Job Description We are excited to be recruiting for a Group Head of Legal responsible for litigation and legal operations across Connells Group.The ideal candidate will be a Qualified Solicitor or Barrister (within the UK) or equivalent with a minimum 10 years PQE.We are looking for someone who can demonstrate experience of overseeing and managing Legal Counsel, in-house experience of working in a large and agile organisation and commercial awareness – the ability to quickly see the bigger picture.This role is based in Milton Keynes but you will be required to travel within the UK (London, Leighton Buzzard, Manchester) as necessary.You will be required to be the gatekeeper responsible for good dispute management practice across the Group and the principal advisor on contentious matters: To oversee the effective management and operation of the litigation department. To train, supervise and line manage 2 direct reports. To develop a legal operations function to drive efficiency and promote process improvement. To be involved in Group-wide projects and initiatives, providing Stakeholders with commercial advice. To oversee Group templates and policy documents. To provide and analyse management data, to note trends, to ensure the efficient and effective running of Group Legal (Litigation). To promote Group Legal and work as a collaborative team member across the Group. We will require you to provide comprehensive, accurate and prompt legal advice and assistance to the Connells Group on all aspects of a varied and often highly complex case load, as follows: Pre-issue disputes and issue court claims: small claims track, fast track or intermediate track claims (physical Claim Forms and Claims Portal claims), regulatory claims, supplier/customer disputes, IPR issues/disputes. Advising and supporting in Serious Incident Protocol and Serious Conviction Protocol, Data Protection Operations, Debt Recovery and other operational areas, for example, tenancy issues in lettings division. Advising and supporting Financial Crime Prevention team including CDD, AML, CTO. Conducting case management / preliminary hearings / judicial mediations. The ideal candidate will have: Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain legal matters to clients in a clear, concise manner - orally and in writing. Strong drafting and negotiation, with the ability to quickly analyse information. A sensible, methodical approach with a good sense of judgement. Ability to be a sounding board and a trusted advisor. Resilient, able to take the initiative and be a motivated self-starter. Hands-on mentality. Ability to run your own caseload. Ability to manage deadlines and prioritise work. Well-organised. Professional image and sufficient gravitas to advise and influence stakeholders. Ability to work under pressure. Strong work ethic and professional attitude with the ability to act with integrity. Connells Group UK is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, transgender status, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.CF00582