We’re building thriving communities as one of the UK’s largest housing groups and a leading developer of affordable housing.
We believe everyone is entitled to a good home they can afford, in a place they are proud to live. More than, people live in our homes.
If you want to experience work that’s truly rewarding, join us. Because when we achieve together, customers and communities thrive.
Work for Orbit. Believe in people.
The role
The Head of Legal Operations and Projects will help to establish and shape Orbits first in-house legal team, driving efficiency, value and innovation by leading legal operations, delivering strategic projects and building the people, process and technology needed to support our objectives.
This role is part of Regulatory & Governance where you'll help us give colleagues the support and expertise they need to be brilliant.
What you'll achieve
The Head of Legal Operations and Projects will help lead the operational transformation of the legal services delivery across Orbit, embedding people, processes, systems and culture to deliver efficient, compliant and customer-focused legal services.
1. Identify and support areas of insourcing across the legal landscape taking responsibility for recruitment and development of teams in critical areas
2. Lead and support on major legal projects across the organisation, taking accountability for project design, delivery and measurable impact
3. Lead on the development and delivery of measures to support legal projects, business cases and demonstrate value for money from insourcing legal work
4. Be a key legal leader supporting the management and development of the in-house legal team, providing management support across the team where required
5. Provide leadership, supervision and support across legal property matters supporting the development of junior colleagues and leading cultural transformation
6. Develop and execute the legal operations strategy, aligning it with the overall business and legal objectives.
7. Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of legal systems and digital tools, including case management, matter tracking and performance dashboards.
8. Support budget management, financial planning, and efforts to optimise external legal counsel spend.
9. Enhance and standardise key legal department processes, including contract lifecycle management, matter intake, knowledge management, and reporting
10. Act as a liaison between the legal department and other business units (such as Finance, IT, and Governance) and assist in the management of relationships with external suppliers, including law firms and technology providers
11. Oversee key compliance and regulatory projects (e.g. Building Safety, Homes England reporting, and governance alignment), ensuring effective delivery and risk mitigation
What you'll bring
Essential skills
12. Strong understanding of legal processes and technologies.
13. Experience of insourcing housing/property related legal work.
14. Qualified Solicitor/Legal Executive (typically 5 years PQE or more) and/or similar significant experience of legal work, leadership and supervision gained in a senior in-house position or private practice role (within the England & Wales jurisdiction).
Desirable skills
15. Experience in legal roles preferably with some experience in an in-house environment.
16. Experience of developing and/or working with others to develop legal technology solutions, specifically legal case management software.
17. Property/conveyancing knowledge gained in a law firm or in-house environment
Why Orbit?
Choosing us means being rewarded in every sense.
Here’s what you can expect to enjoy with us.
A rewarding experience that works for you
We strive to create an inclusive experience with benefits and wellbeing programmes designed to help you, and your loved ones, to thrive. For a better work life balance, we offer flexible working opportunities for many roles.
A place to progress
From training programmes to professional qualifications, we provide opportunities to learn and develop at every stage of your career. Whether you’re a student, graduate or experienced professional we’ll support you to grow.
For leaders, our tailored development journeys are designed to stretch and strengthen your leadership skills. As well as practical training, we give you access to renowned business schools and experiential programmes for greater breadth and depth of learning.
A purpose to feel proud of
We’re proud to make a difference to people together. We’re values-driven with a commercial focus on performance - because the more profit we make, the more we can achieve for people.
What brings us together is a passionate belief in progress and people.
Read more about the values and purpose that drive us on our careers website.
How we hire
We aim to make our hiring process simple and fair:
18. Online application
19. Interview(s)
20. Decision and offer
We put the safeguarding of our customers, colleagues and contractors at the heart of everything we do and as such, certain roles will be subject to a DBS check.