UKIFS Head of Legal and Governance (General Counsel)

UK Atomic Energy Authority; Retford; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK authority in energy is seeking a Head of Legal and Governance to provide strategic direction and oversight for legal and governance functions. The ideal candidate will act as the principal legal adviser, leading legal teams and partners to ensure compliance while supporting robust organizational objectives. This role requires significant legal expertise, leadership capability, and a commitment to ethical and effective governance. Full-time position based in Retford, England, with no remote work options.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate teams.
• Extensive expertise in various legal fields including employment, property, and corporate governance.
• Proficient in public sector procurement regulations and the Companies Act.

Responsibilities

• Lead all legal services and ensure compliance across the organization.
• Oversee contracts, agreements, and legal documents to protect the company's interests.
• Manage legal disputes and litigation in coordination with external counsel.

Skills

General Counsel

Legal Case Management

Legal Drafting

Litigation

Intellectual Property Law

Legal Counsel

Legal Research

Securities Law

Employment & Labor Law

Real Estate Law

Negotiation

Contracts

Education

Degree level or equivalent experience

Qualified lawyer with significant post-qualification experience

Job description

The Head of Legal and Governance (General Counsel) is a senior leadership role responsible for the strategic direction delivery and continuous improvement of the UKIFS legal and governance functions.

The postholder acts as principal legal adviser to the Board C‑Suite and Executive Team ensuring that all activity operates within the law and in accordance with the highest standards of governance ethics and regulatory compliance. They lead the in‑house legal and company secretarial teams and provide strategic direction over the Company’s engagement with external legal advisors influencing company policy, managing legal and regulatory risk and representing the organisation’s interests externally in legal, regulatory and stakeholder forums.

In your role you will be taking accountability to deliver :

Accountability 1: Legal Strategy and Risk Management

Responsibilities :

• Provide strategic leadership for all legal services across the organisation ensuring advice and support enable the delivery of objectives while safeguarding compliance and reputation.
• Provide expert legal counsel and guidance to senior management and a wide range of legal issues including corporate governance, regulatory compliance, contracts, employment law and litigation matters.
• Identify legal risks and opportunities that may impact the company’s operations or objectives and develop proactive strategies to mitigate risks and capitalize on opportunities.
• Oversee the negotiation, drafting and review of contracts, agreements and other legal documents to ensure compliance with legal requirements and protect the company’s interests.
• Oversee the engagement and performance of external legal firms and ensure alignment with the company’s legal needs, value for money and quality standards while fostering productive and collaborative relationships to support the achievement of strategic objectives.
• Manage and oversee legal disputes, litigation and regulatory proceedings involving the company and work with external counsel as necessary to resolve disputes in a timely and cost‑effective manner.
• Develop and implement the organisation’s legal strategy to ensure it supports long‑term business sustainability and aligns with corporate priorities.
• Lead for legal on major legal negotiations, contracts, joint ventures, partnerships and other complex commercial transactions.
• Oversee management of all disputes, litigation claims and regulatory investigations ensuring appropriate strategies are in place to minimise risk and cost.
• Act as the senior authority for interpreting and applying legislation affecting the organisation including corporate regulatory, employment, environmental and commercial law.

Accountability 2: Governance, Compliance and Ethical Leadership

Responsibilities :

• Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of governance structures and processes.
• Oversee the Company Secretary and Executive Office functions providing clear leadership and guidance to ensure effective delivery.
• Partner with senior management and the Board to enable transparent, accountable decision‑making.
• Provide strategic leadership of UKIFS governance, compliance and ethics frameworks ensuring integrated systems and best practice.
• Champion integrity and ethical business practices embedding compliance and accountability throughout the organisation.
• Ensure full compliance with statutory, regulatory and governance requirements including Companies Act duties, industry regulations, competition law and public reporting obligations.
• Influence and shape governance policies at a strategic level aligning with long‑term organisational goals and regulatory expectations.
• Act as a trusted adviser to the Board Chair and Chief Executive on governance effectiveness, risk appetite and regulatory relationships.

Accountability 3: Strategic Influence, Policy and External Representation

Responsibilities :

• Influence and shape organisational policy and strategy through expert legal and governance advice at Board and Executive level.
• Engage with external stakeholders including regulators, government departments (in particular UKIFSs sponsor department DESNZ), industry bodies and professional networks to represent the organisations position and shape policy outcomes.
• Provide legal and governance input into corporate strategy, business planning and investment decisions.
• Monitor and evaluate emerging legal, regulatory and political developments advising the Board on strategic implications and positioning.
• Represent the organisation in major legal negotiations, arbitrations and strategic partnerships ensuring outcomes align with business and ethical standards.
• Advise the Board and CEO on significant legal risks and mitigations exercising sound independent judgment on matters of corporate significance.

