General Counsel

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Do you want to work in the heart of London, within one of the UK’s most iconic and culturally significant institutions?

We are delighted to be retained by Royal Parks in their search for their next General Counsel.

Royal Parks is not just a charity - it is an organisation dedicated to preserving history, protecting the environment, maintaining public spaces that are used and valued by millions, and running cultural events. With over 5,000 acres of parkland spread across the capital, you’ll be helping to protect, preserve, and enhance some of the most important green spaces in the world, including Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, and Kensington Gardens.

As a member of the Executive team, you’ll be shaping the future of Royal Parks, balancing heritage preservation with innovation. This is more than just a legal role - it's a chance to leave a lasting legacy.

The Role

As General Counsel, you will be a member of the executive management team reporting into the CEO. The role has management and oversight of the legal, governance and procurement departments. Along with the day-to-day operations of the functions your expertise will directly impact the strategic direction and operations of the organisation. You will be advising key decision-makers, ensuring governance is robust, and helping to shape the future of London's most cherished parks.

What You’ll Do

1. Oversee all legal advice across the charity:

• Be a Trusted Advisor: Provide high-level advice to the Chairman, Chief Executive, Board of Trustees, and senior management. You’ll be the go-to person for everything legal, ensuring the organisation remains compliant and legally sound.
• Shaping Strategy: As a key member of the Executive Team, you’ll have a seat at the table, helping to drive the strategic vision of Royal Parks.
• Risk Management: Identify potential legal risks and provide solutions that help mitigate them. You’ll be proactive, ensuring Royal Parks stays ahead of legal challenges before they arise.
• Governance: Oversee governance frameworks and ensure everything runs smoothly from a legal perspective.
• Engage Stakeholders: Whether it's working with internal teams, external partners, or the public, you’ll be a diplomatic leader - able to explain complex legal concepts with clarity and inspire confidence.

What We’re Looking For

• A highly experienced General Counsel and governance professional.
• A broad range of in-house legal experience – ideally commercial contracts and procurement, governance, charity law, and litigation.
• Executive-level experience advising Boards and senior leadership on legal matters. You’ll need to show that you’ve made significant, strategic legal contributions in your previous roles.
• Exceptional communication skills - you’ll need to convey complex legal concepts in clear, relatable terms, fostering understanding and building relationships at every level.

Why Royal Parks?

• Competitive Salary & Benefits.
• Flexible Working.
• A chance to work at one of the UK’s most esteemed organisations, where your contributions will make a tangible impact on the future of the country’s most treasured parks.

This is a unique opportunity to be part of an organisation that plays a vital role in the UK’s cultural and environmental landscape. If you are an experienced senior leader with a passion for protecting heritage and shaping strategy, this is your chance to make a lasting difference.

Seniority level

Executive

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Legal

Industries

Staffing and Recruiting