Head of Legal

Leading Charity in West Sussex looking for Head of Legal (Full-time perm role).

Your new company

One of the largest charities in the UK, HQ based in West Sussex.

Your new role

• Liaise with external counsel on legal/complaints actions and other legal issues as required and review their performance annually
• Responsibility for contracts management including implementation of a robust process, maintaining the contracts register, negotiation of new contracts and renewals, and review of Service User and Supplier contracts/agreements
• Partner with the Procurement Officer on new and existing supplier contracts and agreements, ensuring a robust process for the review of 'local' contracts (liaising with services) to identify and resolve any risks or unacceptable clauses.
• Provide a proactive approach to contract monitoring working with operations to ensure consistency and identify issues.
• Work with the Head of Estates and the Director of Corporate Services to coordinate all property legal work, including property sales, purchases and property leases and ensuring thorough execution of legal documentation with the Board of Trustees.
• Advise the Board of Trustees and the Senior Management Team (SMT) on all statutory and constitutional requirements to ensure that business is conducted in a proper, timely and effective manner.
• Attend Trustee Board and Committee meetings as necessary and establish a good working relationship with the Trust's non-executive directors, providing them with the appropriate level of support and guidance.
• Contribute to meeting discussions as and when required and advise stakeholders on the implications of proposed policies.
• Keeping the Board of Trustees and SMT informed of all governance and legal information relevant to them and provide any necessary training and/or guidance to ensure that they are aware of their responsibilities with regards to procedure.
• Ensuring the appropriate adherence by the Board and its Committees to the Articles and relevant Terms of Reference, as well as maintaining and updating them as appropriate.
• Review the guidance relating to charity law and company law given to the Trust's Trustees and Directors on appointment and thereafter, ensuring they are kept up to date.
• Liaise with the Board Secretary to oversee the arrangements for the conduct of elections to the Board of Trustees and any relevant committees.
• Maintaining and updating the statutory records, ensuring the timely filing of annual returns, financial statements and statutory returns.
• File all necessary forms and documents at Companies House, as required by the Companies Act 2006 and complete any necessary filing with the Charity Commission.
• Partner with relevant stakeholders (internal e.g. service managers, finance etc. and external e.g. funders) to ensure timely investigation and resolution of all enquiries and requests.
• Identify discrepancies in reporting and missed targets, highlighting possible penalties and supporting/monitoring the development of action plans to resolve issues.
• Ensure the Trust complies with procedures in connection with lotteries, legislation and legal implications of fundraising activities including trading companies. In addition, ensure compliance to legislation relating to campaigning.
• Responsibility for updating appropriate corporate policies within the Company Secretary's remit.
• Responsible for all insurance requirements across the Trust, including reviewing cover by negotiation with the Trust's insurance brokers, maintaining all insurance documentation and insurance claims and completion of the Government database for all insured vehicles.
• Carry out, at all times, your responsibilities with due regard to the Trust's aims and objectives to the highest possible standard.
• Undertake any other duties appropriate to the role, as delegated by the Director of Corporate Services, Chief Executive and Chair.
• Participate in meetings and undertake relevant training as required, keeping up to date with best practice and guidance.

What you'll need to succeed

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with minimum 6+ year PQE
• Proven experience in a similar role and strong management experience of contracts and insurances
• Excellent Financial awareness with an understanding of the principles of managing financial assets
• Able to recognise and proactively respond to risk situations. Stays up to date with appropriate legislation and professional standards
• Good team player with excellent communication and presentation skills, team management experience will be highly preferred
• Solid understanding and experience legislation, governance requirements and best practice ideally within a Health & Social Care setting and the compliance needs of a charity. Demonstrated career record of being accountable and legal activities and reporting associated to role
• Experience of a high standard of business writing with proven experience of documenting complex and confidential commercial meetings and proposals
• Strong commercial acumen with good business skills, able to review and identify opportunities

What you'll get in return

Competitive salary package in public sector, 38 days holidays including bank holidays, remote work at the moment but minimum 1 day per week can attend to the office after the pandemic.

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.

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