Head of Legal - Corporate and Finance

Ocado Technology Group; Hatfield; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in online retail is seeking a Head of Legal – Corporate and Finance to provide strategic legal counsel on corporate matters, manage a team, and support executive leadership. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in corporate law, particularly in M&A and finance, and will play a crucial role in shaping the legal team's vision. This position offers a hybrid work model and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

30 days’ remote work policy

Wellbeing support via apps

25 days annual leave

Pension options with employer matching

Private Medical Insurance

Income Protection

Paid maternity and paternity leave

Interest-free Train Ticket loan

Cycle to Work Scheme

Discounts on Ocado.com

Qualifications

• At least 7 years PQE in corporate law, with experience in M&A and finance transactions.
• Ability to work autonomously and effectively with senior management.

Responsibilities

• Lead legal and commercial advice on mergers and acquisitions.
• Manage and develop junior legal team members.
• Oversee legal input for corporate transactions and compliance.

Skills

Corporate Law

Finance Law

M&A Transactions

Risk Management

Stakeholder Communication

Education

Qualified Solicitor or Barrister

Strong Academic Credentials

Job description

Ocado Group is an equal opportunities employer and as such makes every effort to ensure that all potential employees are treated fairly and equally, regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, age, disability, or union membership status.

About Us

Our teams are putting the world’s retailers online using the cloud, robotics, AI, and IoT. We provide services to partner clients globally via our innovative advanced robotics technology, known as the Ocado Smart Platform ("OSP"), which drives our highly automated, multi-million pound Customer Fulfilment Centres (CFCs). In our CFCs, along with proprietary software applications, we operate a world-class online grocery business that automates the single pick of products, ready for your online delivery.

About the role

The Head of Legal – Corporate and Finance will lead the delivery of strategic legal and commercial advice across the Ocado Group, focusing on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, capital markets, and other transactional matters—both in the UK and internationally. This role includes supervising and developing other Legal Counsel within the team.

The ideal candidate will provide high-quality, timely legal counsel on all aspects of corporate and finance law, playing a key role in shaping and executing the legal team’s strategic vision. A collaborative mindset is essential. The successful candidate will build strong, trusted partnerships across all levels of the organisation, including with executive leadership, to support Ocado’s continued and sustainable growth.

The role will also provide critical support to the Associate General Counsel and may represent them in senior leadership and management forums—helping to drive strategic decisions and ensure legal considerations are embedded in the company’s broader business agenda.

Accountabilities

1. Being a trusted strategic partner for key stakeholders across the business, including the CFO and other Executive Directors, and the go-to subject matter expert for all corporate and finance legal matters for Ocado Group.
2. Proactively identifying legal changes that could affect our operations and strategic priorities, working with relevant stakeholders to develop solutions and achieve advantageous outcomes.
3. Managing, coaching, and developing junior team members to deliver high-quality, commercial advice in a timely manner.
4. Overseeing all legal input for domestic and international corporate and M&A transactions, investments, reorganisations, and all corporate financing and capital market transactions.
5. Drafting and advising on intra-group arrangements and agreements.
6. Supporting the integration of new and existing investments and acquisitions.
7. Fostering a results-oriented culture within the team.
8. Anticipating, identifying, and advising on potential legal issues in corporate and financing arrangements, collaborating with relevant teams.
9. Ensuring corporate governance compliance, including competition/antitrust and market abuse policies, in transactions.
10. Applying a pragmatic and customer-focused approach to risk management.
11. Communicating effectively and adapting responses to stakeholders in challenging situations.
12. Managing external counsel to deliver risk and cost-effective legal support.
13. Contributing to legal team strategy and initiatives to raise its profile.
14. Developing and providing legal training and updates to the business.
15. Creating standard contract templates and know-how materials for corporate and finance matters.
16. Building and maintaining relationships with external counsel.
17. Improving legal systems and operations, including automation.
18. Supporting the legal budget for corporate and finance transactions.
19. Supporting and developing the wider Legal team.

About you

• Qualified solicitor or barrister with a corporate law specialism and at least 7 years PQE (candidates with less experience but demonstrating necessary skills will also be considered).
• Trained at a leading law firm or well-regarded in-house team, with strong emphasis on corporate and finance transactions.
• Extensive experience in domestic and cross-border transactions, including managing complex M&A deals, capital raisings, reorganisations, joint ventures, and general corporate advisory work.
• Proven ability to work effectively with senior management and operate autonomously in challenging situations.
• Strong academic credentials.

Preferred (additional) experience

• Experience within an in-house legal team.
• Antitrust / competition law expertise.
• Experience working with technology organizations.

What we offer you

Our employee benefits are designed for your well-being. We regularly review our benefits to support our employees:

• 30 days’ remote work policy.
• Wellbeing support via apps and Employee Assistance Program.
• 25 days annual leave, increasing to 27 after 5 years (plus optional holiday purchase).
• Pension options, including employer matching up to 7%.
• Private Medical Insurance (within the first month).
• Income Protection (up to 50% of salary for 3 years) and Life Assurance (3x salary).
• Paid maternity and paternity leave.
• Interest-free Train Ticket loan.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Shuttle buses to train stations.
• Participation in Sharesave and Buy as You Earn schemes.
• Discounts on Ocado.com and free delivery (within the first month).

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