Head Of Legal

 

Description:

We are looking for an experienced commercial contracts lawyer to be a Head of Legal to support the Chief Legal Officer (CLO). Experience of working within financial services and/or Islamic finance is also desirable.

The successful candidate will take responsibility for managing the Client legal team. We are looking for a self-starter who is driven and is able to drive other team members. Someone who is able to manage the team, but is also able to roll their sleeves up and get things done on their own. We are looking for someone with a strong work ethic, who is organised and able to deliver on time.

 

Role Description:

1. Legal Strategy:

(a) Work with the CLO to develop and implement legal strategies to support Client’s business objectives as the company evolves. (b) Partaking in meetings of Client’s Senior Leadership Team including Business Committee, product development and operations team meetings to drive business roadmap projects forward.

2. Team Management:

(a) Manage and develop a high-performing and collaborative legal team (including assisting with recruitment). (b) Set ongoing priorities, SLAs, and KPIs for the legal team, manage deliverables, and ensure timely delivery. (c) Set and manage the legal budget. (d) Communicate effectively with other teams within Client on legal matters and queries.

3. Contract Drafting and Management:

(a) Review, draft, and negotiate a variety of contracts, agreements, and legal documents to support Client’s ongoing business. (b) Support with reviewing and enhancing the drafting of Client’s existing home finance and savings products. (c) Support with structuring and legal due diligence for equity and other types of investments and capital-raising transactions.

4. Risk Management:

(a) Identify and assess legal risks associated with business operations and provide proactive solutions. (b) Set up legal policies and work closely with internal and external stakeholders to implement compliance and risk mitigation strategies. (c) Stay abreast of legal and regulatory changes and ensure compliance with relevant requirements and industry standards.

5. External Professional Advisers:

(a) Assist with deciding when and how to instruct external legal counsel and other professional advisors. (b) Manage such advisors, including ensuring each provides or works to comprehensive and clear scopes of work and fees, delivery, and value for money.

6. Corporate Governance:

(a) Oversee corporate governance matters. (b) Oversee adherence to company law requirements including board minutes and filings.

7. Disputes:

(a) Develop and implement strategies to minimise litigation risks and costs. (b) Manage and coordinate Client’s response to disputes, litigation, adverse media, and potential legal challenges, including where appropriate, seeking timely external advice.

8. Regulatory:

(a) Assist with meeting Client’s regulatory obligations.

The description of the work and responsibilities set out in this section is not intended to be exhaustive. You may be allocated other work and responsibilities from time to time as required to suit or meet the evolving and expanding needs of Client and its business.

 

Skills and Experience

Essential:

Experience in the following practice areas is essential:

• Extensive commercial contracts experience including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial contracts.

Essential Skills:

• Strong experience managing a legal team (either in-house or private practice)

• Extensive experience of drafting legal documents

• Strong communication and presentation skills

Essential Capabilities:

• Strong ability to think widely, deeply, and creatively about issues and situations across various legal practice areas.

• Strong ability to work in a relatively young organisation that is developing its products, processes, client base, staff, and market presence.

• Strong ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

 

Highly Desirable:

• A minimum of 7+ years’ post-qualification experience.

• Experience of working in or with fintechs, start-ups, or companies that are growing and scaling.

• Experience working in financial services.

• Experience working in Islamic finance.

• Experience of general corporate matters including desirable, company secretarial experience.

• Experience in structuring financial products (including experience of tax and regulation-driven structures or issues).

• Some knowledge or experience of litigation/contentious issues and dispute resolution mechanisms.

• Experience of using technology, including case management systems.