These are exciting times for the charity, and we now have an excellent opportunity for a solution-oriented and highly professional self-starter with outstanding diplomatic and interpersonal skills to join the busy Legal and Governance Department.
If you are a qualified Solicitor or Legal Executive in England & Wales, then apply today!
Position: In-House Legal Counsel
Location: Devon/hybrid (onsite attendance currently anticipated to be 1-2 days per week)
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week, 08.30-16.30, Monday-Friday
Salary: £52,000 per annum
Contract: 12-month fixed term contract starting as soon as possible
Closing date: 6 March 2025. We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the advertised date and therefore encourage early submissions.
About the Role
As Legal Counsel, you will play a pivotal role in identifying, managing, and mitigating legal risks to protect the Charity’s interests and uphold its reputation. Working as part of a dedicated legal team, you will be responsible for delivering a high-quality legal service that supports the Charity’s strategic objectives and operational needs, providing expert legal advice and guidance across a wide range of matters, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and best practices.
Your principal duties and responsibilities will include:
1. Providing accurate, relevant and timely advice to internal clients across a broad range of legal topics.
2. Identifying and assessing legal risks across the Charity’s activities and developing effective strategies to mitigate them.
3. Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide range of legal agreements, including grant-funding agreements, research and collaboration agreements, Memorandums of Understanding and other bespoke contracts.
4. Liaising closely with external law firms, maintaining contract management processes to ensure strong control of costs, compliance and the provision of high-quality and cost-effective legal support.
5. Advising on governance matters, ensuring compliance with relevant laws, including health and safety, safeguarding, company law, and fundraising regulations.
6. Keeping up to date with legal developments, identifying areas for improvement within the Charity.
7. Supporting the development of more efficient legal processes and workflows to enhance operational effectiveness.
About You
You will be a qualified Solicitor or Legal Executive in England & Wales, with substantial post qualification experience in commercial / contract law, either in-house or with a reputable law firm.
You will also have:
1. Strong business acumen with the ability to assess and manage legal risk and offer commercial/practical advice.
2. Strong technical legal skills, including research, analysis, and drafting.
3. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively explain legal points and their impact on the Charity clearly and concisely to stakeholders.
4. A willingness to learn and step outside of your comfort zone regarding the type of legal work you carry out.
What you get in return…
1. 31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 with each full year of service.
2. Wellbeing team.
3. Recorded Pilates classes.
4. Subsidised restaurant and shop.
About the Organisation
The sanctuary is one of the UK’s largest international animal welfare charities, currently supporting projects in over 35 countries worldwide, working for a world where donkeys and mules live free from suffering and their contribution to humanity is fully valued.
The Charity is a Disability Confident Employer, committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults) and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post.
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