We’re supporting a well-established, values-led organisation in the education and franchise sector with the appointment of an In-House Solicitor. This is a broad in-house role offering genuine autonomy, commercial exposure, and the opportunity to shape legal strategy across the business.
The Role
As the organisation’s internal legal lead, you’ll take overall responsibility for ensuring compliance across all relevant legal and regulatory frameworks. Acting as a trusted adviser to senior leadership, you’ll balance legal rigour with commercial pragmatism, identifying and managing risk while enabling the business to operate effectively and confidently.
This is a hands-on role covering both strategic and operational legal matters, with line management responsibility for a small team and oversight of external legal providers.
Key Responsibilities
Act as the organisation’s internal solicitor, ensuring compliance across all relevant jurisdictions
Provide pragmatic legal advice, guidance, and training to stakeholders across the business
Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts and documentation
Identify, assess, and manage legal and regulatory risk, escalating business-critical issues appropriately
Advise on franchise agreements, data protection, safeguarding, health & safety, and business compliance
Manage child protection matters where required, including liaison with local authorities and statutory bodies
Oversee the procurement and management of external legal services and associated budgets
Ensure compliance with Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) requirements
Provide legal updates on relevant legislation and case law
Contribute to business continuity planning and respond to urgent legal issues as they arise
Prepare reports and updates for senior leadership and executive meetings
Line manage and develop members of the legal team
Support cross-functional projects and attend meetings as required (including occasional travel)
About You
Essential:
Qualified Solicitor with four consecutive practising certificates
Strong experience in contract review and negotiation
Proven background in a commercial, in-house or business-facing legal environment
Experience managing both contentious and non-contentious matters
Sound understanding of legal and regulatory risk management
Excellent communication skills and attention to detail
Organised, pragmatic, and comfortable managing multiple priorities
Desirable:
Experience within a franchise-based business
In-house legal team experience
Exposure to data protection and safeguarding matters
Experience managing external legal providers and budgets
Project management experience
Personal Attributes
Professional, personable, and commercially minded
Confident, proactive, and action-orientated
Strong negotiator and logical thinker
Collaborative leader with the ability to influence at senior level
Additional Information
Flexibility around working hours where required
Willingness to travel within the UK and occasionally overseas
Full UK driving licence preferred
If you’re an experienced in-house solicitor looking for a broad, impactful role with real influence across a values-driven organisation, we’d love to hear from you!