Location: Southampton, England, United Kingdom
Head of Legal, Risk & Compliance
Zenergi was founded in 2003 to simplify energy procurement and help organisations make smarter, more sustainable choices. We support compliance and sustainable energy choices while preparing for the UK’s critical energy transition. This role, located in Southampton, is part of a growing, dynamic team dedicated to legal, risk and compliance leadership.
Key Responsibilities
1. Legal Leadership & Governance
* Act as the senior legal adviser, providing pragmatic and commercially focused advice to the Board and Executive Team.
* Ensure full compliance with company law, governance standards and statutory obligations.
* Manage company secretarial duties including Companies House filings, board documentation and shareholder communications.
* Support directors in understanding and fulfilling their statutory duties.
* Deliver legal support to HR on employment law issues, including contracts, consultancy agreements and internal policies; advise on disciplinary, grievance, restrict and termination matters.
* Advise on corporate structure, shareholder agreements and subsidiary management.
2. Contracts & Commercial Management
* Develop and oversee the contract management framework: drafting, negotiation, approval and maintenance of key agreements.
* Review, draft and negotiate commercial contracts such as energy supply, brokerage, commission-sharing, consultancy, advisory, data sharing, supplier, subcontractor, NDA and framework agreements.
* Maintain and update standard templates and terms to support commercial efficiency and risk control.
* Advisory on contract strategy, risk allocation, limitation of liability, indemnities, warranties and termination rights.
* Provide legal support for tenders, procurement processes and strategic partnerships, including cross‑border agreements.
3. Regulatory & Compliance Oversight
* Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations governing energy broking and consultancy, including Ofgem guidance and industry codes.
* Oversee and enhance the compliance framework, policies and procedures to maintain ISO certifications and achieve additional Group‑wide ones.
* Monitor regulatory developments, advising on implementation requirements.
* Liaise with regulators, auditors and accreditation bodies.
* Own customer onboarding and compliance processes, ensuring effective controls and oversight.
* Lead internal compliance reviews and audits, ensuring findings are addressed promptly.
* Promote a culture of compliance and ethical business practice throughout the organisation.
* Own H&S policy and practices and external certification.
4. Data Protection & Information Governance
* Oversee compliance with UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 across all operations.
* Develop and maintain data protection policies, processing registers and breach management procedures.
* Act as or supervise the company’s Data Protection Officer.
* Ensure contracts include appropriate data protection provisions and third parties meet data security standards.
* Lead responses to subject access requests, data breaches and regulator communications.
5. Litigation, Disputes & Claims
* Manage legal disputes, client claims and regulatory investigations efficiently and with a commercial lens.
* Lead early‑stage dispute resolution and mediation.
* Instruct and oversee external counsel, managing cost, scope and quality of advice.
* Maintain oversight of potential liabilities, settlements and legal exposure across the group.
6. Training & Awareness
* Develop and deliver targeted training on legal, contractual and compliance topics (anti‑bribery, data protection, conduct in regulated markets).
* Promote compliance awareness and foster accountability and good governance across all departments.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Essential
* Minimum of 5 years in a comparable role.
* Comfortable delivering through a virtual team with accountability for compliance.
* Ability to hold business owners accountable for their responsibilities.
* Legal or compliance background and experience in internal and external auditing.
* Understanding of GDPR, financial regulations and health & safety.
* Policy writing skills.
Desirable
* Experience in the Energy Industry or similar legislative demands.
* Experience in the Construction Industry.
* Experience maintaining ISO‑certified management systems.
* Experience with FRS legislation.
Qualifications
* Legal or Compliance related qualification.
* NEBOSH / IOSH.
* ISO Lead Auditor / Internal Auditor.
* CQI or IRCA certificate in Quality Management.
Personal Characteristics
* Excellent communication and presentation skills.
* Exceptional attention to detail.
* Excellent contract, report and policy writing skills.
* Authority at all organisational levels.
Benefits
* Job Type: Permanent
* Working hours: 09:00–17:00 with a half‑hour lunch break.
* Salary: Competitive.
* Benefits include: 25 days paid holiday, pension scheme (employer 4%, employee 5%), PerkBox, birthday day off and salary‑sacrifice electric car scheme.
* Regular Personal Development Plan (PDP) meetings with line manager and supported CPD opportunities.
About Zenergi
Zenergi is a utilities & environmental consultancy committed to a positive impact in the energy sector. We aim to simplify energy management for businesses, helping them reduce costs and carbon emissions. We have served over 4,500 customers, including educational facilities, care groups, local authorities and housing associations across the United Kingdom.
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