Legal and Compliance Director

• Be part of 165 years of heritage
• A role with exceptional breadth and flexibility

About Our Client

At the heart of Wellington College is the belief in shaping tomorrow's leaders to drive meaningful change. Founded in 1853 in honour of the Duke of Wellington, the College consistently delivers exceptional academic results across GCSEs, A Levels, and the IB Diploma. But Wellington is more than a centre of academic excellence. Based at Crowthorne in Berkshire and set in 400 acres of breathtaking parkland, it blends historic heritage with cutting-edge facilities to provide a world-class education that equips students to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

The vibrant arts programme rivals the West End, state-of-the-art sports facilities, and our pioneering pastoral care is rooted in the core values of Kindness, Respect, Courage, Integrity, and Responsibility. Beyond the College, we are committed to contributing to the broader educational landscape by sharing our expertise, learnings, and innovations, aiming to foster universal improvement in education by creating bridges with both local and international schools. At Wellington, education isn't only about learning - it's a way of life and a force for wider impact.

Job Description

The Legal and Compliance Director will provide legal advice across commercial corporate and other key areas including safeguarding, property law, data protection, and compliance, ensuring the college's legal obligations align with its vision and strategy. More specifically this may include:

• Manage and review commercial contracts, aligning with international franchises.
• Handle property matters, including acquisitions, leases, and disputes, and ensure compliance with property regulations.
• Oversee intellectual property related to educational materials, research, and branding.
• Manage litigation, represent the college in disputes, and develop strategies for effective dispute resolution.
• Draft and oversee contracts and legal documents to meet the needs of international franchisees and partners.
• Negotiate license agreements and act as a legal liaison between the college's international team and overseas partners, ensuring compliance with local and international regulations.
• Offer guidance on grievance resolution, while advising on complex issues like SEND and pastoral care.
• Draft and update international agreements, maintaining consistency and legal compliance with local laws.
• Maintain and oversee the Corporate Risk Register, ensuring effective controls to mitigate institutional risks.
• Provide guidance on UK visa applications for pupils and staff, ensuring compliance with immigration laws.
• Develop and enforce an anti-bribery policy, upholding ethical standards.
• Promote GDPR awareness, manage data breaches, and report to the ICO, ensuring privacy law compliance.
• Advise on ISI processes, ensuring risk management and compliance with regulations like KCSIE.
• Liaise with the Clerk to the Governors, ensuring compliance with Companies House and Charity Commission regulations.
• Serve on the Health and Safety Committee, advising on legal matters and ensuring compliance with health and safety laws.
• Provide guidance on safeguarding laws, ensuring staff and pupil protocols comply with the Children Act and KCSIE.

The Successful Applicant

The Legal and Compliance Director will be a Solicitor or Barrister with:

• Extensive in-house experience.
• Expertise in commercial and corporate law.
• Proven ability to manage legal crises.
• Strong knowledge of data protection law and GDPR.
• Experience in cross-border agreements and international expansion (preferred).
• Some proficiency in property law.
• Skilled in risk management, contract negotiations, litigation, and external counsel management.
• Familiarity with school governance, charity law, safeguarding, and SEND matters helpful but by no means necessary.
• Excellent advisory and communication skills, with experience working with senior leadership and international stakeholders.

Most critically the individual should embody the group's core values of kindness, courage, respect, integrity, and responsibility. They should be able to prioritise tasks effectively and adapt to changing challenges while seeking opportunities for learning and growth. Confident in decision-making, they offer advice aligned with strategic goals and engage well with various stakeholders, including business leaders and dignitaries. They maintain professionalism under pressure and are driven by a commitment to excellence and personal growth and the long term Wellington vision.

What's on Offer

In addition to a competitive salary, this unique opportunity comes with equally unique benefits including a range of flexible working options, a significant remission in school fees, and access to state-of-the-art facilities set in the most spectacular of surroundings.