Accountability 4: Leadership, People and Organisational Capability

Responsibilities :

• Build and lead a high‑performing Legal and Corporate Governance team in UKIFS including the Company Secretary and UKIFS Executive Office providing guidance, mentorship and support.
• Help drive leadership intent and priorities throughout the organisation ensuring understanding and helping continuously improve organisational effectiveness.
• Lead the effective delivery of a world‑class legal service to UKIFS as it transforms into a company with a complex operating structure and multiple large delivery partners.
• Develop a strong understanding of the business and ensure effective legal support to UKIFS in delivery of its objectives.
• Provide effective legal oversight, advice and guidance across UKIFS teams.
• Manage departmental budget prioritising expenditure and ensuring value for money in legal services and external advice.

Accountability 5: Assurance, Reporting and Oversight

Responsibilities :

• Ensure robust systems of legal and governance assurance are in place and integrated into the organisations risk management framework.
• Develop and implement internal policies, procedures and best practices to ensure legal compliance, risk management and ethical conduct throughout the organisation.
• Oversee the preparation of legal and compliance reports for the Board Audit and Risk Committee and regulators.
• Establish key performance indicators for legal and governance performance and oversee regular reporting to senior leadership.
• Act as the senior approver for all legal submissions and compliance attestations.

Accountability 6: Leadership Mindset and Culture

Responsibilities :

• Foster a positive and inclusive team environment that aligns with our cultural values.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to team members promoting professional development.
• Contribute to maintaining a respectful and collaborative workplace valuing diversity and promoting teamwork.
• Act as a cultural ambassador representing our organisational values and professionalism in interactions with colleagues, clients and stakeholders.
• Lead by example demonstrating integrity, professionalism and ethical behaviour.
• Make informed decisions and solve problems effectively considering diverse perspectives and organisational goals.

Qualifications : Essential :

• Degree level or equivalent experience.
• Qualified lawyer with significant post‑qualification experience.
• Excellent leadership skills with the ability to build, inspire and motivate teams.
• Knowledge and understanding of public sector procurement regulations, UK public sector law, Companies Act.
• Significant experience as senior legal advisor in an organisation significant in size and/or complexity.
• Understanding of public sector governance frameworks and regulatory requirements.
• Track record of deploying strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to provide strategic legal advice.
• Extensive expertise in a broad spread of legal areas to cover employment, property, JVs and other partnering or collaboration models, procurement, corporate governance.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Track record of dealing with complex matters with multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, negotiation and collaboration skills.
• Creative problem‑solver with a demonstrated ability to tailor communication style to diverse audiences and creatively resolve negotiation barriers.
• Ability to work in a complex fast‑moving and evolving environment.
• Insightful business awareness with the ability to understand, analyse changing business context and landscape to assess and manage risk, capitalise on emerging opportunities, make sound evidence‑based judgements and promote the interests of the company.
• Excellent ability to operate influence and negotiate with senior stakeholders.

Beneficial :

• Experience of working with new organisations and making them thrive with an ability to work in an adaptable and agile manner.
• Experience performing or overseeing the Company Secretary function in an organisation.
• Experience working in a matrix and project‑based environment and with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience working in both public and private sectors.

We welcome applications from under‑represented groups particularly women in STEM and individuals from British black and ethnic minority backgrounds and individuals with disabilities. Our Executive team supported by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organisation. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.

UKIFS is committed to being accessible. Please email if you have any questions or require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis – for example changes to the way we interview or share information.

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) including the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions. Whilst not required at this time there is a possibility of SC Clearance being required in the future. If a candidate already holds an SC clearance that clearance can be transferred to UKIFS.

For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years please visit the following link for information on criminal records checks: If your country of residence or previous residence is not listed on the website or if the UK Government does not have information on obtaining a criminal records check from that state we regret to inform you that we cannot process your application.

Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications. We may consider your application for future positions or similar positions within the organisation.

We have a number of exceptional opportunities available at the moment to view them all please visit Careers - STEP.

Remote Work : No

Employment Type : Full‑time

Key Skills

• General Counsel
• Legal Case Management
• Legal Drafting
• Litigation
• Intellectual Property Law
• Legal Counsel
• Legal Research
• Securities Law
• Employment & Labor Law
• Real Estate Law
• Negotiation
• Contracts

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1