Legal Director

Key Responsibilities

Lead innovator and negotiator for all transactions, including exceptionally complex transactions.

Oversee quality of overall output, including delivery or oversight of complex drafting.

Provide direction on tactics, research, and contextual awareness.

Serve as senior liaison point with business stakeholders on the above.

Support the legal function by providing legal expertise and services, including:

• Supporting internal business units in strategy and execution of corporate objectives.
• Reviewing, amending, and approving legal structures and contracting methods.
• Providing subject matter expertise for compliance and governance.
• Leading contractual negotiations with external lawyers and/or counterparties.
• Ensuring CXO/Director level signatories within the Group are fully aware of risks, mitigations, and key legal issues in any contractual commitment for the Group.

Strategic Roles and Responsibilities

• Lead innovative thinking alongside the Chief Legal Officer.
• Drive formulation of strategic goals and their practical implementation.
• Provide drafting oversight and control in relation to all transactions except exceptionally complex transactions.
• Oversee team as compliance enforcers, ensuring adherence to relevant laws and industry best practices.
• Maintain contacts with senior external experts for matters requiring specialist advice.

Functional Roles and Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Chief Legal Officer and Senior Legal Counsels to ensure legal concerns requiring senior-level input are addressed promptly.
• Oversee investigation of legal claims and complaints by or against the Group, prepare analyses to ensure top management is informed of all aspects of claims or allegations.
• Assist in the formation of new businesses and verticals, and the restructuring of existing businesses and verticals.
• Oversee final terms and conditions for all key contracts between the Group and other parties and provide these to the Chief Legal Officer for final approval.
• Participate in or lead management meetings as required, offering legal strategic direction and guidance.
• Advise heads of department and key management on legal matters pertaining to their responsibilities, potential liabilities, exposures, and tactical options to facilitate fully informed decisions in line with relevant scopes of authority.
• Comprehensively and succinctly synthesize large volumes of information with meticulous attention to detail.
• Maintain company governance awareness and ability to draft company governance documentation, including Memoranda of Association.
• Adopt a solution-oriented approach in a practical and compliant manner, aligned with corporate governance and principles.
• Understand key financial documentation for businesses such as balance sheets, profit and loss accounts, and matters driving costs and profits.

People Management Roles and Responsibilities

Guide and motivate team members to enhance performance and produce quality work, ensuring a spirit of continual development and learning within the Legal Department.

Lead complex transactions.

Education and Certification

Graduate degree or above, ideally in law (or law plus conversion).

Years of Experience

Minimum 12 years post-qualified experience (minimum 14 years overall experience).

Languages

Fluent English.

Additional Requirements

Historic experience of either a top-tier international law firm or a complex regional in-house role at a pedigree and relevant organization.