Job Description
ISS Facility Services now have an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled and commercially minded Head of Legal Affairs to provide strategic legal leadership across the UK & Ireland.
This senior leadership role oversees all non‑employment legal matters, ensuring strong governance, effective risk management and full alignment with group-wide legal and compliance frameworks. Operating as a key adviser to the Country Leadership Team, the position safeguards the organisation’s legal, regulatory and reputational standing while supporting business growth, operational delivery and transformation.
Job Overview
We are looking for an experienced legal professional who can shape and embed high-quality legal standards across the UK & Ireland business, ensuring alignment with group principles and governance frameworks.
As a member of the UK & Ireland Senior Leadership Team and part of the Group Legal Leadership Team, this role works in close partnership with Finance, Risk & Compliance and Group Legal, providing expert guidance on corporate, governance, disputes, insurance and strategic matters.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide pragmatic, commercially focused legal support across the UK & Ireland, including drafting, negotiating and advising on customer contracts in line with the Legal Playbook and Delegated Authority Matrix (DAM).
* Lead on disputes and litigation for the region, partnering with the business, managing external counsel and providing reporting to senior leadership and Group Legal.
* Advise on corporate legal matters including transactions, restructuring and governance, working closely with Finance, Treasury and group stakeholders.
* Maintain and embed the Delegated Authority Matrix, ensuring alignment with overarching governance frameworks.
* Deliver company secretarial support, including board and leadership meeting minutes, statutory records and regulatory filings.
* Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements including sanctions, anti-bribery and corruption, competition law and the Code of Conduct, supporting audit and reporting activities.
* Provide legal oversight on property matters such as leases, acquisitions and disposals, collaborating with property teams and external advisers.
* Partner with the Insurance Manager and Group Insurance to oversee insurance programmes, provide risk advice and support complex claims.
Professional and Personal Competencies / Qualifications
* Strong experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial customer contracts within a facilities services, outsourcing or service-led environment, with a focus on risk mitigation and margin protection.
* Proven capability managing UK disputes and litigation, including external counsel management and senior leadership reporting.
* Solid understanding of corporate governance, company secretarial requirements and delegated authority frameworks.
* Demonstrated knowledge of key UK regulatory compliance areas including sanctions, ABC, competition law and corporate governance.
* Experience advising on corporate transactions, property matters and restructuring in collaboration with finance and operational teams.
* Ability to oversee insurance programmes, claims and insurable risk across operational and supply chain environments.
* Commercial, pragmatic legal leader with strong stakeholder engagement skills at senior levels.
* Experienced people leader with a track record of developing and supporting junior legal team members.