Company Solicitor
hace 4 días
Cardiff
In-House Company Solicitor / Head of Legal / Group Legal Counsel Location Cardiff, UK Reporting To Group Chairman and the Board of Directors Employment Type Full Time, Permanent Salary £60,000 - £80,000 Role Overview: BGI is seeking an experienced, commercially focused In-House Company Solicitor to provide legal support and advice across our diverse group of businesses. The successful candidate will act as the principal legal adviser to the Group, delivering pragmatic legal advice that supports commercial objectives while protecting the interests of the business. Take responsibility for all legal matters across the businesses within the Group. The role covers a broad spectrum of legal disciplines, with particular emphasis on corporate acquisitions, employment law, commercial contracts, corporate governance and risk management. Working closely with Directors and senior management, the successful candidate will provide strategic legal guidance on both day-to-day operations and long-term business growth. Key Responsibilities Corporate Acquisitions & Business Growth • Lead the legal aspects of company acquisitions, mergers and disposals., • Manage legal due diligence exercises., • Draft, review and negotiate Share Purchase Agreements (SPAs), Asset Purchase Agreements (APAs) and associated legal documentation., • Identify and mitigate legal and commercial risks during transactions., • Support post-acquisition integration across the Group., • Liaise with external solicitors, accountants and professional advisers where required. Commercial Contracts • Draft, negotiate and review a wide variety of commercial agreements including:, • Customer contracts, • Supplier agreements, • Service agreements, • Consultancy agreements, • Confidentiality Agreements (NDAs), • Terms and Conditions, • Framework Agreements, • Partnership and Joint Venture Agreements, • Licensing Agreements, • Provide commercially focused legal advice to operational teams., • Develop and maintain standard contract templates across the Group. Employment Law Provide expert legal advice on all employment matters including: • Employment contracts, • Executive service agreements, • Disciplinary and grievance procedures, • Redundancies, • TUPE transfers, • Settlement agreements, • Performance management, • Equality, diversity and discrimination issues, • Employment Tribunal claims, • Restrictive covenants, • HR policies and procedures Support the HR team in ensuring compliance with current employment legislation and best practice. Corporate Governance & Compliance • Advise Directors on corporate governance responsibilities., • Ensure compliance with Companies Act requirements and other applicable legislation., • Support Board meetings with legal advice where appropriate., • Maintain legal documentation relating to the Group structure., • Monitor changes in legislation affecting the business., • Assist in developing internal governance procedures and compliance frameworks. Legal Risk Management • Identify legal risks across all six businesses., • Develop practical solutions to minimise commercial exposure., • Manage disputes, litigation and pre-action matters., • Instruct and manage external legal advisers where specialist support is required., • Assist with insurance claims and risk-related matters. General Legal Support • Act as the Group's primary legal adviser., • Provide practical and commercially balanced legal advice to Directors and senior managers., • Support strategic business initiatives and expansion plans., • Deliver legal training where appropriate., • Build strong working relationships across all Group companies. Person Specification Essential Qualifications • Qualified Solicitor in England and Wales., • Current Practising Certificate., • Minimum 5 years' post-qualification experience (PQE) (preferred)., • Strong experience in commercial law, corporate transactions and employment law. Essential Knowledge & Experience • Corporate acquisitions and due diligence., • Commercial contract drafting and negotiation., • Employment law advisory experience., • Company law and corporate governance., • Legal risk management., • Dispute management., • Working directly with senior stakeholders., • Commercial decision-making. Desirable Experience • Previous in-house legal experience., • Experience supporting a multi-company group structure., • Company secretarial knowledge., • Experience across multiple sectors., • Data Protection (UK GDPR)., • Intellectual Property., • Regulatory compliance. Skills & Competencies The successful candidate will demonstrate: • Excellent legal drafting skills., • Strong commercial awareness., • Exceptional negotiation abilities., • Strategic thinking., • Sound judgement., • Excellent verbal and written communication., • High attention to detail., • Strong organisational and project management skills., • Ability to prioritise multiple complex matters., • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision., • Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills., • Absolute discretion when handling confidential information. Personal Attributes • Commercially minded., • Professional and ethical., • Approachable and collaborative., • Proactive., • Solution focused., • Resilient under pressure., • Confident advising Board-level stakeholders., • Highly organised with excellent attention to detail. What We Offer • Opportunity to shape the legal function of a growing group of six businesses., • Direct involvement in strategic acquisitions and commercial growth., • Exposure to a broad range of legal work., • Competitive salary commensurate with experience., • Company pension scheme., • Generous annual leave., • Professional development and continuing legal education support., • Modern offices based in Cardiff., • Hybrid working options following successful completion of probation. Equal Opportunities We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is treated fairly and with respect. We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. This job description is intended to outline the principal duties and responsibilities of the role. It is not exhaustive, and the post holder may be required to undertake additional duties consistent with the level of the position and the needs of the business.