Director, Legal, UK & Europe

As AHEAD continues its global expansion, we are seeking to appoint AHEAD’s first in-house Director of Legal, UK & Europe. Reporting to the Vice President, Legal (US), this role will establish, develop and lead the regional legal function, as the principal legal adviser across the region. You will provide commercially focused legal advice, establish appropriate governance, legal risk and compliance frameworks, enable business growth, and partner with executive stakeholders to support strategic initiatives across the region while ensuring legal and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Lead all commercial legal matters across the UK & Europe, including drafting, reviewing, negotiating and advising on complex customer, supplier, technology, cloud, software, hardware, professional services, procurement, subcontractor, confidentiality, and strategic partnership agreements.
Develop and lead the regional legal and compliance framework, ensuring alignment with applicable UK, EU and local regulatory requirements.
Provide strategic employment law advice across UK & Europe, working closely with People & Culture and external legal advisers where appropriate, supporting organisational change, acquisitions, restructures, executive matters and complex employee relations issues.
Lead the management of UK & Europe disputes, litigation and external legal advisers, managing external legal spend and the performance of external legal advisers.
Act as a trusted adviser to the UK & Europe Leadership team, and partner with People and Culture, Sales, Finance, Operations and Procurement to develop commercially effective governance and decision-making frameworks and enable commercially sound business decisions.
Provide strategic legal risk assessments, balancing commercial objectives with appropriate governance and advising senior leadership on risk appetite and mitigation, escalating as appropriate.
Sponsor continuous improvement of legal operations, technology and processes.
Work collaboratively with global Legal to drive consistency while accommodating local legal requirements.
Undertake other responsibilities consistent with the seniority of the role and contribute to the ongoing development of the global Legal function.

Educations and Experience

Essential

Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) or Barrister holding a current practising certificate.

Significant post-qualification experience (PQE), gained in private practice and/or in-house legal roles, including advising senior executives within and international commercial environment.

Desired

Extensive experience in a senior in-house legal role within an international or technology-focused organisation.

Demonstrable experience supporting multinational organisations and cross-border legal matters.

Knowledge, Skills and Leadership

Proficient in legal research methodologies and legal information resources.  

Exceptional commercial judgement with the ability to deliver pragmatic, risk-based legal advice.

Excellent time management, with the ability to prioritise conflicting priorities, meet critical deadlines, and operate in a fast-paced environment while maintaining productivity. 

Excellent communication, influencing and executive stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively where appropriate.

Knowledge of litigation disclosure, document preservation and e-disclosure processes.

Knowledge of UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and applicable EU data protection legislation.

Demonstrates absolute discretion, integrity and sound professional judgement when handling confidential and commercially sensitive matters.

Physical Requirements

Hybrid

This is a hybrid role based in the UK with an expectation of approximately three days per week in the office (Reading, UK).

Travel

Occasional travel throughout the UK, Europe and internationally will be required.