Head of Legal

We’re not just another bike brand - we're an iconic, British motorcycle brand with over 120 years of history behind us. Our new state-of-the-art facilities in Solihull, West Midlands are home to a tight-knit, but ever-expanding team that's passionate about delivering exquisite riding experiences to our customers.

Under new ownership and proud to be part of the TVS Motor family, we're entering a new era of global success. And we want you to be a part of it!

At Norton, we value respect, trust, and responsibility. We trust our employees to execute their roles exceptionally and professionally, and we value personal development, teaching, and learning. When you join our team, you'll have the opportunity to grow and learn alongside some of the most talented and dedicated people in the business.

So if you're passionate about motorcycles and looking to join a team that's shaping the future of this legendary brand, we'd love to hear from you!

The role

We are building a legal team and legal support structure for Norton from the ground up. We have made fantastic progress and now need someone to help shape and lead the Norton legal team for the next stage of its growth. The Norton Head of Legal will sit within our Senior Leadership Team and report into the General Counsel TVS Europe (who is also based at Norton). The Norton Head of Legal will be responsible for all Norton legal matters and will lead the Norton legal team.

If candidates want a legal team with all processes and policies already developed and roles clearly defined this is not the role for them. The positive is that this is genuinely a really exciting place to be with passionate people and a strong brand. It also means that we can build a fit-for-purpose future-proof legal function without loads of legacy processes we need to unwind. They need to see the opportunity and want to be part of the journey.

Duties/Responsibilities

1. Although the General Counsel TVS Europe is based at Norton and will get involved in certain higher-risk matters and will be there as a point of escalation, the role will be to be the first point of contact for all Norton legal advice, and ultimately responsible for managing all day-to-day Norton legal matters. They will be responsible (with input from the General Counsel TVS Europe as needed) for identifying the most productive and cost-effective course of action and deploying appropriate resources.
2. As with any company in growth mode the mix of work will vary depending on business needs but they will need to draft, negotiate and advise on a range of commercial contracts (from supply of parts for the bikes to and supply of services/ systems for the business to contracts with customers), IP, disputes, compliance issues (e.g. data protection) and the normal range of topics you would expect in an automotive business. As the team grows, we may get other people in to focus on certain areas of work such as IP but this won’t happen overnight.
3. Development of Norton legal strategy within the framework set by the General Counsel TVS Europe.
4. Management of external lawyers and legal budget.
5. Management of Norton legal risk. They will be expected to ensure that legal developments relevant to the business are tracked, relevant controls are in place and legal risk is proactively managed. They will be expected to put in place training and self-help tools for the business.

1. Experienced lawyer (qualified lawyer with at least 8 years PQE) – looking for someone who has worked at a senior level in an in-house team with experience of managing junior lawyers.
2. Automotive experience ideal but not essential. Ideally, mix of in-house and private practice. Experience in a consumer-facing or manufacturing business is also a positive.
3. Fit with the team is key – some days will be full on so a sense of humour is important.
4. Proactive, sensible, pragmatic, commercial and can act autonomously.
5. Drives results and wants the company to succeed – they do what they say they will.
6. They need to see and be passionate about the opportunity and want to be part of the journey. There is potential for the role to grow and for the Head of Legal to grow with it. We want someone who is going to grab the opportunity and run with it.
7. Willing to think differently and embrace innovation. For example, use of legal tech and tools.
8. It is important that Legal is viewed as a valuable part of the business and not just a legal tick box function so it is crucial that the person joining the team is approachable and will build their own network. We need someone who can gain the trust and respect of TVS, the SLT and the Directors. High levels of ethics and integrity are important.
9. Able to contribute to strategy and tactics in every area of the company.

We like to take care of our Nortoneers and we think we offer some pretty decent rewards. Here's what you'll get when you join the team:

1. Competitive salary package that recognises your skills and experience
2. A whopping 33 days of holiday (inc. Bank Hols) to relax and recharge
3. Generous pension scheme that sets you up for the future, with access to personalised advice.
4. Private Medical Insurance and a Cash Back Programme to keep you feeling your best
5. Life insurance (4x salary) because we've got your back no matter what
6. FREE fruit, got to have your five-a-day!
7. WeCare Employee Assistance Programme, which includes access to online GP services, dietary advice, mental health support, bereavement counselling, and a fitness programme
8. Experience the thrill of an entrepreneurial environment within a larger, well-funded company with ambitious long-term goals.
9. Elevate your career with our Ideas for Excellence scheme, where every brilliant idea is not just valued, but also rewarded!
10. A diverse and international team that brings together different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences.
11. Join the fun with our twice-yearly employee events, payday socials, and loads of exciting activities in between!
12. Want to go green? You can enjoy free electric bicycle hire
13. Plus, no need to stress about finding a parking spot - we've got on-site free parking covered and FREE electric charge points.
14. We know how important it is to take care of our team, and we're committed to continually improving our reward offering in line with the business growth plan.

Join us and see for yourself!

PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT ACCEPT AGENCY APPLICATIONS