General Counsel

General Counsel - Hybrid

About the Role:

Step into a pivotal leadership role with our esteemed in-house client as their Experienced General Counsel. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead the legal function of a dynamic organization, ensuring robust legal governance, shaping strategic business decisions, and safeguarding the company’s interests.

The role sits as part of the Board and is responsible for defining and developing the internal legal, risk and governance framework; ensuring strong legal and regulatory compliance whilst supporting operational planning to assist value creation in a legally compliant manner.

As part of the Board, and Company Secretary you will lead on corporate governance whilst supporting the CEO and Chairman in discharging Board responsibilities in an efficient and effective approach. To work with the business-wide SLT, across the Group to deliver the strategic ambitions with due regard to regulatory, contractual and compliance challenges and opportunities to create value; whilst supporting cultural awareness within the SMG to legal and compliance frameworks.

The Legal & Compliance function should be seen as customer responsive, commercial, pragmatic and value focused.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Legal Leadership: Provide high-level legal counsel to the executive team and board on critical matters including mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, e-commerce, and distribution of goods and services.
• Governance and Compliance: Deliver strategic support to group companies and senior executives, enhancing governance frameworks, legal compliance, and ensuring that policies and procedures are rigorously fit for purpose.
• External Relations: Develop and manage relationships with external law firms, ensuring that legal services are both appropriate and cost-effective.
• Cross-Jurisdictional Oversight: Manage and oversee legal compliance across various jurisdictions, addressing and resolving complex legal issues spanning multiple departments.
• Team Management: Lead and mentor a team of internal lawyers, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment.
• Strategic Advice: Offer expert legal guidance on a wide range of strategic issues, evaluating and balancing multiple inputs to inform decision-making.
• Drafting and Negotiation: Draft and negotiate agreements to minimize risk and maximize legal rights, while handling complex and significant legal matters.
• Legislative Awareness: Stay abreast of legislative changes and their potential impact on the organization.

Ideal Candidate:

• Proven Experience: Extensive experience as a General Counsel or in a senior legal role within a business environment, demonstrating a strong track record of strategic legal leadership.
• Broad Legal Expertise: Deep understanding of corporate law, litigation, employment law, compliance and regulatory matters, and how legal issues impact organizational operations.
• Exceptional Judgment: Superior analytical and judgment skills, with the ability to provide clear, strategic legal advice in a fast-paced and agile environment.
• Communication Skills: Excellent communication skills with high attention to detail and the ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

Work Environment:

While the organization values the benefits of hybrid working, they are open to a flexible model that blends office presence and remote work based on business requirements.

Next Steps:

Please submit your CV along with your current location, salary and notice period. Origin Legal is managing a variety of in-house vacancies across the UK. If you are a seasoned Solicitor exploring new opportunities, we invite you to connect with us for a confidential conversation.

Origin Legal adheres to the best practice recruitment guidelines set by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). Our advertisements use PQE/salary levels as a guide, but we welcome applications from all candidates who demonstrate the requisite skills and experience for the role.