Head of Legal Services

Head of Legal Services needed in Bury Paying £500 per day ref 000A BAAC / 1

Full time hours on a temporarybasis

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Governance
  • Act as deputy to the General Counsel/Company Secretary; attend Board and Executive meetings and provide authoritative legal guidance.
  • Manage and/or investigate conduct and compliance matters; advise on codes, protocols and constitutional/governance issues.
  • Draft, review and present clear reports and legal input for executive and board papers.
• Service Delivery & Quality
  • Ensure the business and its stakeholders receive robust legal advice, assistance and representation (including advocacy where appropriate).
  • Maintain compliance with professional and regulatory standards (e.g., SRA) and relevant quality frameworks; uphold internal policies and discipline standards.
  • Review and enhance procedures, workflows and systems; set SLAs and performance metrics; evaluate outcomes and implement improvements.
• People & Operations
  • Lead recruitment, training, CPD and performance management for the legal team.
  • Oversee resource planning, leave and flexible working in line with HR policy.
  • Promote the legal function, prepare service plans and manage panel firms/outsourced counsel.
  • Own and optimise the legal tech stack (matter management, e-billing, document automation) to improve efficiency and control cost.
  • Manage the legal budget and external spend; deliver savings and value.
• Policy, Training & Horizon Scanning
  • Support business units to draft/review strategies, policies and procedures.
  • Monitor legislative and case-law changes; brief stakeholders on impacts.
  • Design and deliver training on legal and compliance topics.
• Litigation & Dispute Resolution
  • Lead or oversee complex/sensitive litigation and ADR (mediation/arbitration) in relevant courts/tribunals.
  • End-to-end casework: evidence review, legal analysis, strategy, pleadings/documents, witness statements, service/filing, listings, bundles/costs, advocacy or instruction of Counsel, client updates, negotiations, appeals and enforcement.

If you are interested in the role, please email your CV to verity@essentialemploy.co.uk quoting the reference number.

Essential Employment is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy. Essential Employment is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

All our roles may be subject to pre-employment checks including references so please be prepared