We are looking for a Senior Legal Counsel with extensive experience and expertise in providing strategic legal guidance to join our newly created in-house Legal team on a part-time basis. Reporting to the Executive Director of Ethics, Compliance & Governance, the Senior Legal Counsel will have the opportunity to serve as the primary legal decision-maker and provide proactive advice and counsel on complex legal issues relating to commercial, contract and IP law.   

Our Future Health will be the UK’s largest ever health research programme, bringing people together to develop new ways to detect, prevent and treat diseases. We are a charity and a company limited by guarantee, supported by the UK Government, in partnership with charities and industry. We work closely with the NHS and with public authorities across all nations and regions of the UK. 

Our plan is to bring together 5 million volunteers from right across the UK who will be asked to contribute information to help build one of the most detailed pictures we have ever had of people’s health. Researchers will be able to use this information to make new discoveries about human health and diseases. So future generations can live in good health for longer. 

What you’ll be doing  

The Senior Legal Counsel will join a newly established Legal team managed on a day-to-day basis by the in-house Data Protection Officer & Legal Counsel and will effectively ensure legal conformity and minimise probability of exposure.  Key responsibilities will include but not be limited to:  

• Serve as the organisation's principal legal advisor, providing strategic counsel to executive leadership and the Board of Trustees on legal risks, opportunities, and implications associated with key business decisions and initiatives.  
• Give accurate and timely counsel to the organisation in legal matters relating to commercial, IP, and corporate law.  
• Assist relevant business functions in the drafting, review, and negotiation of a number of commercial contracts (including investor commercial terms, licences, non-disclosure agreements, sponsorship agreements etc.) to best protect the commercial and legal interests of the business and create added value.  
• Contribute to legal conversations across a range of topics, including charity law, partnerships, employment, and tax law, and to the drafting of agreements, contracts, and other legal documents from a variety of sources. 
• Supporting the in-house Data Protection Officer & Legal Counsel with internal requests for legal advice and records of instructions to external legal counsels.  
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams and departments, including Ethics, Compliance & Governance, Procurement and Strategic Partnerships. 
• Develop and implement the organisation's legal strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements, while conducting comprehensive legal analysis and risk assessments to proactively mitigate risks. 
• Stay abreast of emerging legal and regulatory developments in the health research sector, anticipating potential impact on the organization and advising on appropriate courses of action.  
• Advise on the management of disputes and advising on strategy for resolution including risk assessment, negotiating settlements, and drafting correspondence.   
• Provide training, and awareness on key regulations to the relevant organisational functions. 
• Specify internal governance policies and regularly monitoring compliance.  
• Provide mentoring and guidance to the in-house Data Protection Officer & Legal Counsel to enable them to grow into their role and lead the Legal function. 

Requirements

You will have demonstrative expertise in providing strategic legal advice and support to organisations operating in highly regulated environments, and to their executive leadership, with a track record of serving as the primary legal advisor in complex and high-stake matters.  

To succeed, you will have the following skills and experience: 

• English law qualified solicitor with extensive post-qualification experience (PQE) in a leading law firm and/or in-house legal department.  
• Excellent knowledge of contract, commercial and IP law with experience from a leading law firm or in house.  
• Previous experience or background of working in the Life Sciences.  
• Experience in negotiation of a variety of agreements with a focus on commercial contracts acting both as a customer and a supplier.  
• Proven track record of leading and executing complex transactions and negotiations, with strong drafting and negotiation skills.  
• Strong leadership abilities, with experience in and willingness to mentor junior legal staff.   
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to distil complex legal concepts into clear and actionable guidance for non-legal stakeholders and merge input from across the board.  
• Experience in risk assessment, good judgement, and risk mitigation.  
• Ability to support the successful implementation of organisational objectives and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.  
• Business-oriented, quick to understand and analyse new business and technology.  
• Curiosity and willingness to learn about the science which underpins Our Future Health.  
• Previous experience or background of working in a charity or in a start-up environment is advantageous.  

Benefits

• Competitive basic salary.  
• Generous company pension package with employer contributions of up to 12%. 
• 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays). 
• Continuous career development with regular appraisals and learning and development opportunities. 
• A lovely new office in Holborn, Central London – we offer flexible and remote working arrangements. 

Join us - let’s prevent disease together.