UKIFS Head of Legal and Governance (General Counsel)
Company: STEP Fusion, a subsidiary of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), leading the development of fusion sustainable energy through the STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) programme aiming for first operations around 2040.
Location: West Burton, Nottinghamshire. Onsite working is expected for 3 days each week, with flexible working arrangements supported.
Salary: £83,421 per annum.
Benefits
* Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme。
* Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a relocation allowance (if eligible).
* Flexible working options including family‑friendly policies.
* Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders.
* Generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays.
* Wide range of career development opportunities.
* A vibrant culture committed to equality and inclusivity.
Accountability 1: Legal Strategy and Risk Management
* Provide strategic leadership for all legal services across the organisation, ensuring advice and support enable delivery of objectives while safeguarding compliance and reputation.
* Provide expert legal counsel and guidance to senior management on a wide range of legal issues, including corporate governance, regulatory compliance, contracts, employment law, and litigation matters.
* Identify legal risks and opportunities that may impact the company’s operations or objectives, and develop proactive strategies to mitigate risks and capitalise on opportunities.
* Oversee the negotiation, drafting, and review of contracts, agreements and other legal documents to ensure compliance with legal requirements and protect the company’s interests.
* Oversee the engagement, and performance of external legal firms, ensuring alignment with the company’s legal needs, value for money, quality standards, while fostering productive and collaborative relationships to support achievement of strategic objectives.
* Manage and oversee legal disputes, litigation, and regulatory proceedings involving the company, and work with external counsel as necessary to resolve disputes in a timely and cost‑effective manner.
* Develop and implement the organisation’s legal strategy to ensure it supports long‑term business sustainability and aligns with corporate priorities.
* Lead legal on major legal negotiations, contracts, joint ventures, partnerships, and other complex commercial transactions.
* Oversee management of all disputes, litigation, claims, and regulatory investigations, ensuring appropriate strategies are in place to minimise risk and cost.
* Act as the senior authority for interpreting and applying legislation affecting the organisation, including corporate, regulatory, employment, environmental, and commercial law.
Accountability 2: Governance, Compliance and Ethical Leadership
* Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of governance structures and processes.
* Oversee the Company Secretary and Executive Office functions, providing clear leadership and guidance to ensure effective delivery.
* Partner with senior management and the Board to enable transparent, accountable decision‑making.
* Provide strategic leadership of UKIFS governance, compliance, and ethics frameworks, ensuring integrated systems and best practice.
* Champion integrity and ethical business practices, embedding compliance and accountability throughout the organisation.
* Ensure full compliance with statutory, regulatory, and governance requirements, including Companies Act duties, industry regulations, competition law, and public reporting obligations.
* Influence and shape governance policies at a strategic level, aligning with long‑term organisational goals and regulatory expectations.
* Act as a trusted adviser to the Board Chair and Chief Executive on governance effectiveness, risk appetite, and regulatory relationships.
Accountability 3: Strategic Influence, Policy and External Representation
* Influence and shape organisational policy and strategy through expert legal and governance advice at Board and Executive level.
* Engage with external stakeholders including regulators, government departments (in particular UKIFS’s sponsor department, DESNZ), industry bodies, and professional networks to represent the organisation’s position and shape policy outcomes.
* Provide legal and governance input into corporate strategy, business planning, and investment decisions.
* Monitor and evaluate emerging legal, regulatory and political developments, advising the Board on strategic implications and positioning.
* Represent the organisation in major legal negotiations, arbitrations, and strategic partnerships, ensuring outcomes align with business and ethical standards.
* Advise the Board and CEO on significant legal risks and mitigations, exercising sound, independent judgement on matters of corporate significance.
Accountability 4: Leadership, People and Organisational Capability
* Build and lead a high‑performing Legal and Corporate Governance team in UKIFS, including the Company Secretary and UKIFS Executive Office, providing guidance, mentorship and support.
* Help drive leadership intent and priorities throughout the organisation, ensuring understanding and helping continuously improve organisational effectiveness.
* Lead the effective delivery of a world‑class legal service to UKIFS as it transforms into a company with a complex operating structure and multiple large delivery partners.
* Develop a strong understanding of the business and ensure effective legal support to UKIFS in delivery of its objectives.
* Provide effective legal oversight, advice and guidance across UKIFS teams.
* Manage departmental budget, prioritising expenditure and ensuring value for money in legal services and external advice.
Accountability 5: Assurance, Reporting and Oversight
* Ensure robust systems of legal and governance assurance are in place and integrated into the organisation’s risk management framework.
* Develop and implement internal policies, procedures, and best practices to ensure legal compliance, risk management, and ethical conduct throughout the organisation.
* Oversee the preparation of legal and compliance reports for the Board, Audit and Risk Committee, and regulators.
* Establish key performance indicators for legal and governance performance and oversee regular reporting to senior leadership.
* Act as the senior approver for all legal submissions and compliance attestations.
Accountability 6: Leadership Mindset and Culture
* Foster a positive and inclusive team environment that aligns with our cultural values.
* Provide mentorship and guidance to team members, promoting professional development.
* Contribute to maintaining a respectful and collaborative workplace, valuing diversity and promoting teamwork.
* Act as a cultural ambassador, representing our organisation’s values and professionalism in interactions with colleagues, clients and stakeholders.
* Lead by example, demonstrating integrity, professionalism, and ethical behaviour.
* Make informed decisions and solve problems effectively, considering diverse perspectives and organisational goals.
Qualifications
Essential
* Degree level or equivalent experience.
* Qualified lawyer with significant post‑qualification experience.
* Excellent leadership skills with the ability to build, inspire and motivate teams.
* Knowledge and understanding of public sector procurement regulations, UK public sector law, Companies Act.
* Significant experience as senior legal advisor in an organisation significant in size and/or complexity.
* Understanding of public sector governance frameworks and regulatory requirements.
* Track record of deploying strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to provide strategic legal advice.
* Extensive expertise in a broad spread of legal areas to cover employment, property, JVs and other partnering or collaboration models, procurement, corporate governance.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
* Track record of dealing with complex matters with multiple stakeholders.
* Excellent verbal and written communication, negotiation and collaboration skills.
* Creative problem solver with a demonstrated ability to tailor communication style to diverse audiences and creatively resolve negotiation barriers.
* Ability to work in a complex, fast‑moving and evolving environment.
* Insightful business awareness with the ability to understand and analyse changing business context and landscape to assess and manage risk, capitalise on emerging opportunities, make sound evidence‑based judgements and promote the interests of the company.
* Excellent ability to operate, influence and negotiate with senior stakeholders.
Beneficial
* Experience of working with new organisations and making them thrive, with an ability to work in an adaptable and agile manner.
* Experience performing or overseeing the Company Secretary function in an organisation.
* Experience working in a matrix and project‑based environment, and with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
* Experience working in both public and private sectors.
Additional Information
UKIFS welcomes applications from under‑represented groups, particularly women in STEM and individuals from British black and ethnic minority backgrounds, and individuals with disabilities. Our Executive team, supported by our “Equality, Diversity and Inclusion” (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organisation. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.
This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions. Whilst not required at this time, there is a possibility of an SC Clearance being required in the future. If a candidate already holds an SC clearance, that clearance can be transferred to UKIFS.
For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years, please visit this link for information on criminal records checks. If your country of residence or previous residence is not listed on the website or if the UK Government does not have information on obtaining a criminal records check from that state, we regret to inform you that we cannot process your application.
Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications. We may consider your application for future positions or similar positions within the organisation.
To apply, please submit your CV with a Covering Letter.
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