Head of Legal Services

Incommunities; Bradford; Hybrid; GBP 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Pension scheme

28 days annual leave

Training & development

Mindful Employer accreditation

Job summary

Incommunities in Bradford seeks a Head of Legal Services to provide expert contract-law guidance and strategic oversight. The role leads internal and external legal teams, drafts and negotiates contracts, and manages budgets to support the organisation's goals.

The successful candidate will shape the legal framework, risk management, and training programmes. A UK-qualified solicitor or barrister with 7+ PQE is required.

Qualifications

• Solicitor, barrister or equivalent qualified lawyer with 7+ years PQE in contract law.
• Right to practice law in the UK.
• Experience in Corporate / Charity / Commercial and Contract law.
• Strategic leadership and budget management experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all legal activity and spend for the organisation; ensure value for money and high-quality service.
• Oversee internal legal teams (litigation and property services) and manage their budgets.
• Point of contact for partner law firms; conduct quarterly reviews and optimise value.
• Provide monthly progress reports to Executive Management Team and Board as needed.
• Draft, negotiate and vet contracts and legal documents and agreements.
• Establish a legal framework and bespoke training to mitigate key risks.

Skills

Contract law

Leadership

Negotiation

Strategic thinking

Education

Qualified solicitor or barrister

Job description

We are recruiting a qualified Head of Legal Services, specialising in contract law to join our team. This is a highly visible role, providing expert legal advice and strategic guidance to support executive decision-making and organisational goals. You will play a key role in mitigating legal risk, ensuring compliance and providing effective legal oversight across the organisation. This is a great opportunity for someone looking to make a positive and lasting difference.

About us

We are a social housing landlord and one of the largest housing providers in the region with over 22,000 social and affordable homes, mainly in the Bradford district. We employ a talented workforce of nearly 1,000 people.

In 2024 we launched our five-year Corporate Strategy, which runs to 2029. Our purpose is to provide high quality homes, services, and support to our customers, so we’ve worked with colleagues and customers to find out what’s important to them. Our customers sit at the heart of what we do, and our colleagues are the people who’ll help us achieve our vision, which is to create the best customer experience to improve everyday lives.

Duties include:

• Oversee all legal activity and spend for the organisation; ensuring value for money is achieved as well as delivering a high-quality legal service from both internal and external lawyers.
• Oversee the operation of the internal legal teams (litigation and property services) and the effective management of their budgets.
• Point of contact for our partner law firms - holding quarterly review meetings to ensure high quality of service is provided within their terms of engagement as well as optimising their added value services.
• Provide monthly progress reports to the Executive Management Team (EMT) and elevate relevant legal risks / issues accordingly - presenting to EMT and Board when required
• Senior legal advisor to Executive, Directors and Senior Leaders on relevant legal matters – supporting our legal needs and drafting, negotiating and vetting contracts, legal documents and agreements.
• Establish a legal framework which aims to deliver a bespoke legal training programme which helps mitigate our key risks.
• Effectively manage both strategic and operational legal risks within the established risk tolerance.

• Solicitor, barrister or equivalent qualified lawyer with substantial post-qualification experience (minimum 7 years PQE) in contract law.
• Bring the right to practice law in yourjurisdiction.
• In-depth legalexpertisewith an understanding of legal principles and practices, alongside specific knowledge in at least one of the following areas of law: Corporate / Charity / Commercial and Contract.
• Possess proficient senior-level Business Management experience and the capacity toattainenhanced cost-effectiveness and achieve economies of scale.
• A strategic mindset with experience in business planning, performance management and value.
• Ability toshowcasestrong leadership and diplomacy skills, effectively motivate others to achieve serviceobjectives, anddemonstratingthe ability to collaborate successfully with senior leaders and Directors.
• Housing law knowledge is desirable as well as commercial law.
• Right to work in the UK - Visa sponsorship is not available
• A basic DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check will be required for the successful candidate as part of the pre-employment process - Criminal Conviction Checks

• Salary of £90,236 per year
• Social Housing Pension Scheme with up-to 10% employer contribution
• 28 days annual leave that increases with service plus bank holidays
• Option to buy and sell annual leave
• Training, development, and qualification opportunities
• Our Hub: our wellbeing and benefits site, with exclusive access to discounts and savings (at over 800 retailers)
• Corporate health scheme membership
• Hybrid working with 2 days in the office per week
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Local gym membership discounts.
• A team of trained Mental Health First Aiders who are available for colleagues to contact for support

Join Our Team!

We’re looking for great people to join us! AtIncommunities, we’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, included, and supported. We actively welcome applicants from all backgrounds, abilities, and experiences—because we know thatdiverse perspectives make us stronger.

Based inBradford, a city known for its rich cultural diversity, we servevibrant communities. As a social housing provider, we’re passionate about making a real difference by providingsafe, affordable homesandimproving lives.

Our recruitment process is designed tosupport you every step of the way. If you need any adjustments or assistance, just let us know.

We’re proud to be aMindful Employer, committed to mental health and wellbeing. We also hold the‘Committed’ Menopause Friendly Accreditation, recognising the importance of support in the workplace.