Head of Legal

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Summary

We're looking for a seasoned in-house lawyer to lead our legal team, working alongside our programmatic, operations, and communications teams to drive meaningful change worldwide. Reporting directly to our Director of Governance, you'll play a pivotal role in managing legal risk, providing insightful, pragmatic legal advice, and empowering Climate Group to achieve its strategic goals.

This role covers a broad scope, from intellectual property and contracting to data protection and more, within a dynamic, international context. Whilst the majority of our team and work is contracted out of the UK you'll need a background in global legal matters and the flexibility to navigate new markets, including collaborating with external counsel when needed.

If you're passionate about using your legal expertise to advance global sustainability, we'd love to hear from you.

About the role
The Legal team at Climate Group is at the heart of our operations, supporting every area of the organisation. We work closely with Programme, Governance, and Finance teams to ensure the smooth delivery of legal and contractual arrangements. This includes leading contract administration, drafting and reviewing agreements, resolving issues through negotiation, and embedding a culture of contract compliance across the organisation.

As Head of Legal, you will lead a dedicated team to deliver timely, commercially focused legal advice on a broad range of matters. Your remit will include managing our legal framework, ensuring GDPR and data-sharing compliance, safeguarding intellectual property and trademark portfolios, and overseeing commercial contracts - all while aligning with our strategy, culture, and decision-making processes.

Beyond providing legal advice, you will play a proactive role in identifying and mitigating legal risks, staying ahead of regulatory and market developments, and ensuring the organisation is always prepared for the challenges and opportunities these present.

As a Head, you will be a leader within the wider organisation, bringing your unique perspectives to strategy discussions and collaborating in cross-organisational working groups.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement legal strategies that align with Climate Group's objectives, creating scalable processes to support and strengthen the organisation's legal framework.
• Identify and assess legal risks, providing tailored, proportionate strategies to manage and mitigate them, ensuring Climate Group's interests are safeguarded.
• Provide expert advice on a range of commercial and legal issues, including managing the registration, maintenance, and protection of Climate Group's trademarks and intellectual property in funding and contractual arrangements.
• Oversee and enhance Climate Group's data protection framework, ensuring robust compliance with data protection laws, privacy policies, and data-sharing practices.
• Advise on programme-specific legal requirements, including competition law and lobbying rules across the jurisdictions in which we operate, while anticipating future needs to support Climate Group's growth and strategic priorities.
• Deliver training and share knowledge to build legal awareness across the organisation, providing regular updates on key legal areas and best practices.
• Lead and inspire the Legal team, providing vision and strategic direction. Oversee team structures, processes, and recruitment, while fostering a culture of motivation, performance excellence, and continuous professional development.

About you

You are a highly motivated and analytical legal professional with a creative approach to problem-solving. You excel at assessing complex matters, identifying potential challenges, and delivering practical, effective solutions. As a leader, you will manage a skilled legal team, supporting Climate Group's activities by advising on and mitigating legal risks across the organisation.

With a proven track record as in-house counsel or in a similar role, you thrive in fast-paced, multifaceted environments. Your strong leadership and interpersonal skills enable you to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels, fostering collaboration across teams and regions.

Essential

• UK-qualified solicitor with excellent commercial awareness and in-depth knowledge of regulatory and data protection laws.
• Proficient in drafting and negotiating contracts to deliver strategic partnerships and effective arrangements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, capable of managing risk and devising solutions to complex issues.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, balancing resource optimisation with team development and growth.
• Outstanding time management and prioritisation skills, with the ability to navigate conflicting demands and deliver results.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships with colleagues at all levels and in all of Climate Group's international offices.
• A collaborative team player, committed to fostering a culture of continuous improvement across the team and the wider organisation.

Desirable

• Knowledge of IP asset management and trademark portfolio management.
• International experience and cross border legal work.

Our location

You'll be based in our London head office near Tower Bridge (SE1 2NQ) and enjoy the benefits of flexible and hybrid working: 3 days in the office and 2 days from home.

As well as having excellent green credentials, our brand new open-plan workspace offers the ultimate flexibility for your working day, whether you're working collaboratively, hosting a hybrid meeting with your global colleagues, or need some focus time in an acoustic booth or at a standing desk. The building is accessible for people living with disabilities, and offers a well-equipped gym, secure bike parking and showers.

What we offer

Our people are at the heart of what we do. You'll be joining a global community of bold, ambitious doers who are committed to driving climate action fast.

This is a permanent position. The salary offered is £75,000 to £80,000 per annum, based on experience.

Many of our people work flexibly in many different ways, including part-time. Please talk to us at interview about your preferred ways of working and if we can make it work for the role and within the team then we will.

In addition to the rewards you'll find from working with friendly, passionate people who'll challenge and help you grow, we offer a fantastic benefits package:

• 25 days' holiday per year, plus public holidays
• 10% non-contributory pension scheme following three months' service
• Hybrid and flexible working
• Cash plan and private medical insurance on completion of probation
• Supportive family policies including enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave as well as fertility treatment support
• Monthly wellbeing allowance plus Headspace membership
• Paid leave for volunteering, moving house and getting married
• Life assurance cover from first day
• E-bike/bike loan scheme of up to £1,000
• Season ticket loan scheme
• Comprehensive learning and development initiatives to help you reach your full potential, including access to LinkedIn Learning

Apply now

Submit your application now using the 'Apply' button.

Applications for this position should come in the form of a CV and one-page cover letter covering why you want to work with Climate Group and how your experience, skills and knowledge relate to the competencies outlined above.

If you need any further information, require the job advert in an accessible format, or need additional support at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Nicol Forster, Director of Governance, [email protected].

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday, 15 December 2024 . We may hold interviews on a rolling basis therefore welcome and encourage early applications.

The requisite eligibility criteria, or work visa to work in the UK are a requirement for this position and no relocation and/or sponsorship costs will be borne by Climate Group.
Please note we will not be engaging recruitment agencies for this role.