with a keen eye for detail
5. Experience in leading legal teams and managing external legal service providers
6. Hands-on approach to legal work and comfortable working across multiple areas of law, including data privacy, IP, and regulatory compliance