Head of Legal, Risk

Head of Legal, Risk & Compliance

Department: Finance

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Southampton

Description General purpose:   Founded in 2003, Zenergi set out to simplify energy procurement, empowering organisations to make smarter, more sustainable choices, whilst also offering solutions to help organisations comply better and use better with their energy needs.  Now, Zenergi being ideally placed to succeed in the critical Energy Transition the UK is undertaking. We have clear routes to growth and exciting plans for the coming years   The Head of Legal, Risk & Compliance is responsible and accountable for providing strategic and operational leadership across all legal, risk and compliance matters ensuring that all areas of the organisation remain compliant. This role ensures that the company's energy broking and consultancy activities are conducted lawfully, ethically, and in alignment with commercial objectives and regulatory requirements.    The position safeguards the business against legal and contractual risks, supports growth through robust commercial agreements, and maintains strong governance and compliance frameworks.

Key Responsibilities Key Responsibilities:   1. Legal Leadership & Governance

• Act as the company's senior legal advisor, providing pragmatic and commercially focused advice to the Board and Executive Team.
• Ensure the company operates within its constitutional and statutory framework, maintaining full compliance with company law and governance standards.
• Manage company secretarial responsibilities, including Companies House filings, board documentation, and shareholder communications.
• Support directors in understanding and fulfilling their statutory duties.
• Provide legal support to HR on employment law issues, including employment contracts, consultancy agreements and internal policies.  Plus advise on disciplinary, grievance, restricting and termination matters
• Advise on corporate structure, shareholder agreements, and subsidiary management.

  2. Contracts & Commercial Management

• Develop and oversee the company's contract management framework, including drafting, negotiation, approval, and maintenance of key agreements.
• Review, draft, and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts, including:
• Energy supply, brokerage, and commission-sharing agreements
• Consultancy and advisory service contracts
• Data sharing and processing agreement.
• Supplier and subcontractor contracts
• Non-disclosure and framework agreements
• Maintain and update standard templates and terms to support commercial efficiency and risk control.
• Advise on contract strategy, risk allocation, limitation of liability, indemnities, warranties & termination rights.
• Provide legal support for tenders, procurement processes, and strategic partnerships.
• Support cross-border agreements where clients or partners operate internationally.

  3. Regulatory & Compliance Oversight

•  Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations governing energy broking and consultancy activities, including Ofgem guidance and industry codes of conduct.
• Oversee the compliance framework, policies and procedures to ensure regulatory obligations are met, helping the company to maintain existing ISO certifications and drive for additional Group-wide ones
• Monitor regulatory developments affecting the energy and environmental services sectors and advise on implementation requirements.
• Liaise with regulators, auditors, and accreditation bodies as the company's primary point of contact for compliance matters.
• Own customer onboarding and compliance process from a governance & risk perspective, ensuring oversight of appropriate controls and processes across the organisation.
• Lead internal compliance reviews and audits, ensuring findings are addressed promptly.
• Promote a culture of compliance and ethical business practice throughout the organisation.
• Own H&S policy and practices and external certifications.

  4. Data Protection & Information Governance

• Oversee compliance with the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 across all operations.
• Develop and maintain data protection policies, data processing registers & breach management procedures.
• Act as or supervise the company's Data Protection Officer (DPO).
• Ensure that all contracts include appropriate data protection provisions and that third parties meet the company's data security standards.
• Lead responses to subject access requests, data breaches, and regulator communications.

  5. Litigation, Disputes & Claims

• Manage all legal disputes, client claims, or regulatory investigations efficiently and with a commercial lens.
• Lead early-stage dispute resolution and mediation to preserve client and supplier relationships.
• Instruct and oversee external legal counsel where necessary, managing cost, scope, and quality of advice.
• Maintain oversight of potential liabilities, settlements, and legal exposure across the group.

  6. Training & Awareness

• Develop and deliver targeted training on legal, contractual, and compliance topics including anti-bribery, data protection, and conduct in regulated markets.
• Promote awareness of compliance obligations and foster a culture of accountability and good governance across all departments.

  This is an exciting time to be joining Zenergi and we are looking for a dynamic and motivated individual who is ready to get involved, challenge the status quo and grow with us as a company.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise Requirements – experience:   Essential

• Minimum of 5 years working in a comparable role
• Must be comfortable delivering through a virtual team, as accountability for ensuring compliance sits with this role, whilst some day to day responsibilities sits elsewhere in the organisation
• Able to hold the relevant business owners and areas accountable to deliver their responsibilities 
• Legal or compliance background
• Internal and external auditing
• Understanding of general legislation including GDPR, financial, H&S
• Policy writing

  Desirable

• Experience of working in the Energy Industry or a business with similar legislative demand.
• Experience of the Construction Industry
• Experience of maintaining ISO certified management systems
• Experience of FRS legislation 

Requirements – qualifications
  Desirable

• Legal or Compliance related qualification
• NEBOSH / IOSH
• ISO Lead Auditor / Internal Auditor
• CQI or IRCA certificate in Quality Management

Requirements – personal characteristics

• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Excellent contract, report and policy writing skills
• Authority at all levels of the organisation 

Benefits Other points:

•  Job Type: Permanent
• Working hours: 09:00 – 17:00 with half hour lunch break
• Salary: Competitive
• Benefits

• Some of these include: 25 days paid holiday, Pension scheme current minimum contributions are 4% Employer 5% Employee, Perkbox, Birthday day off and salary sacrifice electric car scheme.
• Regular Personal Development Plan (PDP) meetings with your line manager and supported CPD opportunities.

---