We are looking for a dynamic and experienced legal professional to take on the pivotal role of Head of Legal Services at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust. This senior leadership role is a key part of our transformation journey and presents a unique opportunity to lead and shape the delivery of legal services across a large, complex, and high-performing acute Trust.
As our principal legal subject matter expert, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across all legal domains, including clinical negligence, non-clinical claims, Coroner’s inquests, judicial reviews, procurement law, risk management, and manage the Trust Legal Tendering process. You will work closely with the Executive Team to develop and deliver a forward-thinking legal strategy that ensures the Trust meets its legal obligations while enabling the delivery of outstanding care.
What We’re Looking For
We are seeking a qualified solicitor or barrister with:
* Extensive specialist legal knowledge, ideally within healthcare or public sector law.
* Proven experience of leading a legal team in a large and complex organisation.
* Excellent negotiation, influencing, and analytical skills.
* A strong understanding of NHS governance, risk, and compliance frameworks.
* The ability to work collaboratively across clinical, commercial, and corporate settings.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the Legal Services function across the Trust, aligning legal support with corporate strategy.
* Manage and procure all external legal services across the Trust, ensuring high-quality, cost-effective service delivery.
* Provide expert legal advice on high-risk matters, including complex litigation, inquests, and statutory inquiries.
* Act as the Trust’s relationship manager with NHS Resolution, external legal providers, and HM Coroner’s Office.
* Oversee all medico-legal and non-clinical claims, identifying issues early to mitigate risks and costs.
* Develop and lead improvement initiatives, using data and research to continuously improve legal services.
* Support and line manage senior legal team members, fostering a high-performing and cohesive team culture.
* Hold joint budget responsibility for Legal Services with the Deputy Chief Nurse and Chief of Nursing and Midwifery.
* Ensure all legal operations comply with relevant legislation, regulatory frameworks, and procurement requirements.
* Facilitate the process of the Trust Legal Tendering process.
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to being an inclusive and disability confident employer and has been awarded the Gold for the Armed Forces Employment Recognition Scheme. We provide first-class development opportunities for all staff and have a wide range of professional, management and leadership, and clinical skills training available.
Here at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, we know how important it is to have a healthy work-life balance; this benefits not only individuals but the patients we care for too.
Reward Package and Benefits
We recognise the highly specialist nature of this role and the competitive market for experienced legal professionals. In addition to the standard Band 8C salary, a Recruitment and Retention payment may be available, depending on the skills and experience you bring to the role. This is negotiable for exceptional candidates, particularly those with substantial experience in healthcare law or senior in-house legal leadership positions.
We are open to discussions around total reward packages for experienced solicitors who meet the essential criteria for the role. Frimley Health also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including NHS pension scheme, flexible working options, and generous annual leave entitlement.
If you’re ready to bring your expertise and leadership to a critical senior role, we would love to hear from you.
For further details / informal visits contact:
* Name: Alison Szewczyk
* Job title: Deputy Chief Nurse
* Email: alison.szewczyk@nhs.net
* Telephone: 03006134644
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